Windows Movie Maker to MP4: Import and Edit the MP4 Videos Easily

Running into errors when adding MP4 videos to Windows Movie Maker can be frustrating. Is there an easier way to edit or export these files? This guide shows how an MP4 movie maker for Windows works, explains importing MP4 files without hassle, and highlights the best alternatives for smooth editing. If you want reliable tools for your video projects, this article has you covered.

Part 1. Can Windows Movie Maker Use MP4?

Yes, Windows Movie Maker can use MP4 files, but this is limited. Some of the files can be fine, whereas certain ones might fail to open. This is why many users look for a reliable Windows Movie Maker to MP4 solution to avoid errors and keep editing smooth. The following are the primary causes of why your MP4 file may fail to work in Windows Movie Maker:

1. Outdated Codec Support

Windows Movie Maker was built with older codecs like MPEG-4 Part 2 in mind. If your MP4 is encoded with modern codecs such as H.264 or HEVC, the program may not recognize it.

2. High Resolution or Bitrate

Today's MP4 files are often in HD or 4K, but Windows Movie Maker was designed when 480p and 720p were the norm. High-resolution videos may lag, freeze, or fail to import.

3. Audio Codec Mismatch

MP4 is a container format that can use different audio codecs, such as AAC, AC3, or MP3. Movie Maker doesn't fully support all of them, which may result in missing sound or playback errors.

4. Unusual File Structure

Some devices or editors create MP4 files that don't strictly follow the standard structure. Since Movie Maker has limited flexibility, it may reject these files.

5. Lack of Updates and Support

Because Microsoft discontinued Windows Movie Maker, it no longer receives updates. As MP4 technology advances, Movie Maker is stuck with outdated compatibility.

If you face errors, using a Windows Movie Maker to MP4 workflow, such as converting your file to WMV, AVI, or an older MP4 format, will help you edit and export smoothly without issues.

Part 2. How to Import an MP4 File to Windows Movie Maker

1. If It Is Compatible

A common question users ask is, Can I edit MP4 in Windows Movie Maker? The answer is yes, but only if the MP4 is encoded in a format the program supports. If your file is compatible, here is how you can add and edit it:

Step 1Open Windows Movie Maker and click Add Videos and Photos from the toolbar.

Step 2Go to your local folder. Hold the CTRL key and click on all the MP4 files you want to upload. To make it easier, you can even place your videos in one folder and import them together, but if you want to upload a single MP4, then tap that video.

Step 3Click Open to import your files into the editor. From there, you can start trimming, splitting, adding transitions, or combining multiple clips to create your video.

However, not all MP4s will work. This is because Movie Maker does not support every type of codec inside an MP4 file. If your video does not load properly, the best fix is to convert the MP4 to WMV, a format designed for Windows and fully supported by Movie Maker. Doing this ensures smooth importing and editing without errors.

2. If it is not recognized

AVAide Free WMV Converter Online is a handy browser-based tool made for quick video format fixes, like converting Windows Movie Maker videos to MP4 or the other way around. It is free to use and requires no heavy installation; just a small launcher to get started. The converter works well if your MP4 file will not open in Windows Movie Maker, since it can easily turn it into WMV or other supported formats. While it does not have advanced editing features, its strength is in being fast, lightweight, and easy for beginners who only need compatibility.

Step 1Open Windows Movie Maker and click Add Videos and Photos from the toolbar.

Step 2After that, choose the WMV format to make it supported in Windows Movie Maker.

Step 3Then, click the Convert button to start processing.

Part 3. Best Windows Movie Maker Alternative to Edit & Output MP4 Files

Many users ask, Does Windows Movie Maker support MP4? While it can handle some files, the program struggles with newer formats, which often leads to errors. This is where AVAide MP4 Converter steps in as a better alternative.

The software helps over 300+ video and audio formats, so compatibility is never a problem. You can trim, crop, merge, rotate, or enhance your clips before exporting them in high quality, even up to 8K resolution. Thanks to its acceleration technology, conversions are also much faster compared to older tools. With its mix of editing features and reliable MP4 support, AVAide MP4 Converter offers a smoother, all-in-one solution for video projects.

Step 1Hit the download button that we have in here to get the video converter downloaded on your PC, and follow the installation process before you can use it.

Step 2Upload the video that you want to process in here by clicking the Add File button.

Step 3Press the magic wand button to add magic to the video you have uploaded here. As you can see, there are a bunch of editing features you can use here. After editing, tick OK to save the changes.

Step 4Click the drop-down button to set it to MP4 and click Convert All to save it.

Part 4. How to Export Videos Created on Windows Movie Maker as MP4

After editing your project, you will likely want to save it in MP4 so it can be shared easily or played on almost any device. Windows Movie Maker makes this possible if you follow the right steps.

Step 1Open Windows Movie Maker and load the video or project you want to export.

Step 2In the top-right corner, click Save movie. Make sure you select the text itself, so the format options appear.

Step 3From the menu, go to Common settings and choose For email.

Step 4A new window will appear. Under the save options, select MPEG-4/H.264 Video File (*.mp4) .

Step 5Choose your save location, such as the desktop, then click Save. Wait for the program to compress and export your file. Once finished, your video is ready as an MP4 file; perfect for uploading, sharing, or storing.

You can also use the Windows Movie Maker to convert PNG to MP4 by uploading multiple images, arranging them, adding music, and transitioning to create a beautiful slideshow.

By Sylvie Hyde on Oct 17, 2025