The digital age is a dream come true for hoarders and collectors. No affair how much digital data or data you lot amass, it won't accept up a lot of space. This means y'all don't accept to command your central instinct to search and collect, you lot tin give rein to it.

Sometimes, however, there are technical obstacles. If you're looking for a style to download YouTube videos and view them in Windows Media Role player, read on. This article will explain how to best excerpt YouTube videos and afterward enjoy them on Windows Media Player.

How It Works

YouTube streams content using wink video applied science. The corresponding file format is .flv. To download and view a YouTube video, you basically take iii options:

  1. Download and playback the video in .flv file format.
  2. Download and playback in an alternative file format.
  3. Download the .flv file and convert information technology to some other file format for playback.

This article is mainly concerned with how to view YouTube videos in Windows Media Player, regardless of how yous obtained the files and what file format they are in. Hence, we tin can neglect the third selection.

Best Download Options For YouTube Videos

To limit the confusion, I have selected only ii tools. One is a website, the other a program. Both work flawlessly. You should get with the second one, VDownloader, if you desire to download multiple videos in parallel.

Kiss YouTube

Kiss YouTube is a directly forward manner to download YouTube videos because you practise not demand to install whatever software. In addition, Osculation YouTube tin download YouTube videos in iii different file formats: 3GP, FLV, and MP4. Paired with ease of employ, that's plenty of great features for an online service.

You can either copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video into the respective field on the Osculation YouTube homepage (encounter screenshot below); OR y'all tin rename the YouTube URL, adding the word 'buss' between 'www.' and 'youtube.com/...'.

In both cases you volition be directed to a folio that lets you select your download format.

download youtube videos to computer

To go on, click the download link of your preferred file format.

VDownloader

This is a software option, which is more user-friendly if yous want to download multiple videos or wish to download from more sources than simply YouTube. Attention! The installation comes with lots of extra software options and adware, all of which you tin can opt out of. Be sure to carefully screen all your options and go with a custom installation to opt out of the Ask toolbar and homepage.

Once you lot take completed the installation, VDownloader is a great tool. As soon every bit you re-create a URL, it is pasted into the programme's > Video URL field. Side by side select your preferred > Output Format and hitting the > Download push button. While your first video is already downloading, you can go along to add together the next i.

youtube video download

The available output formats include .flv (no conversion), .avi, .mpeg, .mp3 (audio), and several more.

VDownloader was also reviewed by Karl in this article: VDownloader - Actually Easy Video Downloader Software.

Now that you accept downloaded your videos, here comes the tricky function. Per default, Windows Media Player only recognizes a express amount of file formats, the standard video file format beingness .wmv. However, none of the options above download YouTube videos in that format. And so what tin can y'all do?

Y'all need to download and install codecs so that Windows Media Player can read all those file types. Don't sweat, it's a quick and easy iii-pace-program:

  1. Go to Codec Guide and download any of the K-Lite Codec Packs, the bones one is sufficient.
  2. Install the downloaded K-Low-cal Codec Pack.
  3. Enjoy downloaded videos in Windows Media Player.
how to play youtube videos in windows media player

That'southward it.

As well check out the following YouTube-related manufactures on MakeUseOf:

  • 3 Free Means To Download YouTube Movies To Your iPhone (& Other Mobile Phones) by Jeffry
  • ten Youtube URL Tricks You Should Know Nigh by Varun

Conclusion

If you're at present wondering, why you would desire to use Windows Media Player in the first place, I congratulate you. The reply is, I don't know. Fact is, information technology'southward much easier to download a media thespian that naturally supports all these file formats. Obviously, you volition save yourself the hassle of installing codecs and trying to brand it work with WMP. If you can live without WMP and would prefer an easy option, I highly recommend [NO LONGER WORKS] VLC Media Player.

Here are some more MakeUseOf recommendations:

  • Top 5 Gratuitous Media Players For Windows by Will
  • Kantaris - A Great New Media Player Based On VLC by Simon
  • Splayer - A Portable Play-All Media Histrion for Windows past Jessica

This is the time to fess up! Do you download YouTube videos to your computer and in case you do, what is your reason? Do you mind sharing how many gigabytes the YouTube videos take up on your difficult bulldoze?

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About The Writer

Tina Sieber (840 Articles Published)

While completing a PhD, Tina started writing virtually consumer technology in 2006 and never stopped. Now also an editor and SEO, you can find her on Twitter or hiking a nearby trail.

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