With the rise of online video streaming, YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for sharing and watching videos. However, not everyone has the luxury of a stable internet connection all the time, or they may simply want to store their favorite videos for offline viewing. In such cases, saving YouTube videos to an external hard drive can be a useful solution. In this article, we will guide you through the process and answer some related frequently asked questions.
How to Save YouTube Videos to External Hard Drive
To save YouTube videos to an external hard drive, follow these simple steps:
1. **Choose a reliable downloading tool:** There are several trustworthy software options available, such as 4K Video Downloader, WinX YouTube Downloader, or ClipGrab. Download and install one of these tools on your computer.
2. **Copy the YouTube video URL:** Go to YouTube and locate the video you want to save. Copy the URL from the address bar of your browser.
3. **Launch the downloading tool:** Open the downloading tool you installed earlier, and you will typically find an option to paste the video URL.
4. **Paste the video URL:** In the downloading tool, paste the YouTube video URL you copied. Ensure it is correctly entered.
5. **Select the desired video quality and format:** Depending on the tool you are using, you may have the option to choose the video quality and format before downloading. Select the quality and format you prefer.
6. **Choose the external hard drive as the output destination:** Before starting the download, make sure to select your external hard drive as the output destination to save the video directly there.
7. **Click on the download button:** Once all the necessary settings are in place, click on the download button to initiate the process. The video will be saved directly to your external hard drive.
8. **Wait for the download to complete:** The time it takes for the download to finish will depend on your internet speed, the size of the video, and other factors. Wait patiently until the download is complete.
9. **Verify the downloaded video:** Once the download is finished, go to your external hard drive and verify that the video is successfully saved. You can double-click on it to check if it plays without any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I save copyrighted videos from YouTube to my hard drive?
No, downloading copyrighted videos without permission from the copyright owner is illegal.
2. Is it possible to save only the audio from a YouTube video?
Yes, many downloading tools allow you to extract the audio from a YouTube video and save it as an audio file.
3. Can I save YouTube videos directly to my external hard drive without downloading software?
No, you need specialized software to download YouTube videos and save them to your external hard drive.
4. Are there any online tools for saving YouTube videos to an external hard drive?
Yes, there are online services available, such as y2mate.com, that allow you to save YouTube videos to your external hard drive without the need for software installation.
5. How much space is required on an external hard drive to save YouTube videos?
The amount of space required will depend on the size and number of videos you plan to save. It’s advisable to have a larger capacity external hard drive for storing videos.
6. Can I transfer saved YouTube videos from my external hard drive to another device?
Yes, once the YouTube videos are saved on your external hard drive, you can transfer them to other devices such as smartphones, tablets, or other computers.
7. Can I save YouTube playlists to my external hard drive?
Yes, some downloading tools allow you to download entire YouTube playlists and save them to your external hard drive.
8. Is it legal to save my own YouTube videos to an external hard drive?
Yes, as the owner of the content, you have the right to download and save your own videos from YouTube.
9. Can I save YouTube live stream videos to an external hard drive?
Yes, you can save live stream videos by using downloading tools that support capturing live streams.
10. Do downloaded YouTube videos consume internet data when played from the external hard drive?
No, once the video is downloaded and saved locally, it can be played without using any internet data.
11. Can I edit downloaded YouTube videos stored on my external hard drive?
Yes, you can use video editing software to edit downloaded YouTube videos stored on your external hard drive.
12. Are there any alternatives to external hard drives for storing YouTube videos?
Yes, you can also save YouTube videos to other storage devices like USB flash drives, SD cards, or cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
In conclusion, saving YouTube videos to an external hard drive provides the convenience of offline access and allows you to build your own video library. By following the outlined steps and using reliable downloading software, you can easily store your favorite YouTube videos for offline enjoyment.