YouTube under Windows XP - Downloaders, players and browser support

[gaouser]

May try making a custom proxy sending MP4s for youtube videos using YT-DLP running on a server, GUI client would be easy as WinMedia Player provides ActiveX's

[AstroSkipper]

On 4/4/2025 at 6:13 PM, AstroSkipper said:

ytBATCH for Windows XP - A fork of ytBATCH by AstroSkipper

ytBATCH for Windows XP is a YouTube video and audio downloader script (or better a script ensemble) forked by @AstroSkipper from eppic's original ytBATCH script on GitHub. A lot about this project can be read in my post Pre-release of ytBATCH for Windows XP - A fork of ytBATCH by AstroSkipper. This is the first final release in version 1.5 and a big leap forward with many changes and corrections compared to the pre-release 1.0. All changes can be found in my very long changelog. So, I'll spare you a lot of words at this point and let a few screenshots speak for themselves:













ytBATCH for Windows XP - Changelog:

ytBATCH for Windows XP - Pre-release version 1.0 (aka 2.9.2):

• wget dowloader added.
• 7-Zip command line tool added.
• Missing DOS command choice.exe added.
• Non XP-compatible PowerShell commands removed. New, compatible code added.
• @nicolaasjan's youtube-dl and yt-dlp releases implemented.
• @Reino's latest ffmpeg release implemented.
• Update module in terms of youtube-dl, yt-dlp and ffmpeg changed.

ytBATCH for Windows XP - Inofficial development builds 1.1 -1.4:

• Autoupdate module for ytBATCH completely removed.
• Update module for ytBATCH converted into a version check one.
• Command line tools cecho, window and nircmd added.
• Specific sizes and positions for all windows established.
• All menus reworked and key commands coloured red.
• Several new menu items added.
• Several bugs fixed.

ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.5 - Final release:

• Complete review of ytBATCH's algorithm.
• Due to changes in pre-configurations, installer module fully reworked.
• Some illogical or incomplete actions fixed.
• New batch files created and added.
• New menu items added. Beside others, links to the homepages of youtube-dl, yt-dlp, ffmpeg, ytBATCH for Windows XP and an About ytBATCH for Windows XP menu item to inform users and to give credits to the creators of programmes used.
• Non-functional download queue restored.
• New queue menu item added.
• A problematic and actually unnecessary, global variable completely removed.
• A new, global variable added.
• The handling of the download history changed.
• Config files for youtube-dl and yt-dlp created and assigned to each of them. The respective, desired command line options are permanently saved there. 
• Wrong command line options for youtube-dl corrected.
• Some important command line options have been preset by me in the new config files of youtube-dl and yt-dlp. Among other things, the video resolution is limited to a maximum of 480p. If other resolutions are required, please change this default setting in these new config files!
• The ability to download subtitles via youtube-dl restored.
• youtube-dl is now correctly implemented and working in ytBATCH.
• Install and update module changed to implement @Reino's ffprobe which is needed in some cases.
• Update module for youtube-dl and yt-dlp fully reworked. A version check created and preceded.
• A further module for a direct update of youtube-dl, yt-dlp and ffmpeg reworked and made accessible as a menu item.
• Help for youtube-dl respectively yt-dlp added for a quick access to all available command line options.
• Further bugs, flaws and imperfections fixed.
• Command line tool shortcut32 added.
• During the initial setup, a desktop shortcut to the ytBATCH.bat start file will be automatically created.
• Different shortcuts added to a new subfolder lnk with specific colour schemes which will be automatically adjusted during the initial setup. The user can copy the desired one to the desktop.
• Menu item Generate ytBATCH for Windows XP shortcuts adapted to recent changes.
• ytBATCH icon file created and added to the main folder for use in shortcuts.

Compatibility notes:

ytBATCH for Windows XP does not have special system requirements and should run everywhere. However, it was developed under Windows XP Professional 32-Bit but should actually run under other legacy OSes like Windows Vista or Windows 7, too. I couldn't test this but the users can do it and report here. If you run Windows XP on a computer with an SSE-only CPU, however, you can only use youtube-dl as the default YouTube downloader.

