Windows really makes it pretty easy to trim videos without digging into some complicated software. If you’ve ever recorded something and then noticed the first few seconds are just filler, or maybe your clip ends a bit too late, trimming is the way to go. The Photos app is the built-in solution most folks overlook — simple, no-extra downloads, and surprisingly functional for quick edits. Just open your video, select your desired section, and save. But, not gonna lie, sometimes the process can be a little wonky or not quite as precise as dedicated tools, especially if you need fine control. It’s also worth noting that depending on your Windows version, the UI might look a tad different. Still, for basic trimming needs, it gets the job done, at least most of the time.
How to Trim Videos on Windows
How to Use the Photos App for Quick Video Trimming
First off, you gotta find the Photos app — it’s usually pre-installed and lives somewhere in Start menu. Just hit Start or tap the search bar and type Photos. Once it’s open, you’ll see the main grid of your pictures, but what you really want is to create a video project. Click the New Video button in the top right or go to New Video Project in the app’s ribbon. Import your video by selecting Add > From this PC — this is what loads your clip into the editor.
Here’s where things get straightforward: you’ll see your video in the media bin. Click on it and pick the Trim button. It’s basically a pair of scissors icon or something similar in the toolbar. Moving the sliders at both ends to select your segment is functional but kinda fiddly—on some setups, the sliders lag a bit or don’t align perfectly with the timeline, which is annoying. Just be patient and adjust carefully, because Windows’ native trimming isn’t exactly refined for precision. When you’re happy, hit Done.
Adjusting Your Trim Markers
Once you’ve got the sliders where you want them, clicking Done applies the cut. When that’s set, click on Finish Video at the top right. You get to pick your output quality (high, medium, low), which affects file size and clarity. You might want high quality if it’s for upload, or lower if you just need a quick clip for sharing. Confirm and then Windows exports the trimmed video — it might take a few seconds or longer, depending on your file size and PC specs.
Important to mention: sometimes Windows’ built-in trim isn’t perfect—on one machine it might cut smoothly, another might have glitches or crash mid-process. So, save your project frequently, and if something weird happens, reboot and give it another shot. If it still fails, jumping over to some third-party tools like Shotcut or Avidemux can save the day.
Other Tips for Better Results
Always preview your clip before finalizing — the preview window can be helpful to confirm your selection is exactly what you want. A lot of users forget that the sliders are not pixel-precise, especially if your monitor or UI scaling is weird. So, zoom in on the timeline if available, and fine-tune the start/end points as best as possible.
It’s also smart to keep a backup of the original video. Just in case you mess up or want to try a different section later. And if the Photos app isn’t cutting it, there are free apps out there with better controls, like Shotcut or Avidemux. They can give you more control if needed.
Summary
- Open the Photos app from Start menu.
- Import your video via New Video Project and Add > From this PC.
- Select the clip, then click Trim.
- Adjust the sliders carefully to pick your segment.
- Click Done, then Finish Video to export.
Wrap-up
Overall, trimming videos on Windows with the Photos app is quick and pretty painless, but it’s not perfect—sometimes the sliders aren’t super fine-tuned, and the export can be glitchy. For casual cuts or quick edits, it’s serviceable. If you need more control or encounter issues, trying a dedicated editor might be the best move. Otherwise, just keep backups, be patient with the sliders, and don’t forget to preview before saving. Fingers crossed this helps someone speed up their editing flow — at least a little.