If I see a video that I really want to keep, I use 'A-tube' to download it & save it in whatever format I may want; it is a free program that also has a video converter & screen catcher. To get it, just google 'a-tube'. It definitely is free so don't fall for the ones who are selling it. I downloaded it from Cnet.
After reading this article, you will learn four ways on how to download a YouTube video to computer, be it a PC or Mac. Apply one of them to save any video from YouTube or other video sites to your computer with ease.
Can you save a YouTube video to your computer
It's no doubt that YouTube is one of the most popular video sites in the world that allows uses to watch and upload videos of various types. However, users are not allowed to download YouTube videos to a computer on the site. That has troubled many users who want to download YouTube videos to their computer for offline-watching, video editing, or other purposes. Then, 'How can I download YouTube videos to my computer for free?', many users asked. Actually, although YouTube disallows its users to save videos from the site, there are many other ways available for you to download a YouTube video to computer. Thus, you can save a YouTube video to your computer as long as you use one of the workable ways below.
How to download YouTube videos to computer for free
The ways to download a YouTube video to computer include using a YouTube downloader, browser extensions, VLC media player, and online YouTube video downloader. Read on to learn how to download a YouTube video to computer using these ways and know about their pros and cons. Afterward, choose the one you like best to save videos from YouTube to your computer with simple clicks.
Method 1. Download YouTube videos to computer with a free video downloader
- Pros: 100% Free, No Plug-Ins, No Ads
- Cons: You need to download the YouTube video downloader
EaseUS MobiMover is originally the software for the data transfer between two iOS devices or between an iOS device and a computer. Given that many users want to download videos from sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Twitter, and more to their computer or mobile devices like iPhone and iPad, it is later equipped with the video download feature. With it, you are not only able to download YouTube videos on PC or Mac but also save YouTube videos to your iPhone or iPad.
Key features of EaseUS MobiMover Videos Downloader:
- Downloads videos from any popular website, including YouTube, DailyMotion, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Allows users to save online videos to iPhone/iPad without iTunes or jailbreak.
- Enables users to download videos to computer (PC, Mac, laptop) with high quality.
- Supports download videos in MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, FLV, and more formats.
In a word, you can download any video from any site using URL.
How can you save a youTube video to your computer for offline watching:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiMover, go to 'Video Downloader', and choose to download YouTube videos to your computer.
Step 2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video, paste it into the bar, and then tap the 'Download' button.
Step 3. Then MobiMover will quickly analyze the URL and download the YouTube video to your computer. When it has finished, you can find the video in the selected folder on your computer and enjoy it offline.
Method 2. Download YouTube videos on PC with VLC media player
![Sites to download youtube videos for free Sites to download youtube videos for free](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125429326/177822837.png)
- Pros: 100% Free, No Plug-Ins, No Ads
- Cons: You need to download the YouTube video downloader
VLC is known as a cross-platform media player software and streaming media server. You can not only play streaming videos but also download YouTube videos on PC with it.
Step 1. Download and install VLC media player on your PC.
Step 2. Open VLC and go to 'Media' > 'Open Network Stream..'
Step 3. Copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to download in the box and click 'Play'.
Step 4. Click 'Tools' > 'Codec Information'.
Step 5. Copy the content in the Location section and paste it into the address bar of a browser.
Step 6. Click 'More' > 'Download' to save the video to your PC.
As you can see, this is not a direct way to download videos from YouTube. But it's workable. If you happen to have VLC installed on your PC, you can have a try.
Method 3. Download a YouTube video to computer via a browser extension
- Pros: Convenient to use; Provides multiple download options
- Cons: Some features are paid services; Can't download videos to mobile devices
By adding a YouTube video downloading extension to your browser, there will be a 'Download' button under the video you are watching on the YouTube site, which enables you to download the video to your computer. There are many video downloading extensions available. Let's take the YouTube Video Downloader from addoncrop for example:
Step 1. Go to visit https://addoncrop.com/youtube-video-downloader/.