Download links:

Download link for the ytBATCH for Windows XP - Pre-release version 1.0 (aka 2.9.2): 
https://www.mediafire.com/file/6c9hfkfpiwextf0/ytBATCH_for_Windows_XP_2.9.2.7z/file

And here is the download link for the final release ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.5:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/7qljpnbzsxk1yn5/ytBATCH_for_Windows_XP_1.5.7z/file

ytBATCH for Windows XP is fully portable. It does not write any values to the registry and does not store any settings outside its programme folder. That means all settings are located only in its programme folder. Only a shortcut is placed on the desktop during setup. Nevertheless, the initial setup should be carried out with my original archive due to the adjustments in terms of the desired programme location that are automatically performed by the script during the initial setup and are necessary. A simple move of the programme folder after initial setup to another location would therefore make all shortcuts useless. If you do yet such a move after initial setup, you have to call the Installer.bat in the bin directory separately to re-adjust all shortcuts to the new location. The download folder for media files can be preset in the Preferences window via the menu item Change Output Path. I recommend to check all options inside this script by pressing corresponding keys to set it optimally. As far as I have noticed, all is working fine under Windows XP. And I have deeply tested all functions there. The general use of ytBATCH for Windows XP is actually self-explanatory and well documented on ytBATCH's homepage: https://github.com/eppic/ytBATCH. Of course, some features are only available in my fork.  Any opinions, questions or experiences on my release ytBATCH for Windows XP are of course welcome here in my thread. If you encounter any issues with my fork, please post it only here and not on GitHub! This fork is unofficial and not supported on GitHub.

Greetings from Germany, AstroSkipper


P.S. from 04.04.2025: Please redownload the final release ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.5 if you have already downloaded it! I forgot to adapt one menu item to a very recent change.

Due to a recent change in @nicolaasjan's yt-dlp release, I had to change the update module for the YouTube downloaders in my release ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.5. Additionally, I modified both config files youtube-dl.conf and yt-dlp.conf to download YouTube videos with a resolution 480p and the h264 codec at maximum combined with the audio codec mp4a for all Windows XP users on old, weak hardware like me , and to embed subtitles. These config files can of course be edited by the user to use higher codecs and resolutions at any time. ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.6 will be released soon.

Edited April 15 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[nicolaasjan]

15 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Due to a recent change in @nicolaasjan's yt-dlp release, I had to change the update module for the YouTube downloaders in my release ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.5.

What did I change? I can't remember having done anything to the yt-dlp release.

[AstroSkipper]

5 hours ago, nicolaasjan said:

What did I change? I can't remember having done anything to the yt-dlp release.

When checking for a yt-dlp update, the command yt-dlp -U always gave an error messsge but never performed an update under Windows XP. Recently, this message no longer appears, and yt-dlp is updated directly to a version that is not XP-compatible. Since this command wasn't a big hit under Windows XP anyway, I've now programmed the yt-dlp update check to be squeaky clean. In the upcoming release 1.6, a clean version check will be carried out as it is already performed by the youtube-dl update module. The direct updater has also been modified accordingly. No more youtube-dl -U or yt-dlp -U commands.

Edited April 16 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[nicolaasjan]

6 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

When checking for a yt-dlp update, the command yt-dlp -U always gave an error message but never performed an update under Windows XP. Recently, this message no longer appears, and yt-dlp is updated directly to a version that is not XP-compatible.

I've confirmed that version 2025.03.28.070132 still gives the right message:

Current version: local@2025.03.28
Latest version: stable@2025.03.31 from yt-dlp/yt-dlp
ERROR: Do not update the XP build with -U. Instead download from GitHub Releases again when a new version is available.

Version 2025.04.01.080324 doesn't give the error message, but instead upgrades to the official x86 build.

