Can anyone recommend a good, user-friendly program to make a slide show to music?

[ruadisneyfan2]

My grandmother passed away and for the luncheon after the funeral I'd like to display a slide show of old photos on dh's laptop, to some sentimental song. (Maybe Three Times a Lady or Time in a Bottle)
That's easy to makes slides with power point but last time I used it, I had a hard time coordinating to music Granted, this was over 6 yrs ago.
Can you recommend something easier to use?
Also I'd prefer to create it all on my desktop, then transfer to dh's laptop. Maybe later, be able to email it to relatives and make a dvd for my parents who would find it easier to watch on a regular TV.
Thanks!!!

 

[Ranger111]

Have not done it for a few years, but always used Windows Movie Maker.

If you don't like the tutorial below, try your own search on Google (windows movie maker slideshow music)

 

[Crystal824]

Windows Movie Maker. I do a slide show every year for each of children's birthdays using pictures from the prior year. It is really easy to use.

 

[DisneyPanthersFan]

OP, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

I agree with Windows Movie Maker. It is easier to use than anything else I've tried.

 

[Mickatie]

Animoto is great. So sorry for your loss.

 

[MomToOne]

I did one for my father's memorial service on Windows Movie Maker back in 2010 and found it pretty straightforward to use. I had no problem adding music - I did two different songs back to back.

The real work in making it was gathering and scanning all the old photos!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I do have Windows 10 which doesn't offer that so I guess I'm back to the drawing board...
I will look into Animoto, thanks. I did a Google search before I posted here and several search results listed SmileBox but when you read the reviews their "free" trial isn't really free: They take a cc and at the end of the trial make it extremely difficult to stop the automatic recurring charges that are buried in their fine print and how their customer service is horrible, no phone # and they rarely reply to emails about billing. ugh...

 

[calablovedisney]

I am currently on the search for software that I can make slideshows with as well. I also now have windows 10, so movie maker has issues and I had Roxio, which is also now not compatible with Windows 10. I have done some searches, and come up with a few names, but would also love any advice on this. Some that I have come across in my research and considering are: ProShow, Photostory and Photostage. Anyone heard of, or used these? Perhaps, OP, you can check these out. They are not free though. Also, very sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thank you all. I'm using power point. My sister gets 5 downloads of Office thru her employer so she gave me one to put on dh's laptop. She said once I'm done creating on my desktop I could either save it to a flashdrive or save to Dropbox then pull it up on his. This will work.

She was 99 and we are so blessed to have her all these years. (I'm in my late 40's & my dad close to 75.) So that is amazing!
My rational half reminds me to be grateful for that but my heart is breaking still.
We were planning her 100th birthday party.
I love to see these old pics from the 20's and 30's and they should be preserved so making this slideshow is good therapy for me right now.

Thank you all again and hope you find something that works for you too.
I really do appreciate all your help and input.

 

[Ranger111]

AFAIK, Movie Maker is now freeware. I have W 10 and have it.

But, you can download it, as well as other MicroSoft junkware here, directly from Microsoft:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18614/windows-essentials

How well it works in Windows 10, I have no idea. Last time I used it was before MS "upgraded" me to shedevil Cortana from Windows 7,

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

AFAIK, Movie Maker is now freeware. I have W 10 and have it.

But, you can download it, as well as other MicroSoft junkware here, directly from Microsoft:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18614/windows-essentials

How well it works in Windows 10, I have no idea. Last time I used it was before MS "upgraded" me to shedevil Cortana from Windows 7,

Thanks! I will check it out. Don't know why I didn't think to look for it. I just assumed they stopped making it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well, I stuck with PP mostly because I had already made so much progress on it and didn't feel like starting over. I have to admit it's beautiful.
It's over 90 slides and 3 songs. I hope my family enjoys it. I made some copies on cd for my parents, siblings, etc.
It took me a ridonculous amount of time to get it perfect but it's good therapy when you're grieving. For me it was anyway.

Thanks everyone!