Cutting a video on Windows? It’s kinda weird, but surprisingly straightforward — if you know where to look. All you really need is your video file and the built-in Photos app, which most Windows machines already have. But here’s the thing: sometimes, the process isn’t as smooth as expected. Maybe the trimming doesn’t save properly, or you get a weird cut that glitches — Windows can be a little finicky with its default tools. Still, with a bit of patience, you can get a decent trimmed clip without resorting to third-party apps. This guide should help you do just that, with some extra tips to avoid common pitfalls and actually understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
How to Trim a Video on Windows
Usually, Windows’ Photos app is enough for quick trims, especially if you don’t need fancy features. But knowing where the commands sit — like menus, options, and shortcuts — really helps speed things up. Expect a decent outcome, like a clean cut of your footage, but don’t be surprised if you need to try a couple of times or tweak the settings. On some setups, it might take a reboot or a manual refresh of the app for the trim to finally stick. Let’s walk through the process with as little fuss as possible.
Open your video in the Photos app
- Find your video file in File Explorer. Right-click it, then hover over Open with, and select Photos.
- The Photos app isn’t just for viewing pictures. It also has some hidden editing tricks, including trimming. Once you launch it, the video might start playing automatically, which is fine.
If it doesn’t open directly, you can also open Photos > click on Video Editor (or just import the video through Import in Photos).Sometimes, if the video is in a weird format, you might need to convert it first (using tools like HandBrake or similar).
Access the trim feature
- Once your video’s loaded, look for the Edit & Create button at the top right (it’s that pencil icon).
- Click on it, then choose Trim. Here’s where the magic begins: it opens a timeline at the bottom with draggable sliders.
This step is crucial because some versions of Windows or Photos get glitchy if you don’t do it right. If you see no sliders or it crashes, try closing and reopening the app or rebooting your PC. Sometimes, the camera roll needs to be refreshed, or the app cache cleared (which is a pain but necessary sometimes).
Adjust the sliders and preview
- Drag the beginning and end sliders to narrow down the segment you want. It’s like using scissors — be precise but also rely on the preview window to double-check.
- Play the segment to ensure it captures what you really want. It’s kind of weird, but the slider movements can be a bit laggy or unresponsive at times, so give it a second to catch up.
Pro tip: try to set the sliders a little beyond your intended start/end point, then trim in again if needed. Some users report the trim cuts better if you leave some buffer room, then tighten up afterward.
Save the trimmed video
- When satisfied, click Save a copy. Windows will export your trimmed video as a new file, usually adding “Trimmed” or “Copy” to the filename.
- This step can sometimes hang or take a few seconds. If it fails, try saving under a different filename or restart the app — Windows can be weird about file locks.
Make sure you don’t overwrite the original unless that’s what you want. Always save a copy first, especially if you’re still figuring out the trim process.
Locate your new video and check quality
- Go to the folder where your original video lives. The new file should be there, often with “Trimmed” stuck into its name. Play it to verify everything looks good.
- On some machines, the trimmed file plays fine but might have slight glitches if the original was a high bitrate or weird format. Consider converting it again with a tool like HandBrake if needed.
That’s basically it. Windows’ built-in features are a bit limited, and sometimes fiddly, but with patience, you can get a decent trimmed output. Just don’t expect Hollywood-level finesse — it’s more for quick cuts than professional editing.
Tips for Trimming a Video on Windows
- Explore other editing features in Photos: Beyond trimming, you can try adding filters, text, or music if the app’s behaving. But be aware, it’s all somewhat limited unless you switch to more robust editors.
- Watch your quality: Trimming shouldn’t affect it, but always double-check the output. Especially if you use third-party converters afterward, quality loss can sneak in.
- Keep the original safe: Save your trimmed clips separately. Sometimes, Windows throws a fit and overwrites or corrupts the file if you’re careless.
- Keyboard shortcuts: Learning a few helps — spacebar to play/pause, Ctrl + S to save, etc. But the app isn’t very hotkey friendly, so don’t rely on it too much.
- Consider third-party software: If you find the Photos app too limited or buggy, free tools like [Shotcut](https://shotcut.org/), [VSDC](https://www.videosoftdev.com/), or [DaVinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/) can give you way more control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim multiple sections from one video file at once?
Nope, Windows’ Photos app can only trim one chunk at a time. If you need to cut several parts, you’ll need to do it repeatedly or use a more advanced editor.
Does trimming reduce the video quality?
Not really. The Photos app keeps the resolution intact. But if you re-encode or convert with other tools, quality might take a hit. Be cautious if you plan to do any compression afterward.
Can I undo a trim after saving?
Once you save and close the app, it’s locked in. There’s no undo button, so always save your trimmed version as a new file and keep the original intact.
Where’s my trimmed video?
Check the same folder as the original. It usually names the new clip with “Trimmed” or “Copy, ” so you can tell the difference easily.
Can I merge or join trimmed clips?
The Photos app has basic video joining features, but they’re glitchy at best. For better results, look into dedicated editors like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve — they handle multi-clip merges smoothly.
Summary
- Open your video in Photos.
- Click Edit & Create > Trim.
- Drag the sliders to pick your segment.
- Hit Save a copy.
- Find your trimmed version in the folder.
Wrap-up
Honestly, Windows’ built-in tools are a bit clunky sometimes, especially for trims. But if you’re careful and don’t expect pro-level edits, this method gets the job done. Just be prepared for some trial and error, especially if your first save doesn’t seem right. On one setup it worked the first time, on another, it took a few attempts. Windows has to make things not so obvious sometimes. Still, it’s free, and in many cases, decent enough. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a bit of time and frustration. Happy trimming — or at least, happy trying to do so!