How do I download an entire playlist?

Run yt-dlp --yes-playlist "PLAYLIST_URL". For 4K video+audio merges, ensure ffmpeg.exe is next to yt-dlp.exe.

How to download only specific items?

Use --playlist-items with indexes or ranges, e.g., --playlist-items 1,5,10-12.

How to keep playlist order in filenames?

Use an output template with playlist_index, e.g., -o "%(playlist_index)02d-%(title)s.%(ext)s".

How do I resume and skip duplicates?

Add --continue to resume partial files and --download-archive downloaded.txt to avoid re-downloading previously saved items.

Can I download a whole channel?

Yes. Provide the channel or @handle URL. Combine with --dateafter/--datebefore, --playlist-reverse, or --playlist-items for control.

Download YouTube Playlists & Channels (Windows)

Use yt-dlp to save full playlists or selected items, keep the original order, resume safely, and avoid duplicates. For 4K/8K merges, install FFmpeg.

⬇️ Download yt-dlp.exe

Tip: Update before heavy jobs — run yt-dlp -U to ensure the latest extractors.

• Works on Windows 11/10

Download an entire playlist

yt-dlp --yes-playlist "PLAYLIST_URL"

Preserve order in filenames: -o "%(playlist_index)02d-%(title)s.%(ext)s"
Merge best video+audio (needs FFmpeg): -f "bestvideo+bestaudio/best"

Download a range (start/end)

yt-dlp --playlist-start 5 --playlist-end 15 -o "%(playlist_index)02d-%(title)s.%(ext)s" "PLAYLIST_URL"

Specific items only

yt-dlp --playlist-items 1,5,10-12 "PLAYLIST_URL"

Resume & skip duplicates

yt-dlp --continue --download-archive downloaded.txt "PLAYLIST_URL"

--continue resumes partial downloads.
--download-archive records completed items to avoid re-downloads.

Reverse or randomize order

yt-dlp --playlist-reverse "PLAYLIST_URL" # or yt-dlp --playlist-random "PLAYLIST_URL"

Download a channel

Use the channel URL or @handle (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/@Channel/videos):

yt-dlp "CHANNEL_URL" -o "%(upload_date>%Y-%m-%d)s-%(title)s.%(ext)s"

Filter by date: --dateafter 20240101 --datebefore 20241231
Combine with --download-archive for incremental syncs.

Filenames & folders

-o "%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)02d-%(title)s.%(ext)s"

Create tidy folders per playlist and maintain sort order automatically.

Performance tips

Concurrency for fragments: -N 4 (try 4–8)
Rate limit (if throttled): --limit-rate 5M
Retry on failures: --retries 10 --fragment-retries 10

Private/age-restricted items

Use browser cookies: --cookies-from-browser chrome (or edge/firefox)
Only download content you have the rights to view and save.

FAQ

Why are some items skipped?

They might require login, be region-restricted, or already listed in your --download-archive. Check the logs for details.

Can I download in 1080p only?

Yes. Use -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best". For 4K/8K merges, ensure FFmpeg is installed.

How do I change the order?

Use --playlist-reverse to invert order or --playlist-random to shuffle. Filenames with %(playlist_index) preserve the sequence.

Where do files save?

By default, in the current folder. Use -o to set names/paths, e.g., -o "C:/Videos/%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)02d-%(title)s.%(ext)s".

Legal & safety

yt-dlp is open source and safe. Only download content you have rights to and comply with each website's Terms of Service.

More: Safe & Legal Gui • Need 4K merges? FFmpeg setup