How to Compress a Video File With Windows Movie Maker
In order for your movie to be easily watched over the Web, you need to compress the size of the video file. There are a few FREE video editing programs available that can help. The most popular program among videobloggers is Windows Movie Maker.
Depending on what version of Windows XP you have, Movie Maker comes installed.
To compress a video file, you have to open this program and click on Import Video link in the menu on the left side.
Choose the video file that you want to import, and download it to the program.
Drag a video clip with your mouse, and drop it on the Time line below.
Now click on FILE at the top, and then Save Movie File
Choose My computer, and click next
Enter a file name for your video, and choose a directory to save your file to. Click Next
In the new window, click on Show more choices link.
Check the box Other Settings, and a new menu will appear.
Open the menu, and select any of three given options for
“Video for Broadband”: 512 Kbps, 340Kbps, and 150Kbps.
512Kbps offers the best quality, but is also the largest file.
In my example I chose the smallest file size, which is “Video for Broadband 150 Kbps”
Click Next, and save your movie in the smaller file size.
Click Finish.
size, and you can upload it to other sites in a compressed format
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Posted on April 8 at 2:46 am
unbelievable. this is the best info i have found on the net. lifesaver. thanks.
Posted on April 9 at 3:39 am
We need more people like you! That was soooo much better than the microsoft website! It took an hour of nor results to find on thier website. Your explanation took me about 3 minutes to execute. Thank you!
Posted on May 14 at 4:01 pm
This is so great! Thanks! However, I do not have “Save Movie File” option under file- just “save Project” and save Project as”
I have a brand new computer with Vista.
What am I doing wrong?
Posted on May 24 at 2:33 am
Thanks so much for this explanation. It has taken me ALL day to work this out & you sorted my problems with your explanation in a couple of minutes. Thanks so much. Sarah
Posted on May 28 at 11:40 am
Thanks for this helpful tutorial! I got so aggravated yesterday trying to compress a video file, that I finally gave up and just deleted it. Now I wish I wouldn’t have! 
But that’s okay…I’ll make another one and try again, using your tips here. Thanks!
Posted on July 13 at 9:18 am
SUPER easy to do with your clear instructions! Thanks alot!
Posted on August 5 at 8:12 pm
Thank you very much! I have been searching all day for a way to compress my file. You are a life saver! Thanks!
Posted on September 13 at 2:39 pm
this is really a good service man
I am a filmmaker struggling to upload my film to web since some time
i owe my upload to u
thank u so much
Posted on September 24 at 6:56 pm
BRILLIANT!
i’ve been struggling with this for some time now, but ur post has made it a billion times easier.. and it works!
thank you
Posted on October 18 at 3:37 am
Seriously? That’s IT? Do you know how LONG I’ve been searching the net for this info and every program that I found costed money! Thank you thank you thank you! Worked perfectly!
Posted on November 27 at 8:50 pm
This has been the best help so far.Thank you very much.
Posted on December 11 at 2:31 pm
Thank you so much! This was great!
Posted on December 24 at 1:18 am
Morning,
you deserve an award!
I am so pleased to have found this site and soooo glad that you took the time to Post it.
Byeeee
Posted on January 4 at 11:27 am
I’m like Allyson. I don;t have Save Movie File and I have a new laptop with Vista as well
Posted on January 18 at 9:37 am
I absolutely valued your video compression directions, as I just learned something new from your blog and performed all functions successfully ! I appreciate you giving the easiest instructions
Posted on February 8 at 7:29 am
Allyson:
In Vista, the “Save movie file” button that he is reffering to is called “Publish”.
Posted on February 9 at 4:10 pm
LIFESAVER!!!… Gonna upload my first Youtube and Blogger vid.. NOW! 
Posted on February 10 at 5:47 pm
Im Trying To Put Videos On YouTube,
I Havnt Tried THis Yet But, I Feel Like It Should Work If It Doesnt Can YOu Help Me
THANKS!
Posted on February 13 at 5:36 pm
thanks a lot .
Posted on February 16 at 7:52 pm
Thanks a lot, I make it.