I must have forgotten to edit `version.py`.

UPDATE_HINT = 'Do not update this build with -U. Instead download from my GitHub Releases again when a new version is available.'

 

[AstroSkipper]

17 minutes ago, nicolaasjan said:

I've confirmed that version 2025.03.28.070132 still gives the right message:

Current version: local@2025.03.28
Latest version: stable@2025.03.31 from yt-dlp/yt-dlp
ERROR: Do not update the XP build with -U. Instead download from GitHub Releases again when a new version is available.

Version 2025.04.01.080324 doesn't give the error message, but instead upgrades to the official x86 build.

I must have forgotten to edit `version.py`.

UPDATE_HINT = 'Do not update this build with -U. Instead download from my GitHub Releases again when a new version is available.'

 

Yep. But as I already mentioned, my new code does not use this command any longer but instead yt-dlp --version respectively youtube-dl --version as a basis. All further processing, you will see in my upcoming release ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.6. 

[AstroSkipper]

ytBATCH for Windows XP has been updated and is now available in version 1.6. All changes I have made and the download link can be found here: 

Greetings, AstroSkipper

[AstroSkipper]

ytBATCH for Windows XP was developed by me primarily as a YouTube downloader. I have preset its configuration files for this purpose and configured it by default so that users with weaker hardware can also use it. Those using much more powerful hardware should adapt the two configuration files yt-dlp.conf and youtube-dl.conf in the cfg folder to their needs. I was recently asked whether ytBATCH for Windows XP can also be used to download video or audio files on other platforms. This should be possible, as yt-dlp and youtube-dl support different websites and platforms by default. However, new, additional configuration files must be created for these and provided with command line options that are compatible with these services. When doing so, it is very important that the currently active config files always have to be named yt-dlp.conf and youtube-dl.conf. In any case, I would personally like to hear about your experiences with ytBATCH for Windows XP. Furthermore, I have expressed the assumption that my downloader also works under other, older operating systems such as Windows Vista or Windows 7, which I am looking forward to receiving confirmation of. In any case, developers who don't earn a cent with their programmes live at least from the feedback of their users. 

Edited April 18 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[Cixert]

Thanks @AstroSkipper for creating this compilation of YouTube download for XP.
I have had some ISSUES:

1.- YouTube-DL Gui 0.4
I find no route in which there is "YouTube-DL Exe" to be replaced by the XP compatible version.
I'm not entirely sure which file you're saying needs to be replaced, and with which one.
In any case...
You say it is in "Documents and Settings \ Your Username \ Application Data \ YouTube-Dlg"
But on this route I only find these files:
-log
-settings.json
I have tried to paste "YouTube-DL Exe" but YouTube-DL Gui 0.4 do not download videos.
At some point I have seen that YouTube-DL Gui 0.4 says download the last "YouTube-Dl Exe", but I don't know where. As much as I am looking, I can't find it.

2.- YTBatch for Windows XP 1.5
The installation scrip gives me two errors.
First says:
System Error 3 has occurred.
The system cannot find the specified route.

Then ask, if I want to keep the original folder.
I understand what I have to say yes.
The scrip says install without problems.

-Now I run "Ytbatch Bat" from the installation route and this enters loop.
This proceeds to download "YT-DLP EXE" and issues the error "Y-T dlp exe is not recognized as an internal or external command"


With what proceeds to try the download over and over again!

I have installed the last visual C ++ 2010 that I think is a requirement.
I have not tried YTBatch for Windows XP 1.6
Point out that making a routine scan with Avast Antivirus this detects YTBatch for Windows XP 1.5 as a virus in the file "Windows exe".

