> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vidow.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Download Video from Any Website — Quick Start Guide

> Download video from website pages in seconds with Video Downloader Plus. Install the browser extension, detect streams automatically, and save files locally or to the cloud.

## Install the extension

Video Downloader Plus runs as a browser extension that intercepts video streams as they load. Add it from the Chrome Web Store — the whole process takes under a minute.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the extension page">
    Go to the [Video Downloader Plus extension on the Chrome Web Store](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/hkdmdpdhfaamhgaojpelccmeehpfljgf) in Chrome, Edge, or Brave. If you are on Edge and prefer the native store, you can also install from the [Edge Add-ons store](https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/video-downloader-plus/cnbnfjhmdaflilgadocmfindhmcfpfnc) — both work identically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add to your browser">
    Click **Add to Chrome** and confirm the permissions prompt. Video Downloader Plus requests only the access it needs to detect streams — no browsing history, no keylogging, and all detection runs locally on your machine.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pin it to your toolbar">
    Click the puzzle-piece icon in your browser's toolbar, then click the pin icon next to Video Downloader Plus. Pinning keeps the icon visible so you can tell at a glance whether a video stream has been found on the current page.

    <Tip>You can skip pinning if you prefer a cleaner toolbar. The extension still detects streams in the background — you just won't see the status indicator change color.</Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Download your first video

Once the extension is installed, you can download video from any website that serves content over HLS (m3u8), MPEG-DASH, MP4, or WebM. Here is how the flow works.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a page with video">
    Navigate to any site with embedded video — a news clip, a tutorial, a streaming platform, or a social media post. Video Downloader Plus begins scanning for streams as soon as the page starts loading.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch for the detection signal">
    When a stream is found, the Video Downloader Plus icon in your toolbar turns blue. The number shown on the badge tells you how many distinct streams were detected on that page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Video Downloader Plus popup">
    Click the icon to open the popup panel. Each detected stream is listed with its format, estimated duration, and available quality levels.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a quality and save it">
    Select the resolution you want, then click **Download**. The file goes straight to your browser's default download folder — no intermediate steps, no redirects.

    <Note>Free accounts download at any resolution — including 4K, 8K, and high-frame-rate streams — limited to 3 downloads per day. Sign in and upgrade to a paid plan for unlimited downloads.</Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Create an account

An account is not required for basic downloads. You can install Video Downloader Plus and start saving videos right away without registering.

That said, signing up unlocks your cloud library, cross-device sync, and billing management for premium features.

1. Visit [vidow.io/register](https://vidow.io/register) — no credit card required
2. Sign up with your email address or use **Continue with Google** for one-click access via Google SSO
3. If you register by email, check your inbox and verify your address to activate the account

<Card title="Account features" icon="user-plus" href="/account/registration" horizontal>
  See what changes when you sign in — library storage, sync settings, and plan management.
</Card>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Supported browsers" icon="browsers" href="/extension/supported-browsers">
    See which browsers Video Downloader Plus runs on and any version requirements.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stream detection" icon="signal-stream" href="/features/stream-detection">
    Understand how Video Downloader Plus identifies HLS, DASH, and direct video sources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cloud storage" icon="cloud" href="/features/cloud-storage">
    Connect Google Drive, Dropbox, or S3-compatible storage for automatic uploads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plans & pricing" icon="credit-card" href="/billing/plans">
    Compare what the free tier covers versus a Professional subscription.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>