MOV files are video files that are used primarily by Apple products and are readable by QuickTime. Because of the exclusive nature of .mov files, they are often not able to be utilized by non-Apple media players such as Windows Media Player. In order to make MOV files play in non-Apple programs or devices, you must first convert the file to a format that the program can utilize, such as an Audio Video Interleave, or AVI, file. This process can be done quite easily with a program that you can download off the Internet.
Step 1
Visit the OjoSoft website and download the Total Video Converter software. See Resources for a link to the OjoSoft website. After you've downloaded the files necessary for installing the Total Video Converter software, install the program by clicking on the installation wizard icon that will be located on your desktop. The installation wizard will walk you through a simple and quick installation that should take only a couple of minutes to complete. Once the program has been installed, launch it.
Step 2
Click the "Browse" button in the OjoSoft Video Converter program window, then select the MOV file that you'd like to convert to AVI. Click the file and then click the "Open" button in the bottom right-hand corner of the window. Select "to AVI" from the top list of icons in the program window. The AVI button features a move-reel icon with multicolored film.
Step 3
Enter the new file's output folder in the output file name field. This field lets you choose where you would like the newly created AVI file to be located on your hard drive. If you do not have a specific preference, you can leave the field alone. The default settings will put the new file back in the same folder where the original MOV file was located.
Step 4
Set the AVI profile in the AVI profile field. If you aren't sure what profile to choose, leave the field alone. The default settings will work in most cases.
Step 5
Click the gray "Convert" button in the bottom right corner of the program window. The conversion process will begin and should take anywhere from a few seconds to up to 15 minutes to complete, depending on the file's size. A progress bar will be displayed within the program window, allowing you to see the estimated conversion time. You will be notified by the program when the conversion is complete. You can now open the MOV file and play it as an AVI file in Windows Media Player or your favorite media program.
Warning
- Downloading media illegally is a crime punishable by federal law.
