Microsoft's decision to discontinue Windows Movie Maker in 2017 left many users disappointed, particularly those who valued the app's intuitive drag-and-drop design. Despite its limitations, Movie Maker made it possible for anyone with a PC to easily cut, splice, and edit video clips. The app's demise led to a succession of underwhelming alternatives, including the Video Editor in Microsoft Photos.
In 2021, Microsoft acquired Clipchamp and made it the default video editing app in Windows 11, but even this option had its flaws. However, a glimmer of hope has emerged for those who long for the classic Windows Movie Maker experience. A version 6.0 of the app is now available as a free download via the Internet Archive.
This installer file has reportedly been tested and works on both Windows 10 and 11, making it accessible to a wide range of users. According to available information, this version of Windows Movie Maker uses a significantly lower amount of RAM compared to Clipchamp, with a reported 97 percent reduction.
This development is particularly beneficial for those who want to edit videos on older or weaker machines, where resource-intensive apps like Clipchamp may struggle to run smoothly. As a result, many users may find that the classic Windows Movie Maker experience is once again within reach, albeit in a slightly different form.
