How to Convert a Windows Movie Maker File to AVI: A Comprehensive Guide

Converting your Windows Movie Maker projects to AVI is surprisingly straightforward, despite the now-discontinued software. You’ll essentially be exporting your project to a compatible video format, then converting that intermediate file to AVI using a dedicated converter. This guide provides a step-by-step process and answers common questions to ensure a successful conversion.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Process

Windows Movie Maker saves projects in a proprietary format, typically a .wlmp file. This isn’t a video file; it’s a project file containing editing instructions and links to your source media. To get a usable video, you must first “publish” or “export” the project. The best approach is usually to export to a widely supported format like MP4, which can then be reliably converted to AVI.

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide

Here’s how to convert your Windows Movie Maker project to AVI format:

1. Exporting from Windows Movie Maker

Open your .wlmp project in Windows Movie Maker.
Go to File > Save Movie. You’ll see several pre-defined quality settings. If these don’t suit your needs, select “For computer” or “Recommended for this project” as a starting point.
Before saving, click “Show More Settings” or “Create custom setting” (depending on your Movie Maker version). This lets you adjust parameters like resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. Higher settings result in larger, higher-quality files.
Choose a save location and a filename. Crucially, the format will likely be .WMV or .MP4 based on your selected settings. WMV is the legacy format, but MP4 offers better compatibility and efficiency for further conversion.
Click “Save”. Windows Movie Maker will now render your project into a video file. This process can take a while depending on the complexity of your project and your computer’s processing power.

2. Choosing a Video Converter

Once you have your exported video file (WMV or MP4), you’ll need a video converter to convert it to AVI. Many free and paid options are available. Some popular choices include:

Handbrake: A free, open-source converter known for its powerful features and extensive format support.
VLC Media Player: While primarily a media player, VLC also offers basic conversion capabilities.
Freemake Video Converter: A user-friendly option with a simple interface, though be mindful of bundled software offers during installation.
Any Video Converter (Free): Another popular choice with a wide range of supported formats.
CloudConvert: An online converter that doesn’t require software installation.

3. Converting to AVI Using Handbrake (Example)

This example uses Handbrake, but the principles are similar for other converters.

Download and install Handbrake from the official website (handbrake.fr).
Open Handbrake.
Click “File” or “Open Source” and select the exported MP4 or WMV file from Windows Movie Maker.
Under “Summary” (the default tab), choose “AVI” from the “Format” dropdown menu.
Adjust other settings as needed. Pay attention to the video codec (e.g., DivX, Xvid) and audio codec (e.g., MP3, AAC) within the AVI container. Choose codecs that offer a good balance of quality and compatibility. The default settings are often a good starting point.
Specify a save location and filename in the “Save As” field.
Click “Start Encode” or “Start Queue” to begin the conversion process.

4. Optimizing for AVI Conversion

Codec Selection: Choosing the right video and audio codec is crucial for AVI compatibility. DivX and Xvid are widely supported video codecs, while MP3 is a common audio codec for AVI files.
Bitrate: The bitrate determines the quality and file size. Higher bitrates mean better quality but larger files. Experiment to find a balance that works for your needs.
Resolution: Keep the resolution the same as your original exported video file unless you have a specific reason to change it. Upscaling can degrade quality.
Frame Rate: Match the frame rate of your original video file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t I save directly to AVI from Windows Movie Maker?

Windows Movie Maker has limited export options, primarily focusing on WMV and MP4. It lacks the direct AVI output functionality found in more advanced video editing software.

2. What are the best settings to use when exporting from Windows Movie Maker for later AVI conversion?

Exporting to MP4 with a relatively high bitrate (e.g., 5-10 Mbps for 720p video) is generally recommended. This preserves quality for the subsequent AVI conversion. Aim for a frame rate that matches your source footage (e.g., 24fps, 30fps).

3. Which video converter is the best for converting to AVI?

There’s no single “best” converter. Handbrake is a powerful and free option. VLC Media Player is convenient for quick conversions. Freemake Video Converter is user-friendly but might bundle unwanted software. Choose the one that best suits your needs and comfort level.

4. What is a codec, and why is it important for AVI conversion?

A codec (coder-decoder) is an algorithm that compresses and decompresses video and audio data. The AVI container is just a wrapper; the actual encoding is done by the codec. Choosing the right codecs (e.g., DivX, Xvid for video, MP3 for audio) ensures compatibility with your playback devices.

5. Can I convert multiple Windows Movie Maker projects to AVI at once?

Some video converters, like Handbrake, support batch conversion, allowing you to queue up multiple files for conversion in one go. This can save you time if you have several projects to convert.

6. How can I reduce the file size of the AVI file after conversion?

Lowering the bitrate during conversion is the primary way to reduce file size. You can also reduce the resolution or frame rate, but this will impact video quality. Experiment to find the optimal balance.

7. My converted AVI file has no sound. What went wrong?

This usually indicates an incompatibility between the audio codec in the AVI file and your media player. Try converting to AVI using the MP3 audio codec. Also, ensure your media player supports the selected audio codec.

8. The converted AVI file looks pixelated or blurry. How can I improve the quality?

Pixelation often results from too low a bitrate during conversion. Increase the bitrate in your video converter settings. Also, ensure that your original MP4 or WMV export from Windows Movie Maker was of good quality.

9. Is it possible to convert directly from .WLMP to AVI without exporting to MP4 or WMV first?

No. The .wlmp file is a project file, not a video file. You must export it to a video format (like MP4 or WMV) before converting to AVI.

10. Are there any online converters that are safe and reliable for AVI conversion?

CloudConvert is a reputable online converter. However, be cautious when using online converters. Always upload sensitive files only to trusted services. Remember that online converters often have limitations on file size and conversion speed.

11. What if I don’t have Windows Movie Maker installed anymore? Can I still access my .WLMP files?

You will need to install Windows Movie Maker (or a compatible alternative that can read .wlmp files) to open and export your projects. It might involve installing an older version of Windows Essentials.

12. What are the advantages of using AVI format compared to other video formats?

AVI is a legacy format that offers broad compatibility with older devices and software. However, more modern formats like MP4 generally offer better compression, quality, and broader support across a wider range of devices and platforms. In many cases, MP4 is a better choice unless you have specific compatibility requirements for AVI.