Windows Live Movie Maker Available

Windows Live Movie Maker, the latest version of Microsoft’s free consumer video-editing program, includes new ways to share videos, including via the popular YouTube Web site. However, unlike past versions of the program, it will not be included with Windows 7, but will be available only as a separate download. Also, it will not support Windows XP, which is installed on more PCs than any other version of Windows.

Focused on Sharing

Released as a free download in Aug. 2009 after 10 months of public beta testing, Windows Live Movie Maker 1.0 is geared toward the same audience as its Windows Movie Maker predecessors: novice users who want a quick and easy way to convert static pictures and video from various sources—including video cameras and TV shows recorded from the Windows Media Center interface—into personalized videos. As with past versions, the AutoMovie feature lets novices choose source material and music and automatically creates a video, complete with effects and transitions. Manual editing tools are also available, and users can add their own captions, as well as choose from menus of more than 20 video effects and 60 transitions.