What files do I need to include in the ZIP?

Include your .wlmp project file and every video, image, and audio file that the project references. If a file is missing, we'll tell you exactly which one and skip that clip rather than failing the whole conversion.

What is a .wlmp file?

A .wlmp file is a Windows Live Movie Maker project file — an XML document that describes your video timeline. Windows Movie Maker was discontinued in 2017. Our tool parses the XML and rebuilds your video.

How long does conversion take?

A 5-minute project typically takes 3-10 minutes. Longer projects run in the background. You can close the tab and return using your job link.

How do I open a .wlmp file on Windows 11?

Windows Movie Maker is no longer available on Windows 11. The easiest way to open and export a .wlmp file is to use wlmptomp4.com — upload your project as a ZIP and download the rendered MP4.

How to Convert WLMP to MP4 (Step-by-Step)

The easiest way to convert a Windows Movie Maker .wlmp project to a playable MP4 file — no software installation required. Works on Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac, and Linux.

Published January 25, 2024·Updated April 1, 2024·6 min read

Quick Summary

Zip your .wlmp file together with all referenced media → upload to wlmptomp4.com → download your MP4. The whole process takes under 10 minutes for most projects.

Before You Start: What You Need

A .wlmp file is a project file, not a video. It references your source media by file path. To convert it, you need:

Your .wlmp fileThe project file itself — usually found in Documents\Windows Movie Maker or wherever you saved it.
All source mediaEvery video clip, photo, and audio file the project uses. Open the .wlmp in a text editor and search for 'src=' to see the full list.
A ZIP utilityWindows Explorer, 7-Zip, WinRAR, or any archiver. You'll bundle everything into one ZIP.

Step 1: Find Your Source Media Files

Open your .wlmp file in Notepad (right-click → Open with → Notepad). Press Ctrl+F and search for src= or filePath=. You will see entries like:

filePath="C:\Users\Sarah\Videos\birthday_party.mp4"
filePath="C:\Users\Sarah\Pictures\cake.jpg"
filePath="C:\Users\Sarah\Music\background.mp3"

Collect all these files. If you cannot find a file, that clip will be skipped during conversion and you will receive a warning listing the missing files.

Step 2: Create a ZIP Archive

Put your .wlmp file and all source media into a single folder, then compress it into a ZIP:

Windows 10 / 11

1.Select all files in the folder
2.Right-click → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder
3.Name the ZIP anything you like

Mac

1.Select all files in the folder
2.Right-click → Compress Items
3.A .zip file is created automatically

Tip: The ZIP can be up to 500 MB. If your project is larger, try reducing the resolution of your source videos before zipping, or split the project into shorter segments.

Step 3: Upload to wlmptomp4.com

1
Go to wlmptomp4.com
Open the homepage in any browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. No account required for a free preview.
2
Choose your output resolution
Select 480p, 720p, or 1080p. Higher resolutions take longer to render but produce sharper output.
3
Drag and drop your ZIP
Drag the ZIP file onto the upload zone, or click to browse. The upload progress bar shows how much has been sent.
4
Wait for rendering
Our server parses your .wlmp file, resolves the media references, and runs FFmpeg to render the video. A progress bar tracks each stage.

Step 4: Preview and Download

Once rendering is complete, a free 30-second preview is available immediately — no payment required. You can watch it in the browser to confirm the conversion looks correct.

To download the full MP4, choose one of the paid options:

Option	Price	Best For
Single conversion	$4.99	One project
3-pack	$9.99	A few projects
10-pack	$24.99	Multiple projects or bulk recovery

After payment, the full video is rendered and a download button appears. The file is also emailed to you if you provide an address during checkout.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

❓ "All referenced media files are missing"

Your ZIP does not contain the source media. Open the .wlmp in Notepad, find all filePath= entries, and add those files to your ZIP.

❓ "No .wlmp file found in ZIP"

Make sure the .wlmp file is directly inside the ZIP (not in a subfolder). Re-zip with the .wlmp at the root level.

❓ Video renders but some clips are black

Those clips reference files that were not found in your ZIP. Check the warning list in the job status page for the missing filenames.

❓ Upload fails or times out

Your ZIP may be too large (limit: 500 MB). Try reducing video resolution before zipping, or split the project into two shorter segments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on Mac and Linux?

Yes. wlmptomp4.com is a web app — it works in any modern browser on any operating system. The conversion happens on our servers, not on your computer.

How long are files kept?

Uploaded files and rendered videos are automatically deleted 48 hours after your job completes. We do not retain your content.

What output format is produced?

All conversions produce H.264 MP4 files, which play on virtually every device and platform.

Can I convert multiple projects at once?

Yes — each project requires a separate upload, but you can start multiple jobs in parallel.