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With my ±20 year old pc (AMD Athlon XP 3200+ and ATI Radeon HD 3850 (AGP)) watching Youtube videos in-browser is next to impossible, because of the 100% cpu-utilization. It’s just too slow. The videocard however does support hardware video-decoding of H.264 up to 1080p.

To watch and/or download Youtube videos I always use (my own) simple Youtube-extractor + the latest still working MPC-HC on WinXP to watch, or — of course — my own WinXP compatible FFmpeg builds to download.

My Youtube-extractor is part of an XQuery function module, Xivid, for the command-line tool Xidel (an XML/HTML/JSON parser). It’s a simple extractor, in the sense that it doesn’t support age-gated-videos. You’d still need youtube-dl / yt-dlp for that. But for «normal» videos, the vast majority I come across, it works absolutely fine and because it doesn’t depend on Python it’s multitudes faster (on my old system). The extractor uses the Android API call, which means there’s no bandwidth-throttling or a need to decrypt signatures.

Extracting

• Xidel 0.9.9.8787 or newer. For WinXP download the «openssl.win32»-variant! Besides ‘xidel.exe’, don’t forget to extract ‘cacert.pem’ as well.
  Alternatively you could download one from my host, which are much smaller because I removed the «debug symbols».
• OpenSSL 3.3.1 dll-files to be able to open and process virtually any https-url nowadays. Put them in the same map as ‘xidel.exe’, in ‘C:\Windows\system32’, or somewhere in %PATH%.
• ‘xivid.xqm’. My XQuery function module with the xivid:youtube() function declaration.

Watching

• The latest still working MPC-HC on WinXP and my (non SSE2) cpu. There may be some newer releases than this one that might still work on WinXP, but then you’ll need an SSE2 cpu.
• LAVFiltersXP 0.70.2. Special LAVFilters release where libavformat is compiled with GnuTLS for https-support. There’s a newer release, but it instantly crashes on my system.
• standalone_filters-mpc-be.1.4.6.x86.7z for ‘MPCVideoDec.ax’, the DXVA1 hardware video-decoder (which LAVFilters lacks). MPC-BE 1.4.6 is the latest official WinXP compatible release.
  Alternatively you could download standalone_filters-mpc-be.1.4.7.0.x86.(VS2015).7z. This is an unofficial backported WinXP compatible release, which also works fine on my system.

From ‘MPC-HC.1.7.11.24.x86.7z’ extract everything except the «LAVFilters»-map.
From ‘LAVFiltersXP-0.70.2-beta2-x86.zip’ extract — at least — the manifest-file, all dll-files and ax-files to ‘MPC-HC.1.7.11.24.x86\LAVFilters’.
From ‘standalone_filters-mpc-be.1.4.6.x86.7z’ extract ‘MPCVideoDec.ax’ anywhere you want basically.

Then finally in MPC-HC: Options —> External Filters —> Add Filter… —> Browse… —> select ‘MPCVideoDec.ax’ —> tick the «Prefer»-box.
This way you can watch most* https progressive-, DASH- and HLS-videostreams with your gpu doing the video-decoding.

Downloading

My FFmpeg builds obviously. Nothing more to say.  Discussion on Doom9 Forum.

Command-lines

The most basic Xidel-call for a Youtube-video would be…

xidel.exe -s --module=xivid.xqm -e "xivid:youtube('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ')"
xidel.exe -s --module=xivid.xqm -e "xivid:youtube('dQw4w9WgXcQ')"

…which returns a JSON with all the different audio- and video formats.

The following command I use all the time to watch the 720p (itag 22) progressive video:

FOR /F "delims=" %A IN ('
  xidel -s --module^=xivid.xqm -e "xivid:youtube('dQw4w9WgXcQ')/(formats)()[starts-with(id,'pg')][last()]/url"
') DO @"C:\Program Files\Media\MPC-HC.1.7.11.24.x86\mpc-hc.exe" "%A" /close

Update: Youtube doesn’t provide the 720p (itag 22, H.264+AAC) container format anymore. Only the 360p (itag 18) variant remains.

