Version 1.1 was included in Windows XP . Version 2.0 was released as a free update in November 2002, and added a number of new features. Version 2.1, a minor update, is included in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 introduced a new version of Windows Movie Maker, 2.5, with more transitions and support for DVD burning.
In Windows Vista, Windows Movie Maker has been upgraded to version 6 to match the version number of the operating system, the SDK however refers to it as version 3.0. It is included in all editions with the exception of Windows Vista Starter. A high-definition version is included in Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.
The Windows Vista version includes about 20 new effects, a few new transitions, and support for the DVR-MS file format which Windows Media Center records television in. The HD version in Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista adds support for capturing from HDV camcorders. The capture wizard will create DVR-MS type files from HDV tapes. However, the Windows Vista version of Windows Movie Maker no longer supports importing video from an analog video source such as a VCR or from a webcam.[5]
All Windows Vista versions require pixel shader hardware support. Some systems might not be able to run the newer version. Therefore, Microsoft has also released an updated older version 2.6 for Windows Vista on the Microsoft Download Center. This version requires the Windows Vista version of Windows Movie Maker to be present, but allows the use of Windows Movie Maker on systems where the Windows Vista version cannot be run. Although the installer requires Windows Vista, Movie Maker 2.6 is compatible with Windows XP.