How to Download YouTube Videos on PC

Step-by-Step: Download a YouTube Video on PC

Step 1: Copy the YouTube video link

Open the video on YouTube. Click Share below the video and choose Copy, or click the address bar and press Ctrl + C to copy the video URL.

Step 2: Paste the link into SaveLinkTube

Paste the link into the download box at the top of this page with Ctrl + V and click the Download button. Make sure the link points to a single video, not to a channel or playlist page.

Step 3: Choose a quality

SaveLinkTube lists the MP4 qualities available for the video. 1080p works well for most monitors and laptops. Choose 4K only if you will watch on a 4K screen, and keep in mind that higher qualities create much larger files.

Step 4: Click the quality and wait for the download

Click the quality you want. Your browser starts the download and shows its progress. If your browser asks for permission to download, click Allow. Keep the page open until it finishes.

Step 5: Open the downloaded video

Click the downloads icon in your browser's toolbar and select the file, or press Ctrl + J in Chrome or Edge. You can also open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left pane. Double-click the file to play it.

Where Is the Downloaded Video on My PC?

Downloaded videos are saved to your Downloads folder, which is usually found at C:\Users\YourName\Downloads. Open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left pane.

To change the location, open your browser's Settings and go to Downloads. In Chrome and Edge you can choose a new location and turn on the option to ask where to save each file.

MP4 files usually play in the Windows media player, but VLC is a good free alternative if a file does not open.

Which Quality Is Best for PC?

For most laptops and monitors, 1080p looks sharp and keeps files a manageable size. 4K is worth choosing for a 4K monitor or a TV connected to your PC. 4K and 8K files, when a video offers them, are much larger and take longer to download, so check your free disk space first. Older PCs may also struggle to play the largest files smoothly. If that happens, download the video again in 1080p.

Troubleshooting on PC

The video opens in the browser instead of downloading

Right-click the download link or button and choose Save link as.

The browser blocks the download

Look for a notification near the address bar and click Allow. Then try the download again.

I cannot find the downloaded file

Press Ctrl + J in Chrome or Edge to see your recent downloads, or open the Downloads folder in File Explorer.

The video will not play

Try opening it in VLC, or download it again in 1080p.

The download is slow or stops

Higher qualities create larger files. Keep the page open, check that you have enough free disk space, and try a lower quality if your connection is slow.

For more fixes, see our troubleshooting guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software to download YouTube videos on PC?

No. SaveLinkTube works in your browser, so there is nothing to install.

Does it work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes. It works in any modern browser such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox on a Windows PC or laptop.

Where are downloaded YouTube videos saved on PC?

In your Downloads folder by default. You can open it from File Explorer or from your browser's downloads list.

Which browser should I use?

Chrome, Edge and Firefox all work. The steps are almost the same in each of them.

Can I download in 4K on PC?

If the original video offers 4K, you can choose it. The files are large, so make sure you have enough free disk space, or choose 1080p.

Can I watch the video without internet?

Yes. Once the file is saved on your PC, you can watch it offline. Only download videos that you own or have permission to save.