Trimming videos on Windows 11 isn’t as tricky as it might seem — honestly, it’s pretty easy once you find your way around. Sometimes, the Photos app can be a bit sneaky or hidden away, so here’s a quick rundown to save you a bit of hassle.
How to Trim Video on Windows 11
This mainly involves using the Photos app, which most folks already have installed. Weirdly enough, Microsoft decided to keep it simple, and it does the job for quick trims. If you just want to chop off the start or end of a clip without messing around with fancy editors, this method’s perfect. Plus, it saves a copy, so your original stays untouched.
Step 1: Open the Photos App
Have a look in your Start menu or hit the search bar and type “Photos”. It’s usually there by default, and on some setups, it’s even the default app for opening videos. If you can’t spot it straight away, it’s often tucked away in the list of apps, but searching usually does the trick.
Step 2: Import Your Video
Find your video file in your folders. Right-click it, then choose Open with > Photos. Sometimes, double-clicking does the job, but right-clicking and selecting Photos is a good backup. Your video’ll then open up in the Photos app. Not sure why it works this way, but some videos load faster than others — classic Windows stuff.
Step 3: Hit Edit & Create
Once the video pops up, look for the Edit & Create button at the top. Click it. That opens a small menu with tools mainly for quick edits. For trimming, that’s where the magic happens.
Step 4: Choose Trim
In the menu, click Trim. It brings up a new window with two sliders on the timeline. Think of it like a brush for your clip; drag those sliders to cut out the parts you don’t want. Fair dinkum, I’ve seen it act a bit funny on some setups — on one machine it failed outright, on another it worked first go. Usual Windows antics.
Step 5: Adjust the Sliders
Move the sliders to set where your clip starts and ends. Play the preview to make sure it looks spot-on. This part can be a little fiddly if your video’s full of action or sound cues—just double-check before saving. Of course, Windows likes to keep it tricky by not showing clear timestamps, but that’s part of the fun.
Step 6: Save Your Trimmed Video
Hit Save As. That way, you keep your original safe and get a new file with your edits. Usually, the new video ends up in the same folder as the original unless you pick something else. Sometimes, it takes a sec to save, but that’s normal. No need to stress.
Pro tip: If you’re after quick access, right-click the video and select Edit then Trim. Might be easier than digging through menus. If it’s acting up, trying different video formats or restarting the app can clear out any glitches.
Tips for Trimming Video on Windows 11
- Always back up your original video first — a quick copy to another folder does the trick. Windows can be a bit temperamental.
- Check your preview — the sliders are a bit sensitive. Better safe than ending up with a clip cut off mid-scene.
- Try different start/end points — fiddling with those sliders might give you a better result.
- After trimming, have a look at your file size — especially if you’re planning to upload or email it. Usually smaller, but not always by much.
- If you want to add filters, captions, or music, explore other options in Edit & Create. Just don’t expect Hollywood-level editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Photos app the only option for trimming videos on Windows 11?
Nah, not at all. You could try apps like VLC media player or more advanced stuff like Adobe Premiere Pro if you want a bit more control. The Photos app is just handy and built-in, so most folks start there.
Can I add music directly in Photos?
Yeah, in Edit & Create, there’s an option called Add Music. It’s basic editing, but good enough for quick clips — don’t expect Hollywood magic, though.
What formats does this support? MP4, MOV, etc.?
Most common ones: MP4, MOV, AVI, you name it. Windows plays nice with these formats, so casual trimming usually isn’t a problem.
Does trimming affect quality?
Generally not. The Photos app slices it without recompressing, so the quality stays the same. The main difference you’ll notice is the file size shrinking, which makes sharing easier.
Can I undo a trim after saving?
Once you’ve hit ‘Save’, the trim’s pretty much locked in. But since it saves as a new file, your original stays untouched. So no worries if you want to go back to the raw footage later.
Summary
- Open the Photos App.
- Import your video.
- Hit Edit & Create.
- Choose Trim.
- Adjust the sliders.
- Save your trimmed video.
Hopefully, this helps save someone a bit of time. It’s not perfect, but for quick cuts, it does the trick.