Step 2. The page will detect your browser automatically. Confirm your browser and click 'INSTALL VIA CROSSPILOT'.
Step 3. Download and install the extension. Afterward, restart the browser.
Step 4. Open the browser and go to YouTube.
Step 5. Play the video you want to download and now you can see there is a download button under the video.
Step 6. Click the download button to save the YouTube video to your computer directly or click the three dots next to it to choose other qualities available. (If you don't see the download button, click the icon of the YouTube Video and MP3 Downloader from the menu bar of the browser to download the video.)
Method 4. Save YouTube videos to computer via online video downloader
- Pros: Convenient to use; Provides multiple download options
- Cons: Has bothering ads
If you don't want to install any software or extension, you may prefer using an online video downloader to download YouTube videos to your computer. It's true that online YouTube video downloaders are quite convenient, but it's also undeniable that most of them are not 'pure'. For example, you may see many ads on the page, be redirected to another site while clicking 'Download', or the online tool may report failure while analyzing the URL of the video. If you don't mind these drawbacks, follow to see how to download a video from YouTube to your computer.
Step 1. Go to visit the online YouTube video downloader.
Step 2. Copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video in the address box and click 'Download'.
Step 3. You may be redirected to another webpage and there is an ad keeps popping up. Dismiss them and choose to download the video with or without sound and select the quality you prefer to download.
The Bottom Line
All of the four methods above will help you to download YouTube videos to computer. The first three of them need you to download and install software or extension, while the last one is an online tool with ads. You should have a clear mind about which one is best for you. Carry out it right now to save a YouTube video to your computer for offline watching.
YouTube is one of the best online video websites that allows users to upload, view, share, and comment on varieties of media videos. Although it doesn't provide video downloading service, which brings many inconveniences, there are plenty of tricks to make it work for you and don't involve copyright infringement.
What are the URL tricks to save YouTube offline
The ways below show you the most direct method to download YouTube videos by changing URL without any software. Try any of them as you need.
Tip #1: Change YouTube to ssyoutube
youtube.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s -> ssyoutube.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s
Tip #2: Change YouTube to youpak
youtube.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s -> youpak.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s Free amazon code generator no download.
Tip #3: Insert 'pp' after 'youtube'
youtube.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s -> youtubepp.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s
Tip #4: Add 'pwn' before 'youtube'
youtube.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s -> pwnyoutube.com/watch?v=C6MVEwl0ceI&t=2s
- Notice:
- What you need to know is that these tricks won't be available all the time because some of the online video downloading services always won't last long. If you can't download YouTube videos by changing URL, how to make it done? Easily! Try EaseUS MobiMover Free Video Downloader, which is a 100% free and stable video downloading tool enabling you to save videos from YouTube, DailyMotion, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, and other pop websites from URL.
How to download YouTube videos from URL within 3 Steps for free
EaseUS MobiMover allows you to download YouTube videos to your computer or iPhone/iPad by just copying and pasting URL for free. No matter the video is in MP4, MOV, M4V, WMV, RM, MKV, AVI, or FLV format, MobiMover can save it to your computer and iOS device without converting. Now, install EaseUS MobiMover Free Video Downloader on your computer and begin downloading video from YouTube by following the steps below. It’s green and 100% secure, feel free to use.
Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiMover, go to 'Video Downloader', and choose to download YouTube videos to your computer.
Step 2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video, paste it into the bar, and then tap the 'Download' button.
Step 3. Then MobiMover will quickly analyze the URL and download the YouTube video to your computer. When it has finished, you can find the video in the selected folder on your computer and enjoy it offline.
Download Youtube Movies For Free
Quite easy, right? In addition to the free and convenient video downloading function, MobiMover also enables you to:
Free Download Of Youtube Videos
- Recommendation
- Back up files from iDevice to the computer at a time or down to a particular data category or item with MobiMover.
- Sync data between two iOS devices, like transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud.
- Manage the iOS data by deleting, editing, or adding content on your computer.
- Transfer files from computer to iPhone/iPad/iPod without iTunes, like add ringtones to new iPhone.