On a computer, most people reach for one of two things to download a YouTube video: a desktop program or a browser extension. Both come with strings attached. The Chrome Web Store does not allow extensions that download YouTube videos, so the ones that claim to do it are installed from other websites, and an extension can read every page you visit. Free desktop downloaders are often bundled with adware, toolbars or "special offers" that are easy to accept by accident.
You can skip all of that. Any browser on Windows, macOS, Linux or ChromeOS can download a YouTube video straight to your Downloads folder, in up to 4K quality, with nothing to install. Here is how, step by step.
Download a YouTube Video on Windows (Chrome, Edge or Firefox)
- Open the video on YouTube and copy its address: click the address bar (or press Ctrl + L) and press Ctrl + C. You can also click Share › Copy under the video.
- Open a new tab (Ctrl + T) and go to y2mate-official.com.
- Click the box at the top, press Ctrl + V to paste the link and press Enter. No link? Type the video's title instead and pick it from the results.
- The video page lists every available quality on the 🎬 Video tab, together with its file size. Click Download next to the quality you want.
- A small window shows that the file is being prepared. After a few seconds it says "File ready!". Click Download to save it.
The video goes to your Downloads folder (This PC › Downloads). Press Ctrl + J in Chrome or Edge to open the list of downloads, then click the file to play it.
Download a YouTube Video on a Mac (Safari or Chrome)
- Copy the video's address: press ⌘ + L, then ⌘ + C.
- Open y2mate-official.com in a new tab (⌘ + T), paste the link with ⌘ + V and press Return.
- Click Download next to the quality you want, wait for "File ready!" and click Download again.
- The first time, Safari may ask whether you want to allow downloads on y2mate-official.com. Click Allow.
The file is saved in the Downloads folder, which you can open from the Dock or the Finder sidebar.
Handy Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Windows / Linux | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Select the address bar | Ctrl + L | ⌘ + L |
| Copy / paste | Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V | ⌘ + C / ⌘ + V |
| Open a new tab | Ctrl + T | ⌘ + T |
| Show downloads in Chrome | Ctrl + J | ⌘ + Shift + J |
| Show downloads in Edge | Ctrl + J | — |
| Show downloads in Firefox | Ctrl + Shift + Y | ⌘ + Shift + Y |
| Show downloads in Safari | — | ⌘ + Option + L |
Which Quality Should You Choose on a Computer?
Most laptop screens are Full HD (1920 × 1080) or a little more, so 1080p is the sweet spot: it looks as sharp as YouTube in full screen and takes about 200–350 MB per ten minutes of video. Choose 720p to save space, or for lectures and slide presentations where fine detail matters less.
Pick 1440p or 2160p (4K) if you have a 1440p or 4K monitor, or plan to watch on a 4K TV. These files are several times larger, and YouTube usually stores them in the newer AV1 format. To play AV1 files:
- Windows 10 and 11: the built-in Media Player needs Microsoft's free AV1 Video Extension from the Microsoft Store. VLC plays them without any extra install.
- Mac: QuickTime Player cannot open AV1 files on many Macs. The free players VLC and IINA play them on every Mac.
If you need the file for a video editor, a presentation or an older TV, stay with 1080p or lower. On YouTube those qualities usually come in H.264, the format that practically every program and device understands.
Save Only the Audio
To keep a song, a podcast or a lecture as an audio file, open the 🎵 Audio tab on the video page. You can choose MP3 320kbps, MP3 128kbps or M4A 128kbps. M4A is YouTube's own audio track, copied without any conversion; MP3 plays on every device, including old car stereos and MP3 players. Our comparison of M4A and MP3 explains the difference, and the YouTube to MP3 page works the same way as the video downloader.
Downloading Long Videos and Big Files
A two-hour video in 4K can be several gigabytes. A few tips for big downloads:
- Keep the browser open and the computer awake until the download is finished. On a laptop, plug in the charger so it does not go to sleep halfway.
- Use a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal. If the download stops, start it again from the video page.
- Check your free disk space first: the size is shown next to each quality.
- Saving straight to a USB pen drive? Drives formatted as FAT32 cannot hold files larger than 4 GB. Our guide to watching YouTube videos on a TV from a pen drive explains how to deal with that.
For podcasts, livestream recordings and other videos that run for hours, read how to download long YouTube videos without crashes.
Troubleshooting
- Nothing happens when you click Download. Look for a blocked-download or pop-up icon in the address bar and allow it. Extensions that block scripts can also stop the page from working; try a private window with extensions turned off.
- "Download limit reached. Try again in…" Each connection can start only a few downloads within a short time. Wait for the countdown to finish, then click Download again.
- "Failed to load formats. Please refresh the page." Refresh the page. If it keeps happening, YouTube may be slowing down requests for a few minutes; try again shortly.
- The video plays without sound. Files from Y2Mate Official always include the audio track, so the player is probably unable to decode it. Open the file in VLC.
- Messages about private, age-restricted or members-only videos. These videos cannot be downloaded. Every message is explained in Y2Mate Not Working? Common Errors and How to Fix Them.
Please download only videos you have the right to keep, such as your own uploads, Creative Commons videos, or content the creator allows you to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download a YouTube video on my laptop without software?
Copy the video link, paste it into Y2Mate Official in your browser, click Download next to the quality you want and save the file. Nothing needs to be installed.
Where do downloaded videos go on Windows?
To your Downloads folder (This PC › Downloads), unless you have chosen another folder in your browser's settings. Press Ctrl + J to see the list of downloads.
Can I download 4K videos on a PC?
Yes, when the video was uploaded in 4K. Choose 2160p on the video page. 4K files are large and usually use the AV1 format, so play them with VLC or install the free AV1 Video Extension on Windows.
Does it work on a Mac or a Chromebook?
Yes. It works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Edge on macOS, and in Chrome on ChromeOS. Files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Is MP4 or WebM better on a computer?
MP4 opens in more programs, including video editors and PowerPoint. Y2Mate Official offers MP4 whenever YouTube has that quality in MP4.
Is there a limit on video length?
There is no fixed limit. Long videos simply take longer to download, so keep the browser open until the download is complete.