3.- I had a YouTube Downloaders list has long stored. Among all I see that there is one that is compatible even with Windows XP, but I can't download any video.
It seems to use Python 2.7 and a compatible FFMPEG.
The Build is 2025.03.27
You can find two brands, but it is the same program.
4Media Download YouTube Video 5.7.13.20250327
(The web says Update 2021 but it is Update 2025)
http://www.mp4converter.net/download-youtube-video-win.html
Xilisoft Download YouTube Video 5.7.13.20250327
https://www.xilisoft.com/download-youtube-video.html
and ...
Xilisoft Youtube to MP3 Converter 5.7.13.20250327
http://www.xilisoft.es/youtube-to-mp3-converter.html
(Again says Update 2021 but it's Update 2025)

Edited April 19 by Cixert

[AstroSkipper]

10 hours ago, Cixert said:

2.- YTBatch for Windows XP 1.5
The installation scrip gives me two errors.
First says:
System Error 3 has occurred.
The system cannot find the specified route.

Then ask, if I want to keep the original folder.
I understand what I have to say yes.
The scrip says install without problems.

-Now I run "Ytbatch Bat" from the installation route and this enters loop.
This proceeds to download "YT-DLP EXE" and issues the error "Y-T dlp exe is not recognized as an internal or external command"


With what proceeds to try the download over and over again!

I have installed the last visual C ++ 2010 that I think is a requirement.
I have not tried YTBatch for Windows XP 1.6
Point out that making a routine scan with Avast Antivirus this detects YTBatch for Windows XP 1.5 as a virus in the file "Windows exe".

First of all, thanks for your feedback!  
System Error 3, also known as "The system cannot find the path specified," usually means the program can't locate the file or directory it's trying to access. Getting this error means you did unfortunately something wrong.  Did you read my instructions carefully?  After unpacking the archive file, you have to call first the ytBATCH.bat file located in the main programme folder. Then, you are asked to either setup ytBATCH for Windows XP to your programme folder of your system or to the location where you have unpacked the archive. All further processing is done by the script. Read this here:

On 3/20/2025 at 12:15 AM, AstroSkipper said:

The use of ytBATCH for Windows XP is actually self-explanatory and well documented on ytBATCH's homepage: https://github.com/eppic/ytBATCH. Extract the downloaded archive file to a location of your choice and start the ytBATCH.bat file located in the main folder. A prompt appears asking to install ytBATCH. You can now either install ytBATCH to AppData ProgramFiles and generate a shortcut or keep ytBATCH at the current location. I personally prefer the latter. The download of all necessary files will then automatically start. All files will be unpacked and saved in a freshly created exe subfolder.

For a deeper, more technical explanation, read the post Setting up ytBATCH for Windows XP.
And the scan result of the Window.exe file is as always a false positive.  This file is used by me for sizing and positioning CMD windows and totally harmless. 

Long story short, delete your unpacked folder completely and do all once again! After unpacking again, solely and exclusively call up the file ytBATCH.bat file located in the main programme directory. And use ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.6! It is better than version 1.5 since it is more up to date. 

Edited April 19 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

6 hours ago, Cixert said:

1.- YouTube-DL Gui 0.4
I find no route in which there is "YouTube-DL Exe" to be replaced by the XP compatible version.
I'm not entirely sure which file you're saying needs to be replaced, and with which one.
In any case...
You say it is in "Documents and Settings \ Your Username \ Application Data \ YouTube-Dlg"
But on this route I only find these files:
-log
-settings.json
I have tried to paste "YouTube-DL Exe" but YouTube-DL Gui 0.4 do not download videos.
At some point I have seen that YouTube-DL Gui 0.4 says download the last "YouTube-Dl Exe", but I don't know where. As much as I am looking, I can't find it.

I do not use YouTube-DL Gui 0.4 anymore. ytBATCH for Windows XP is much better. But I will have a look at it when I am back at my desktop computer.

