Cropping a video on Windows 10 might seem straightforward, but often it turns into a bit of a puzzle if you’re not sure which tool to use or where to find basic functions. Windows doesn’t really come with a built-in, simple video cropper — yeah, of course, Windows has Photos, but that’s more for quick trims than detailed cropping. So, you end up needing third-party apps, and sometimes, that feels like a maze of options. Whether you wanna remove some edges or focus on a particular part of the footage, knowing the right steps can save a lot of headache. The goal here is to get a clean, cropped video without sacrificing too much quality and without messing with complicated software that’s more suited for pros. In this guide, you’ll see some practical ways to crop videos on Windows 10 — whether using free tools like VLC Media Player or more dedicated editors. No, you don’t need years of editing experience, but you do need to follow the steps carefully. After all, some software might act flaky and refuse to crop properly until you mess around with a few settings or restart a program. Hopefully, these tips will help you get your video looking just right without wasting hours on trial and error.
How to Crop Video on Windows 10
Method 1: Using VLC Media Player for Quick Cropping
VLC isn’t just for playing videos — it has a decent cropping feature, kind of tucked away. This is perfect if you just want to cut a section or remove some borders quickly, without the fuss of full-blown editing. Why it helps: it’s free, lightweight, and surprisingly effective for basic crop tasks. When to use it: if you need a quick fix and don’t care about fine-tuning too much. Expect a straightforward process that might not give perfect framing but gets the job done in a pinch. From personal experience, VLC’s crop filter sometimes behaves weirdly on export, so don’t expect full professional quality, but it’s a fast start.
- Open VLC and go to Media > Convert / Save (or press Ctrl + R if you prefer keyboard shortcuts).
- Click on Add to select your video, then hit Convert / Save.
- Under Settings, select the profile you want, then click on the little wrench icon to edit.
- In the profile editing window, go to the Video codec tab, then check Video filter and find the option for cropping. Or, sometimes, you have to manually add cropping filters via command line (VLC crop filter info).
- Save your profile, back in the main menu, choose destination, and hit Start.
Note: VLC doesn’t have a simple GUI for cropping — it’s more about tweaking filters through the command line or advanced settings. So, if you want more control, move on to dedicated video editors after this.
Method 2: Using Built-in Photos App for Basic Cropping
Funny enough, Windows Photos can handle a basic crop — but it’s more for trimming clips than precise cropping. Still, if the goal is to cut edges or zoom in on a specific part casually, give it a shot. It’s kind of weird that it’s hidden, but it works for quick adjustments. This is perfect if you just need to crop a frame before sharing on social media, and the video doesn’t need to stay 100% pristine.
- Open the video with the Photos app (right-click your video, choose Open with > Photos).
- Click on Edit & Create > Edit in the top menu.
- In the editing window, find the Crop & Rotate tool.
- Adjust the borders to crop out what you don’t want, then hit Save a copy.
It’s kind of limited, and definitely not for precision editing, but if you’re just trying to get rid of some unwanted edges fast, it’s surprisingly usable. Just don’t expect to set exact dimensions or maintain aspect ratios perfectly.
Method 3: Using Free Video Editors (DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, or Openshot)
Now, if you’re serious about cropping and want better control, free editors like Shotcut, DaVinci Resolve, or OpenShot are your friends. Maybe not perfect right out of the box, but they pack a lot more options. Most of the time, it’s a matter of importing the clip, adding a crop filter or resize node, and fine-tuning. They also let you export in high quality, so your cropped video doesn’t look all pixelated. Yep, these tools can be a pain to learn at first, but once you get the hang of it, cropping becomes a breeze. Expect to spend a few minutes figuring out how to locate the crop filters, but it’s worth it.
- Download and install your chosen editor from their official sites.
- Import your video into the timeline.
- Look for a “Crop” or “Resize” filter — in Shotcut, it’s under Filters > Video > Crop.
- Adjust the sliders or input box for X and Y cropping — basically, how much to cut from each side.
- Export your project, choose the right format (usually MP4), and check the quality settings.
Pro tip: always preview before exporting — cropping in these editors can sometimes shift your framing unexpectedly.
Tips for Cropping Videos on Windows 10
- Pick the right tool for your needs: VLC for quick fixes, Photos for minimal effort, or full-blown editors for precise cuts.
- Watch your aspect ratio: cropping can mess up proportions. Keep an eye on settings if you want it to look consistent across platforms.
- Preview often: especially in editors, always check how it looks before final rendering.
- Save original files: better to keep a backup so you don’t lose the raw footage if something goes sideways.
- Expect some trial and error: on some setups, things just refuse to crop properly on the first try — restart the app or double-check settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I crop videos directly in Windows without third-party software?
Nah, Windows doesn’t have a native full-featured video cropper. You need at least some third-party app or using the Photos app for basic cuts.
Will cropping ruin my video quality?
If you use a decent editor and don’t overly compress the output, the loss should be minimal. Just avoid huge resizing or heavy compression during export.
What formats can I export after cropping?
Mainly MP4, AVI, MOV — most free editors support these, but check the settings to keep quality high.
Is free software reliable?
Generally yes, but remember, they may lack some of the polish of paid options. For quick cropping, they do just fine. For advanced edits, you might want something sturdier.
Summary
- Use VLC for quick cropping (though a bit tricky to set up).
- Try Photos for basic edge cuts.
- Go for free editors if you want control and quality.
- Always preview and keep backups.
Wrap-up
Honestly, cropping on Windows 10 isn’t always as smooth as it should be, but with these tools, you can usually get decent results without sweating too much. A good rule of thumb: pick your software based on how precise you need to be. For quick stuff, VLC or Photos will do. For more control, lean into a proper video editor. Just be prepared for a little trial and error — sometimes things behave weird, and that’s just Windows life. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours and gets your video looking sharp.