The following command I now use all the time watch Youtube videos:

FOR /F "delims=" %A IN ('
  xidel -s --module^=xivid.xqm -e "xivid:youtube('dQw4w9WgXcQ')/formats/`\"C:\\Program Files\\Media\\MPC-HC.1.7.11.24.x86\\mpc-hc.exe\" \"{.^(^)[format^='mp4[h264]' and substring-before^(resolution^,'x'^) le 1280][last^(^)]/url}\" /dub \"{.^(^)[format^='webm[opus]'][last^(^)]/url}\" /close`"
') DO @%A

Prettified:

FOR /F "delims=" %A IN ('
  xidel -s --module^=xivid.xqm -e "
    xivid:youtube^('dQw4w9WgXcQ'^)/formats/`
      \"C:\\Program Files\\Media\\MPC-HC.1.7.11.24.x86\\mpc-hc.exe\"
      \"{.()[format='mp4[h264]' and substring-before(resolution,'x') le 1280][last()]/url}\"
      /dub \"{.()[format='webm[opus]'][last()]/url}\"
      /close
    `
  "
') DO @%A

From the JSON generated by the extractor I select the H.264 720p (DASH video only) variant with the highest bitrate (which at the same time is always the one with the highest framerate) and the OPUS (DASH audio only) variant with the highest bitrate. I’ll let Xidel generate the (long) string, which in turn the FOR-loop executes as an MPC-HC command.

For downloading it’s as easy as:

FOR /F "delims=" %A IN ('
  xidel -s --module^=xivid.xqm -e "xivid:youtube('dQw4w9WgXcQ')/formats/`ffmpeg.exe -hide_banner -i \"{.^(^)[format^='mp4[h264]' and substring-before^(resolution^,'x'^) le 1280][last^(^)]/url}\" -i \"{.^(^)[format^='mp4[aac]'][last^(^)]/url}\" -c copy \"Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up ^(Official Music Video^).mp4\"`"
') DO @%A

FOR /F "delims=" %A IN ('
  xidel -s --module^=xivid.xqm -e "
    xivid:youtube^('dQw4w9WgXcQ'^)/formats/`
      ffmpeg.exe -hide_banner
      -i \"{.()[format='mp4[h264]' and substring-before(resolution,'x') le 1280][last()]/url}\"
      -i \"{.()[format='mp4[aac]'][last()]/url}\"
      -c copy \"Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Music Video).mp4\"
    `
  "
') DO @%A

Or with ‘webm[opus]’ instead of ‘mp4[aac]’ and .mkv instead of .mp4.

* LAVFiltersXP 0.70.2 is already pretty old which means that certain videostreams aren’t (properly) supported. Youtube livestreams for instance, but also videos from Twitter. Luckily with FFmpeg there’s a workaround for that:

FOR /F "delims=" %A IN ('
  xidel -s --module^=xivid.xqm -e "xivid:youtube('###########')/(formats)()[last()]/url"
') DO @ffmpeg.exe -hide_banner -i "%A" -c copy -f nut - | "C:\Program Files\Media\MPC-HC.1.7.11.24.x86\mpc-hc.exe" - /close

Edited September 28, 2024 by Reino

Update for the fact that Youtube doesn’t provide itag 22 anymore.

How To Install YouTube App On PC & Laptop – Full Guide

YouTube has firmly established itself as one of the most popular platforms for video content, hosting everything from music videos to educational tutorials and entertaining vlogs. While accessing YouTube via a web browser on a PC or laptop is straightforward, many users may prefer the convenience and features of a dedicated YouTube app. This guide will walk you through various methods to install the YouTube app on your PC or laptop, maximizing your viewing experience.

Understanding the YouTube App

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to understand what the YouTube app is. The YouTube app is specifically designed for mobile devices and tablets, offering a streamlined viewing experience, enhanced functionalities, and access to features like offline viewing, personalization, and notifications.

While there’s no official standalone YouTube application for Windows PCs as we find on smartphones, there are several ways to access YouTube’s functionality through apps or alternative methods, such as using Android emulators or platform-specific solutions.

Method 1: Using YouTube on Your Browser

Before exploring apps, let’s clarify that the easiest way to access YouTube is through the web browser. Here’s a quick overview of using YouTube on a browser:

1. Open your preferred web browser: This can be Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser you use.
2. Visit the YouTube website: Type www.youtube.com in your address bar and hit Enter.
3. Sign in: If you have a Google account, click on the «Sign In» button at the top right corner and enter your credentials. This allows you to access your subscriptions, playlists, and recommended videos.

Using YouTube in a browser provides an immediate solution, but if you’re looking for a more app-like experience, check out the following methods.

Method 2: Install YouTube App via Microsoft Store

For Windows 10 and 11 users, YouTube is available through the Microsoft Store as a built-in application. Here’s how you can install it:

1. Open the Microsoft Store:

   • Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
   • Search for “Microsoft Store” and select it from the search results.

