If you bought a PC and own a legitimate copy of Windows, as far as we are concerned you have already paid for enough software. Why buy video editing software? Don't risk getting it through not-so-legitimate means! Explore Open Source solutions and find a program to suit your needs. Here are a few examples:

Jahshaka

Jahshaka is available for a number of operating systems. It is, however, one of the best available for Windows. It has a large array of features including a frame-by-frame paint over video facility, a production titling component, full video and audio editing, animation, and a special effects lab. A nice touch is the ability to switch between one of three interface modes (home, hobby and full production). Other features of note are the 3D Animation and the paint modules. Of the Open Source options available, this is the one I would recommend as a valid alternative to the more mainstream proprietary packages such as those offered by Adobe and Sony.

Check Jahshaka out.

Virtual Dub

Virtual Dub is a simple capture and processing system. It lacks the editing features some would expect being more suited to grabbing video and quickly making it viewable. If you are struggling with the built-in capture software you are using then Virtual Dub may be the way to go. If you are looking for any sort of editing ability, this isn't the one for you. On the possitive side, Virtual Dub is super fast, so fast it may even be a good option to use it in conjunction with a more powerful editing platform. Also, it isn't strictly Open Source, but it is free, and that counts for something.

Virtual Dub

A small tip of the iceberg is represented here. There are probably ones out there better suited to specific tasks. If you think you know of one, tell us about it. Don't be discouraged by my Jahshaka bias (the combination of Rasta reference and Zulu history worked for me).