Watching downloaded YouTube videos on your computer primarily depends on how the videos were acquired. This often refers to two main scenarios: accessing videos saved through a YouTube Premium subscription or playing video files directly downloaded to your computer's local storage.
How to Watch YouTube Premium Downloaded Videos on Your Computer
If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, you can download videos directly within the YouTube platform for offline viewing. These "downloads" are not typically transferable files but are accessible through the YouTube website while signed into your Premium account.
Accessing Your Premium Downloads:
To watch videos you've downloaded using YouTube Premium on your computer, follow these simple steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Visit YouTube.com from your web browser. Ensure you are signed in to your YouTube Premium account. |
| 2. | Look for the left-hand navigation menu on the YouTube homepage. Click on "Downloads". |
| 3. | You will see a list of all videos you've downloaded. Click on any video to begin watching it offline. |
- Key Insight: YouTube Premium downloads are designed for offline viewing within the YouTube ecosystem. They are not saved as standard video files (like .mp4 or .mov) that you can move or play with external media players on your computer. They remain accessible only through the YouTube website or app while your Premium subscription is active.
How to Watch Locally Saved Video Files on Your Computer
If you've downloaded YouTube videos using a browser's built-in download feature (for public domain or legally shareable content where a download button is provided) or a third-party downloading tool, these videos are saved as standard video files (e.g., MP4, MKV, AVI) directly onto your computer's hard drive.
Steps to Watch Locally Saved Videos:
-
Locate the Downloaded File:
- Most web browsers save downloaded files to a default "Downloads" folder. You can usually find this in your user directory (e.g.,
C:\Users\YourName\Downloadson Windows, or/Users/YourName/Downloadson macOS). - Alternatively, check your browser's download history (usually by pressing
Ctrl+Jon Windows orCmd+Shift+Jon macOS, or looking for a "Downloads" section in your browser menu) to find the file's exact location or open it directly.
- Most web browsers save downloaded files to a default "Downloads" folder. You can usually find this in your user directory (e.g.,
-
Open with a Media Player:
- Once located, simply double-click the video file. Your computer's default media player will typically open and begin playing the video.
- If the video doesn't play or you prefer a different player, right-click on the file, select "Open with," and choose your preferred media player from the list.
Recommended Media Players for Local Files:
- VLC Media Player: A highly versatile, free, and open-source player that supports almost every video format imaginable. It's an excellent choice for any downloaded video.
- Windows Media Player (Windows): The default player for Windows computers.
- Movies & TV (Windows): Another built-in player on newer Windows versions.
- QuickTime Player (macOS): The default player for macOS.
- IINA (macOS): A modern, powerful, and free media player for macOS, similar to VLC.
Tips for Local Downloads:
- File Formats: Most YouTube downloads will be in MP4 format, which is widely compatible. Other formats like WebM or MKV are also common.
- Storage Space: Be mindful of your computer's storage, as video files, especially in high resolution, can take up significant space.
Understanding the distinction between YouTube Premium's in-app downloads and standard local file downloads is key to watching your favorite YouTube content on your computer.