2. Search for YouTube:

   • Once the Microsoft Store is open, use the search bar at the top right corner to type “YouTube”.
   • Press Enter, and wait for the results to load.

3. Select the YouTube application:

   • From the list of applications, click on the «YouTube» entry.
   • You’ll be directed to the app’s dedicated page.

4. Install the application:

   • Click the “Get” button (or the “Install” button if you have previously downloaded it).
   • The installation process will begin and may take a few moments.

5. Launch the YouTube application:

   • Once installed, you will see the “Launch” button. Click it to start using the app.
   • You can also find the app in your Start Menu afterward.

Features of the YouTube App on Microsoft Store

The YouTube app available through the Microsoft Store comes with several features:

• Video Playback: Stream videos in various qualities, including HD and 4K (if supported by your device).
• Subscriptions: Easily access your subscriptions and recommended videos based on your viewing history.
• Playlist Management: Manage and create playlists from within the app.
• Picture-in-Picture Mode: Enjoy your videos while multitasking with other applications.

Method 3: Using an Android Emulator

If you want access to the full functionality of the mobile YouTube app, including features that might not be present in the Windows Store version, consider using an Android emulator. Emulators simulate an Android environment on your PC, allowing you to download and use mobile apps.

Here’s how to get started with an emulator:

1. Select an Android Emulator: There are numerous Android emulators available, including BlueStacks, Nox Player, and LDPlayer. For this guide, we will use BlueStacks.

2. Download BlueStacks:

   • Visit the official BlueStacks website (www.bluestacks.com).
   • Click the download button to download the installer for your operating system.

3. Install BlueStacks:

   • Once the installer is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to install BlueStacks. Ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements to run the emulator smoothly.

4. Set up BlueStacks:

   • After installation, launch BlueStacks. You may be required to log in with your Google account.

5. Open Google Play Store:

   • Within the BlueStacks interface, locate the Google Play Store icon and click on it.

6. Search for YouTube:

   • In the Google Play Store, use the search bar to type “YouTube”.
   • Select the official YouTube application from the search results.

7. Install the YouTube app:

   • Click the “Install” button to download the app.

8. Launch the YouTube app:

   • Once installation is complete, you can find YouTube in the Apps section of BlueStacks. Click on the icon to launch the application.

Benefits of Using an Emulator

• Access to Full Features: The mobile app comes with all the features such as creating videos, channel management, and more.
• Customizable Controls: You can customize controls to suit your preferences for a better user experience.
• Multitasking: Run other Android apps simultaneously alongside YouTube.

Method 4: Using a Third-party Desktop Client

In addition to using emulators, certain third-party desktop clients are designed for video playback from various sources, including YouTube. Some popular options include:

1. 4K Video Downloader:

   • This application can be used to download and watch YouTube videos offline, with a straightforward interface.

2. JDownloader:

   • A file-hosting downloader that supports YouTube links, allowing you to save videos for later viewing.

Steps to Install 4K Video Downloader

1. Download 4K Video Downloader:

   • Go to the official website (4kdownload.com) and download the installer.

2. Install the program:

   • Open the downloaded file and follow the installation prompts.

3. Apply for a YouTube video link:

   • After installation, copy a YouTube video URL, and open 4K Video Downloader.

4. Paste Link:

   • Click “Paste Link” in the application’s interface.
   • You can select your desired video quality and format.

5. Download:

   • Click “Download” to save the video for offline viewing.

Conclusion

Installing a YouTube app on your PC or laptop can significantly enhance your viewing experience, whether you’re streaming the latest content or managing your subscriptions. While the official YouTube application is available via the Microsoft Store, leveraging an Android emulator provides access to the mobile version’s complete functionality.

In addition, third-party clients like 4K Video Downloader provide unique features such as offline viewing and downloading capabilities, which can be extremely beneficial. Whichever method you choose, you are sure to enjoy the vast array of video content that YouTube offers directly from your desktop.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the method you select to install YouTube on your PC should cater to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you opt for the convenience of the Microsoft Store app, the full-featured Android emulator, or a third-party client, all of these options ultimately allow you to enjoy your YouTube experience on a larger screen with greater ease.

Explore, enjoy new videos, and don’t forget to subscribe to your favorite channels. YouTube is a treasure trove of content waiting to be explored, whether you’re looking for entertainment, education, or inspiration. Happy viewing!