How to Download YouTube Videos on Windows 11

If you want to watch YouTube videos on your Windows 11 PC without an internet connection, the supported way is the Download button that comes with YouTube Premium. It works right in your browser, with no extra software. If the video is one you uploaded yourself, YouTube Studio lets you download the original file for free.

Many older guides, including an earlier version of this one, point you to third-party downloader apps and websites. We no longer recommend them. They break YouTube’s Terms of Service, frequently bundle adware or malware, and can stop working without warning. This guide sticks to the methods YouTube supports.

Method 1: Download Videos with YouTube Premium

Step 1: Sign in with a Premium account

Open youtube.com in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera on your Windows 11 PC, and sign in with the Google account that has YouTube Premium. Other browsers don’t currently support downloads.

Step 2: Open the video

Search for or browse to the video you want to keep.

Step 3: Click Download

Click Download below the video player. If you don’t see it, click the three-dot More button next to Share and choose Download. A progress ring shows while it saves, and the icon changes to a check mark when it’s done.

Step 4: Watch offline

Open youtube.com in the same browser, then click Downloads in the left menu (open the menu with the three-line icon if it’s collapsed). Your saved videos play even when the PC is offline.

Step 5: Remove downloads when you’re done

On the Downloads page, click the three-dot menu next to a video and choose Delete from downloads.

YouTube’s help article on watching videos offline with YouTube Premium on a computer explains the full set of options.

Important Limits on Premium Downloads

• Downloads stay inside YouTube. You can’t open them in another media player, edit them or copy them to a USB drive.
• Videos play offline for up to 29 days. After that, reconnect to the internet so YouTube can check the video is still available.
• Downloads are tied to the browser you used. Clearing that browser’s site data, or switching to a different browser, means downloading again.
• Some videos can’t be downloaded, because the creator or rights holder has turned it off.
• Premium has to be available in your country, and you need an active subscription.

Change the Download Quality

Higher quality uses more disk space. On youtube.com, click your profile picture, open Settings, and choose Downloads. Pick a quality such as 1080p, 720p or 360p, or set YouTube to ask each time. Lower settings are a good choice on laptops with small SSDs.

Method 2: Download Your Own Videos from YouTube Studio

1. Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in to your channel.
2. Click Content in the left menu.
3. Hover over the video, click the three-dot Options button and choose Download.

YouTube saves an MP4 copy to your Downloads folder. To export everything you’ve uploaded at once, use Google Takeout and select YouTube. Both options only work for videos on channels you own.

Other Legitimate Options

• Ask the creator. Many creators share original files for school or work use if you ask.
• Check for an official download. Courses, conference talks and music are often sold or offered for download on the creator’s own site.
• Use stock footage sites. If you need clips for a project, licensed stock libraries let you download and reuse videos legally.
• Record your own screen. For a tutorial about your own work, Windows 11’s Snipping Tool can record your screen. Don’t use screen recording to copy other people’s videos.

Why We Don’t Recommend Downloader Apps

YouTube’s Terms of Service don’t allow downloading content except through features YouTube provides, like Premium downloads. Free downloader sites and apps are also a common source of pop-up ads, browser hijackers and malware. If you’ve already installed one and your browser is behaving oddly, run a full scan in Windows Security and remove unknown extensions. Downloading copyrighted videos without permission can also infringe the creator’s rights.

Troubleshooting

• The Download button is missing. You aren’t signed in with a Premium account, Premium isn’t available in your country, you’re using an unsupported browser, or downloads are turned off for that video.
• Downloads disappeared. They expired after 29 days offline, the video was removed, or the browser’s data was cleared.
• The download is stuck. Check your connection and free disk space, then pause and restart the download from the Downloads page.
• Downloads won’t play offline. Make sure you open youtube.com in the same browser and profile you used to download.
• Studio’s Download option is greyed out. The video is still processing. Wait for it to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to download YouTube videos?

Using YouTube Premium downloads or downloading your own uploads is allowed. Using third-party tools breaks YouTube’s terms and may infringe copyright, depending on the video and where you live.

Can I download YouTube videos as MP4 files?

Only your own videos, through YouTube Studio or Google Takeout. Premium downloads stay inside the browser.

Can I download YouTube videos for free?

Your own uploads are free to download. For other videos, the supported option requires Premium, which often has a free trial.

Does this work on Windows 10?

Yes. See how to download YouTube videos in Windows 10 for the same steps.

Wrapping Up

With YouTube Premium, open the video in Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Opera and click Download, then watch it from the Downloads page for up to 29 days offline. For your own uploads, use YouTube Studio. Skip third-party downloaders. They aren’t worth the security risk.

Related: how to install YouTube on Windows 11.

Related: how to download YouTube videos in Windows 10.