Format Factory's Extra Tools: Screen Recorder, Downloader & File Compression
Format Factory does more than convert files. Three smaller, genuinely useful tools live inside the app that don't fit neatly under 'conversion' — here's what each actually does.
Screen Recorder
Added in version 4.8.0 (2019), this records your screen directly to a video file from within the Video panel — no separate screen-capture software needed for a quick tutorial or bug report recording.
Video Downloader
Downloads video from sites like YouTube directly into the app. As of version 5.21.0 (April 2025), this module runs on the yt-dlp engine, replacing the previous downloader — a meaningful upgrade since yt-dlp is one of the more actively maintained tools in this space.
FFZip (Zip / RAR / 7z)
Confirmed in the Document panel, FFZip decompresses Zip, RAR, and 7z archives — and compresses back into them — without needing a separate archive utility installed alongside Format Factory.
Get Format Factory 5.22.0.0
~163 MB, 64-bit Windows only, published by Free Time Software Technology Co., Ltd.. Go to the download page for the official link, the exact byte size to check it against, and a safe-download checklist.
Only 64-bit Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 are supported.
How the built-in downloader works
Paste a video URL into the downloader tool and it fetches the video directly, saving it in a format you can then convert further with the rest of the app if needed. Since it's built on yt-dlp, its actual site support tracks whatever yt-dlp itself supports — a wide range of video platforms, though we didn't test every possible source site ourselves. One thing worth keeping in mind: downloading video from a platform may be subject to that platform's own terms of service, which is worth checking independently of whether the tool technically supports it.
What the Screen Recorder is good for
This isn't a full-featured streaming or production tool — it's a straightforward screen-to-video recorder, well suited for capturing a quick how-to, documenting a bug for a support ticket, or recording a short presentation. If you need advanced features like webcam overlay, multi-scene switching, or live streaming output, dedicated software built for that purpose (like OBS Studio) will serve you better; for a simple capture without installing anything extra, this covers it.
Zip, RAR, and 7z without extra software
FFZip is a genuine convenience if you don't already have a dedicated archive manager installed — Windows' own built-in support covers Zip natively, but RAR and 7z typically need third-party software. Having decompression for all three inside Format Factory means one less separate download for anyone who occasionally receives a RAR or 7z file and doesn't want to install a standalone archive utility just for that.
More questions about the extra tools
Is the video downloader legal to use?
The tool itself is a standard technical feature, but what you download and how you use it is governed by the source platform's terms of service and applicable copyright law — that responsibility sits with the user, not the software.
Does the Screen Recorder capture system audio?
We didn't specifically verify audio-capture options (system sound vs. microphone vs. both) in our testing — check the recorder's own settings panel before an important recording to confirm it's capturing what you expect.
Can FFZip create password-protected archives?
We couldn't confirm password-protected archive creation specifically in our review — if that's a requirement, verify directly in the app or use a dedicated archive tool that explicitly advertises that feature.
Why these extras matter more than they seem
None of these three tools are the reason most people install Format Factory, but together they reduce how many separate applications you need on a fresh Windows install. Instead of a screen recorder, a video downloader, an archive utility, and a format converter as four separate downloads, you get all four bundled into one — a genuinely practical convenience for anyone setting up a new PC who'd rather not hunt down and vet four different pieces of freeware individually.
The short version
Screen Recorder for quick captures, a yt-dlp-powered downloader for online video, and FFZip for Zip/RAR/7z archives — three genuinely useful extras confirmed real in our own testing, tucked inside an app most people install purely for format conversion.
Worth exploring even if you installed for conversion
If you installed Format Factory purely to convert a file and never looked past the main conversion panels, it's worth a few minutes to browse the rest of the interface — these three tools are easy to miss entirely, and each replaces a separate piece of software you might otherwise go download on its own.
Small tools, real value
None of these three will be the reason you choose Format Factory over another converter, but once you know they're there, they genuinely reduce the number of separate apps cluttering your system — which is worth something even if it's not the headline feature.
Check the Windows menu bar for each tool
All three tools live within their respective category panels rather than a separate "extras" menu — the Screen Recorder and Video Downloader sit in the Video panel, and FFZip is under Document, so look there first if you can't immediately spot one.
A converter that does more than convert
The name "Format Factory" undersells what's actually here — recording, downloading, and archive management alongside format conversion, all in the same install. Worth remembering next time you reach for a separate app to do one of these three things.