Free video editor for old computers - any good options?

[Jacob72]

My parents have an old desktop from 2012 that they want to use for editing family videos. It's running Windows 10 with 4GB RAM and a basic dual-core CPU. Are there any free video editor for old computers that would actually run smoothly on this kind of hardware? They just need to trim clips, add some transitions, and maybe put titles on home videos. Nothing fancy, but it needs to be stable and not crash constantly.

[Avery66]

For a free video editor for old computers like your parents' 2012 desktop, I'd recommend OpenShot. It's designed to work on older hardware and has a straightforward interface that's not too intimidating for beginners. I've set it up on similar systems for family members and it works well for basic home video editing. The key is to keep projects simple - don't try to use too many effects or transitions on such old hardware.

[JasonRJ]

On really old hardware like that, I'd actually suggest starting with the Windows built-in Video Editor. It's extremely lightweight since it's part of the OS. For basic trimming and combining of family videos, it might be all they need. If they need more features, then try OpenShot, but the built-in tool will definitely run smoothly on a 2012 system with 4GB RAM.

[AuroraS]

For a 2012 system with 4GB RAM, you need to be realistic about expectations. Any video editing will be slow. That said, OpenShot or Shotcut should work for basic editing. Make sure they're working with low-resolution footage if possible (720p instead of 1080p), and keep projects simple. The rendering will take a long time, but the editing process itself should be usable for basic tasks.

[Nathan.A]

I helped my grandparents with a similar setup. We ended up using VSDC Free Video Editor because it has a simple wizard mode that guides you through basic edits. The full interface is complicated but the wizard makes it accessible for beginners. It ran okay on their old computer, though rendering took forever. For a free video editor that works on old computers, it's worth trying.

[Nicholas35]

For that specific use case (family videos on very old hardware), I'd recommend keeping it as simple as possible. The Windows built-in Video Editor is probably the best choice. It will definitely run smoothly, and the feature set is sufficient for basic home video editing. If they find it too limited, then you can try installing OpenShot, but start with the built-in tool first.