Trimming videos on Windows 11 ain’t as complicated as it sounds — honestly, it feels pretty straightforward once you figure out where everything is. But sometimes, that built-in Photos app can be a bit finicky or hidden in plain sight, so here’s the rundown that hopefully saves someone a bit of hassle.
How to Trim Video on Windows 11
This is mainly about using the Photos app, which most folks already have installed. Why? Because it’s kinda weird, but Windows decided to keep it simple, and it works well for quick trims. If you’re just trying to cut out the junk at the start or end of a video without messing with fancy editors, this method is perfect. Plus, it saves a copy, so your original stays safe.
Step 1: Open the Photos App
Poke around your Start menu or hit that search bar and type “Photos”. It’s an app that’s usually pre-installed, and on some setups, it’s actually the default for opening videos too. If you can’t find it, sometimes it’s tucked away in the list of apps, but for most, just searching is enough.
Step 2: Import Your Video
Find the video file in your folders. Right-click on it, select Open with > Photos. Sometimes, double-clicking works, but just in case, right-clicking and choosing Photos isn’t a bad idea. This way, your video opens in the Photos app. Not sure why it works this way, but some videos load faster than others — typical Windows nonsense.
Step 3: Tap on Edit & Create
When the video pops up, look for the Edit & Create button at the top. Click it. This opens a small menu with various tools, mainly meant for quick edits. For trimming, that’s where the magic happens.
Step 4: Choose Trim
In the dropdown, click Trim. It pulls up a new window with two sliders on the timeline. Think of it like a brush for your clip; drag it to cut out the parts you don’t want. Honestly, I’ve seen it be a bit weird on some setups — on one machine it failed the first time, on another, it worked right away. Typical Windows.
Step 5: Adjust the Sliders
Move the sliders to define where your cut starts and ends. Play the preview to make sure it looks right. This part can be a little fiddly, especially if your video has a lot of action or sound cues—just double-check before you save. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary by not showing clear timestamps, but hey, that’s part of the fun.
Step 6: Save Your Trimmed Video
Hit Save As. This way, you keep the original untouched and get a new file with your edits. Usually, the saved video lands in the same folder as the original unless you choose differently — so keep an eye out. On some machines, it’s normal for the save to hang for a sec, then come back. Not sure why it behaves that way, but it’s standard.
Pro tip: If you want quick access to the menu, you can also right-click the video and choose Edit, then Trim — sometimes easier than going through menus. And if that doesn’t work, trying out different video formats or restarting the app can help fix weird glitches.
Tips for Trimming Video on Windows 11
- Always back up the original video before messing around — even if it’s just copying it somewhere else. Windows can be unpredictable.
- Use preview to double-check what you’re trimming — the sliders are a little sensitive. Better safe than ending up with a clip that cuts off mid-scene.
- Test different start/end points. Sometimes fiddling with those sliders can give you a better final cut.
- After trimming, check your file size if you’re planning to upload or email — trimming usually shrinks it, but sometimes not much.
- Open up other features in Edit & Create if you want to add filters, captions, or music, but don’t expect it to be pro-level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Photos app the only option for trimming videos on Windows 11?
Not really. You can also drop in apps like VLC media player or even more advanced stuff like Adobe Premiere Pro if you want more control. The Photos app is just easy and built-in, so it’s the first stop for most.
Can I add music directly in Photos?
Yep. Under Edit & Create, there’s an option for Add Music. Not earth-shattering editing, but enough for quick projects — just don’t expect Hollywood quality.
What formats does this support? MP4, MOV, etc.?
Most common: MP4, MOV, AVI, you name it. Windows has decent support for these, so for casual trimming, it’s usually fine.
Does trimming affect quality?
Usually not. The Photos app slices it without recompressing, so the quality stays the same. The only thing you might notice is the file size shrinking, which is a good thing if you wanna share it easier.
Can I undo a trim after saving?
Once you save, the trim’s pretty much locked in. But since it saves as a new file, your original isn’t affected, so no biggie if you wanna go back to the raw footage later.
Summary
- Open the Photos App.
- Import Your Video.
- Click on Edit & Create.
- Select Trim.
- Adjust the Sliders.
- Save Your Trimmed Video.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s not perfect, but hey, for quick cuts, it does the job.