Many users use YouTube to view the latest videos. However, YouTube does not allow users to download video from the site. There are lot lot of software which allow users to download YouTube videos, both through a desktop software and a online service. However, whenever you watch YouTube videos, the video is downloaded and played back from your local cache.
Here is a solution which will allow you to copy and store YouTube videos which you have already watched to your PC. This method does not require any additional software, and will not cost you additional bandwidth.
Steps To Download/Copy YouTube Video to Your PC
Before you can perform the steps given below, make sure the hidden files are visible in Windows explorer. If you are not aware of how to unhide hidden folders, you can read a tutorial on how to show/hide hidden folders in Windows.
Step 1: Browse and watch YouTube in any web browser, preferably Internet Explorer.
Step 2: If you like a video you watched, do not close the browser window or tab. In order to copy the downloaded video you need to keep the browser window open.
Step 3: Open explorer and navigate to the following location:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\*USERNAME*\Local Settings\Temp
Windows Vista / Windows 7: C:\Users\*USERNAME*\AppData\Local\Temp
Step 4: In the temp folder look for file which has the name "fla*Some_Number*.tmp", for example fla128.tmp or fla36.tmp.
Step 5: The fla*.tmp file is video that was downloaded to your local cache. Copy the file to another folder and rename it to "Whatever_You_Like.flv "
That’s It, using the above steps you can download or store a video from YouTube without wasting even extra bandwidth. You can use a free desktop FLV player to watch the downloaded video or even play FLV files in Windows Media Player using a FLV codec.
Note: Sometime you will get an error while copying and pasting the fla*.tmp file to another folder, you can download a software called Unlocker to release locks on the file. To learn more on how to use the Unlocker software, visit the post on a guide to use Unlocker to release file locks.
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