Windows Live Movie Maker Was Discontinued — Here's What to Do
Microsoft discontinued Windows Movie Maker in January 2017. If you still have .wlmp project files on an old hard drive, here's how to recover your videos without reinstalling outdated software.
What Happened to Windows Movie Maker?
On January 10, 2017, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows Essentials 2012 — the software suite that included Windows Live Movie Maker. The download links were removed from Microsoft's servers, and the application stopped receiving updates.
The decision was part of Microsoft's broader shift toward cloud-based productivity tools and away from locally installed media software. Users were encouraged to migrate to the Photos app in Windows 10, which includes basic video editing, or to third-party alternatives.
Why This Is a Problem for .WLMP Files
The discontinuation created a specific problem: millions of people have .wlmp project files sitting on old hard drives, USB sticks, and cloud backups — but no way to open them. The files are not videos; they are project files that require Movie Maker to render. Without the software, the files appear useless.
Common situations where this becomes a problem:
- →You upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 or 11 and Movie Maker no longer works.
- →You found old .wlmp files on an external hard drive from a previous computer.
- →You backed up your projects to the cloud but never exported the final MP4.
- →You're trying to recover a family video, school project, or event recording.
Can You Still Install Windows Movie Maker?
Technically, yes — but it is not recommended. Unofficial copies of Movie Maker circulate on third-party download sites, but these carry significant risks:
🦠 Malware risk
Many unofficial installers bundle adware, spyware, or worse. Microsoft no longer distributes the software, so any download is from an unverified source.
⚙️ Compatibility issues
Movie Maker was not designed for Windows 10 or 11. It may crash, fail to render, or produce corrupted output on modern hardware.
🔒 No updates
The software has not received security patches since 2017. Running it exposes your system to known vulnerabilities.
The Easiest Solution: Convert Online
The safest and fastest way to recover your .wlmp projects is to convert them to MP4 using an online tool that understands the format. wlmptomp4.com was built specifically for this purpose.
Our service parses the XML inside your .wlmp file, resolves all the media references, and uses FFmpeg to render a finished MP4 — exactly as Movie Maker would have. You get the same result without installing any software.
Alternative Video Editors (If You Want to Re-Edit)
If you want to continue editing your project rather than just exporting it, here are the best free alternatives to Windows Movie Maker in 2024:
| Software | Platform | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows / Mac / Linux | Professional editing | Free |
| Kdenlive | Windows / Mac / Linux | Open-source editing | Free |
| Clipchamp | Windows 11 (built-in) | Quick edits | Free |
| iMovie | Mac / iOS | Apple users | Free |
| CapCut | Windows / Mac / Mobile | Social media clips | Free |
Note that none of these editors can open .wlmp files directly. You will need to convert your project to MP4 first, then re-import the footage if you want to continue editing.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Windows Movie Maker was discontinued in January 2017 and is no longer available from Microsoft.
- ✓Installing unofficial copies is risky due to malware and compatibility problems.
- ✓Your .wlmp project files are still recoverable — they contain all the timeline data needed to render an MP4.
- ✓The fastest solution is to use wlmptomp4.com to convert your project without installing any software.