Converting mov to mpeg or avi

I gave a quick search of old posts but only saw old and unrelated topics.
I tried some of the software suggested here - but they either don't work or want money up front without a chance to see if they actually work for me.

I need to convert .mov files that I have accumilated among my folder of files that I want to use for making and saving short movie clips in Movie Maker. I have a good number of these that I want to use - but don't work, as-is.
I want a free program, preferably - or at least a full function version for a trial.

Anyone have a clue?
It seems from my search of sites and forums that this is a hard software to locate.

Thanks,
Charlie

 

Have a look at this page. http://www.videohelp.com/tools?convert=MOV to AVI Some are free.