Posted on February 25 at 3:12 pm
thanks a lot!!
i’ve been dying if what am i supposed to do..
your my savior!!=))
Posted on March 6 at 5:29 pm
I am an IS person, but I do not work with these type of functions. I googled my question regarding this issue and you were the first link that I connected to…..thank God. You are a lifesaver and very knowledgeable. Both me and the physician that I was working with was very impressed by your step-by-step directions and visuals. It was easy as cake. Thank you very much for sharing your expertise. SLL in Milwaukee, WI
Posted on March 12 at 3:33 pm
Thank you times a million. I was almost in tears trying to get a very important video to upload to my site, but it wouldn’t because it was entirely too big. I asked someone in a forum what to do and they just said “use windows movie maker”. So I tried everything and to no avail. Then I typed in “how do I compress a video file” in google and VOILA! Thanks again. I really appreciate you. You totally could have charged big bucks for this, but instead you offered your help free of charge and that means a lot to a mom of 2. God bless.
Posted on March 26 at 1:47 am
Vista users, just hit CTRL + P
Posted on April 12 at 2:39 pm
can some one now tell me what option to use when you get to movie settings. I have broadband, but it doesn’t give me the option to change the movie settings for “VIDEO FOR BROADBAND” OR THE 3 SETTINGS 512KBS, 340KBS, OR 150KBS. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Posted on April 17 at 5:41 pm
Excellent, i cant really imagine i can compress movie file
Thanks a lot
Posted on May 4 at 12:17 am
Thank you very much for your help, like everybody else has said clear & precise instructions, and if your using VISTA, its Publish Movie to SAVE and this will taake you to the next step
Posted on May 6 at 6:44 am
Thanx! My youtube film was too long. You helped me great!
Marjorie (The Netherlands)
Posted on May 30 at 8:49 am
woot! thx!
Posted on June 3 at 10:57 am
There's not much I can say that hasn't been said already, this is so amazingly helpful and clear. Thank you so much for putting this up.
Posted on June 14 at 10:51 pm
Thank you SO much! Your instructions made it easy…
Posted on July 5 at 8:14 pm
U R a lifesaver! thanks for the easy instructions!
Posted on July 6 at 4:40 am
Thanks a lot,i worked almost 2 days but finally u helped in 2 minutes,thx a lot once again
Posted on July 25 at 10:30 pm
Thanks Alot..this was very detailed
Posted on August 2 at 2:53 am
My friend directed me to this site and honestly this is the best and simplest piece of advice for compressing vods.
The directions were simple, and the pictures made the steps easier to follow.
Thanks a lot
Posted on August 24 at 9:51 pm
I never usually comment on these types of things but just had to tell you how great these instructions are. I have Vista and still was able to get it figured out. I appreciate the time you took to publish this!
Posted on September 6 at 6:30 pm
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. This info is very helpful. Great job! Keep it up!
Posted on September 15 at 2:03 pm
clear step-by-step advice
thank you for sharing!
Posted on September 17 at 3:06 pm
This is why I love the internet! Thanks very much!
Posted on September 24 at 3:10 am
thank you for this! i needed to send a video quickly and had tried unsuccessfully to get one to upload without compressing. this worked great and was very helpful.
Posted on October 14 at 6:46 pm
I have vista as well and on the tutorial image i noticed a ctlP command beside the save movie file. that worked for me. thanks for your tutiorial!!
Posted on October 17 at 7:20 pm
thank you sooo much !
this helped a lot .
Posted on October 21 at 1:18 pm
a big “THANKS” to this. i’ve been finding ways to compress my videos to be attached on yahoo mail. yahoo mail can only attach items up to 20MB. The instructions are super reader-friendly. KEEP IT UP! thanks again
Posted on November 12 at 4:08 am
THANK YOU!!!!!! This is one of the best tutorials I’ve ever found on the web! And to think I had this great video editing tool on my computer all this time and didn’t know it! THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU ROCK!!
Posted on November 23 at 11:22 pm
Thanks! This really helped!
Posted on November 26 at 6:34 am
hi- thanks for the great instruction!
only problem- when i click MORE OPTIONS/SHOW OTHERS
nothing shows up.
How do i get the array of choices you show in your
tutorial?
thanks
Posted on December 3 at 6:36 am
AGHH!!!! dude you ROCK!
Posted on December 7 at 3:53 pm
I LOVE YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT DUE AND COULDN’T FIGURE OUT FOR THE LIFE OF ME WHY I COULDN’T GET IT TO A SMALLER SIZE! MUCH LOVE! THANKKKKKKKK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Posted on December 9 at 6:04 pm
Without a doubt, the best tutorial I have ever found! Thanks so much. You have a gift for explaining things simply, concisely and clearly.
Posted on March 2 at 9:55 pm
AWESOME, VERY HELPFUL AND CLEAR THANK YOU