[AstroSkipper]

6 hours ago, Cixert said:

3.- I had a YouTube Downloaders list has long stored. Among all I see that there is one that is compatible even with Windows XP, but I can't download any video.
It seems to use Python 2.7 and a compatible FFMPEG.
The Build is 2025.03.27
You can find two brands, but it is the same program.
4Media Download YouTube Video 5.7.13.20250327
(The web says Update 2021 but it is Update 2025)
http://www.mp4converter.net/download-youtube-video-win.html
Xilisoft Download YouTube Video 5.7.13.20250327
https://www.xilisoft.com/download-youtube-video.html
and ...
Xilisoft Youtube to MP3 Converter 5.7.13.20250327
http://www.xilisoft.es/youtube-to-mp3-converter.html
(Again says Update 2021 but it's Update 2025)

I did not list them since they are more or less all similar to Allavsoft Video Downloader Converter. 

[AstroSkipper]

Setting up ytBATCH for Windows XP

And for all setting up (I deliberately avoid the term installing at this point since my downloader is actually portable) ytBATCH for Windows XP, here some more technical explanations in terms of the setup process. Executing the ytBATCH.bat file located in the main programme directory of the unpacked archive calls up the Launcher.bat file which decides apart from other tasks whether it is an initial setup or not. In the case of such an initial setup, it performs then an automatic, unique start of the file called Installer.bat which copies the unpacked folder to the %ProgramFiles% location if wanted by the user, generates a desktop shortcut and adjusts all additional shortcuts with different colour schemes in the subfolder lnk. After finishing its job, it then starts the FileDownloder.bat file which downloads, unpacks and stores all necessary files into the exe subfolder. All is automatically done by the script. The user has only to make some few decisions. Furthermore, all important things are explained by the output of the script. 
If the user decides to reinstall my YouTube downloader ytBATCH for Windows XP, both the complete programme folder and the desktop shortcut have to be deleted, or alternatively all files inside the exe subfolder and only the UserConfig.bat file inside the cfg subfolder have to be removed. The setup or reinstall routine has always to be started with the execution of the ytBATCH.bat file located in the main programme folder.

And that means do not manually call up any of the batch files inside the bin subfolder! 

These files will be only executed by the batch files themselves. At no time does one of these need to be called up by a user.  This also applies when everything is set up. 

Anyone who still manages to generate an error message while setting up ytBATCH for Windows XP after all these explanations has exceptional skills  and should contact me urgently here in this thread for further treatment.   And don't be afraid, all at no costs, of course! 

Cheers, AstroSkipper 

Edited April 19 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[Cixert]

5 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Anyone who still manages to generate an error message while setting up ytBATCH for Windows XP after all these explanations has exceptional skills  and should contact me urgently here in this thread for further treatment.   And don't be afraid, all at no costs, of course! 

Cheers, AstroSkipper 

 Well, I've looked into the issues a little more deeply. 

1.- YouTube-DL Gui 0.4

For some reason, the video download didn't work; perhaps the internet connection failed. It's working now.
The confusion arises here because the program is no longer able to download "youtube-dl exe" to the path "Documents and Settings \ Your Username \ Application Data \ YouTube-Dlg" and in the folder is missing this file.
For clarity, I think it should be noted that "youtube-dl exe" must be pasted into that path.
From what I'm seeing, the latest official version of youtube-dl is compatible with Windows XP, but only with SSE2 processors.
I think it's important to point this out so the user can decide between the official version and the @nicolaasjan fork compatible with SSE1 processors.
Is there any other difference on XP?

2.- YTBatch for Windows XP 1.5
Problem detected. The script is not able to unzip the download "yt-dlp_x86_windows-xp.zip" (See in my screenshot the message permission denied). If I enter the folder \ytBATCH for Windows XP 1.5\exe\ and unzip it manually the program continues with the download of "ffmpeg-7.1-2362-6aafe61-win32-static-xpmod-sse.7z". But with this file the same problem occurs, it must be unzipped manually so that finally, now yes, ytBATCH for Windows XP starts.

Edited April 19 by Cixert

[Lirk]

I noticed a problem with YouTube playback in Daum PotPlayer. After manual updating parser you need to clear %USERPROFILE%\Cookies directory from filenames, which contains "*youtube*" or "*daum*".