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YouTube Downloader GUI - Setup/User Guide

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AsaTyr
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Feb 14, 2025
tool guide
YouTube Downloader GUI - Setup/User Guide

IMPORTANT THINGS: FAQ

This tool provides a graphical interface for managing video and audio downloads using yt-dlp.exe. It does not download videos by itself but acts as a wrapper for yt-dlp.exe, allowing you to queue, manage, and execute downloads easily.

🚀 Getting Started

1️⃣ Requirements

Before running the script, make sure you have:
✅ Python 3.8+ installed
✅ yt-dlp.exe in the same folder as ytdl-gui.py

2️⃣ Download yt-dlp.exe

  1. Go to the official yt-dlp GitHub Releases.

  2. Download the Windows executable (yt-dlp.exe).

  3. Place it in the same folder as ytdl-gui.py.

💡 If yt-dlp.exe is missing, the tool will prompt you to download it manually.

3️⃣ Running the Tool

Once everything is set up, start the GUI:

python ytdl-gui.py

This will open the YouTube Downloader GUI, where you can add videos to the queue and manage downloads.

📌 Using the GUI

1️⃣ Enter a YouTube URL

  • Copy & paste the YouTube URL into the input field.

  • Click the "Add to Queue" button to add it to the list.

2️⃣ Choose the Download Format

  • Video (default): Downloads both video and audio in the best available quality.

  • Audio: Downloads only the audio and converts it to MP3.

3️⃣ Select a Video Format (Only for Video Downloads)

  • Choose from MKV, MP4, WEBM, or Original format.

  • If "Original" is selected, the file remains in its native format.

4️⃣ Optional: Use Browser Cookies (YouTube Account Required)

  • If a video is age-restricted, private, or otherwise locked behind a login, you can use your browser cookies to authenticate downloads.

  • This option is OFF by default and must be manually enabled.

  • If enabled, yt-dlp.exe will use your YouTube session cookies to download videos under your YouTube account identity.

  • ⚠ IMPORTANT:

    • YouTube will know that you downloaded the video since the request will be authenticated as your account.

    • Your cookies are NOT transmitted anywhere else—they remain local to your machine and are only used by yt-dlp.exe.

    • Only enable this on personal devices you trust.

5️⃣ Start the Download Queue

  • Click "Start Queue" to begin downloading videos in order.

  • The script will execute yt-dlp.exe and process downloads one by one.

  • The output log will show progress updates.

🛠 Advanced Features & Settings

⚡ Managing the Queue

  • Each URL added will appear in the queue list.

  • To remove a video before downloading, click the red "X" button next to it.

📂 Download Location

  • Files are saved in the download/ folder inside the script directory.

  • You can change this manually in the script if needed.

🌐 Opening the GitHub Download Page for yt-dlp

  • If yt-dlp.exe is missing, the script will ask if you want to open the official GitHub page.

  • You must confirm manually before any external site is opened.

⚠ Security Considerations

🔸 Running External Executables (yt-dlp.exe)

  • This script executes yt-dlp.exe via subprocess.Popen().

  • Ensure you download yt-dlp.exe only from the official GitHub page to avoid malware risks.

🔸 Using Browser Cookies (--cookies-from-browser)

  • By default, this feature is OFF.

  • If enabled, yt-dlp will use your YouTube account session cookies to authenticate downloads.

  • YouTube will be able to see that you downloaded the video.

  • Your cookies are NOT sent to third parties—they remain on your machine.

🔸 Download Path Management

  • The tool does not restrict download paths due to its open-source nature.

  • Be cautious when modifying the script to save files outside safe directories.

❓ FAQ – Common Questions

1️⃣ Does this tool download videos?

No. This is just a graphical interface for yt-dlp.exe. It does not download videos by itself.

  • ✅ Allowed: Downloading your own uploads, public domain videos, and Creative Commons content.

  • ❌ Not Allowed: Downloading copyrighted content without permission may violate YouTube’s Terms of Service.

  • Always check your local copyright laws before using this tool.

3️⃣ Why does it ask to open a website?

  • If yt-dlp.exe is missing, the tool will ask for confirmation before opening the GitHub download page.

  • No external requests are made without user consent.

4️⃣ Is --cookies-from-browser safe to use?

  • By default, this feature is OFF.

  • If enabled, yt-dlp will use your YouTube cookies, meaning downloads will be authenticated under your YouTube account.

  • YouTube will see that you downloaded the video, but your credentials will not be transmitted elsewhere.

  • This should only be enabled on trusted, personal devices.

🔗 Acknowledgments

This tool relies on the amazing work of the yt-dlp team.
⭐ If you like yt-dlp, consider supporting them by giving their GitHub repository a star!

🚀 Conclusion

This GUI provides an easy way to manage YouTube downloads with yt-dlp.exe. It is safe, flexible, and user-controlled, ensuring you can download content legally and securely.

🔹 Follow best practices, respect copyright laws, and enjoy the tool! 😊

🔥 Key Takeaways

✔ Does not transmit data externally – Fully local execution.
✔ Optional cookie authentication – Your identity stays with YouTube, not shared elsewhere.
✔ Completely open-source – Fully customizable for personal needs.

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