We show you how to create the perfect home move, complete with titles, music and transitions, then output it to DVD or as an email attachment. click here

See also: Transfer high-definition footage to your Vista PC

1. Movie Maker's Tasks pane lists common actions, while the Collections window is used to access folders of clips. Select these using the View menu. The preview window on the right displays clips and can be adjusted in size by dragging the corners. Playback is controlled with the buttons underneath.

2. The default view is Storyboard - a sequence of thumbnail clips, effects and transitions, which you can drag around and rearrange. Audio is visible only in Timeline view, which has a more detailed option for finer editing such as trimming clips. Clicking the arrow beside the mode title switches between the two views.

3. One of the first things you'll want to do is organise your clips and split any that need it. Select a clip by clicking on it. Click Play under the preview monitor, then Pause when you reach the point where you want to split it. Underneath the preview monitor click Split. To join two clips choose Clip, Combine.

4. Storyboard transitions appear between clips; Timeline displays them on a separate track. Click a point in the video you wish to enhance with a transition. Choose Tools, Transitions, select one, then add it to your project using the Clip menu. Dragging the sides alters the duration; Edit, Remove deletes it.