The Process

• (Tip) Before starting create a new folder in which to save the "project" and to store a copy of supporting files (images, video, audio,...). Copy the supporting files into the new folder before launching MM.
• (Tip) It is easier to manage a "project" if it is started and completed on one machine. If the project is expected to move from PC to PC consider placing the new folder on a rather large capacity USB drive.
• (Tip) Save project often.
• Select Start | All Programs | Accessories | Entertainment | Windows Movie Maker
• Select File | New Project
• Select File | Save Project

  Save the project into the desired folder, with the desired name. Note the file extension (save as type) will default to .MSWMM .

  To preview current state of the project select Play button on the preview section of the MM window (generally upper to middle right).
   

• Select Collection icon on tool bar. Create new collection folder if needed.
• Click-and-drag images, sound files, and video files from their current locations into the collection section of the MM window.
• If the storyboard (a series of rectangles with smaller rectangles between them)  is not present at the bottom of the MM window then select Show Storyboard icon on the lower tool bar.
• Click-and-drag images, sound files, and video files from the collection section of the MM window onto the storyboard in order of appearance.
• Select Tasks icon on tool bar.
• Select down arrow option to expand the Edit Movie section.
• Select View video effects
• Individual media can be assigned video effects by click-and-drag of desired effect to the media on the storyboard.
• Select View video transitions
• Moving from one media to another media can be assigned a video transition by click-and-drag of desired transition to between the two media on the storyboard.
• Select Make titles or credits
• Select where to add the title/credit (selected individual media or other), select options then done.
• Select Show Timeline icon on the lower tool bar to allow for click-and-drag fine-tuning of media, transition and credit timing.
• (Tip) Practice makes the previous steps easier to use in different combinations of order.
• When the preview current state of the project is satisfactory save the project.
• Select down arrow option to expand the Finish Movie section.
• Select Save to my computer
• Enter name and location of finished movie file. Click Next.
• Select Best quality for playback on my computer
• Wait until finished movie file renders. There will be an option to play the movie file upon completion. Click Finish. The movie file now exists in the entered folder with the entered name and a (.WMV) extension.
• Double-click movie file icon in folder to play in default .WMV player.