Cropping videos on Windows 10 isn’t as complicated as it seems, especially now that the Photos app is a bit more capable than just viewing images. Still, a lot of folks underestimate its potential for quick edits, and let’s be honest, sometimes the built-in tools make everything seem more difficult than it should be. The goal here is to remove those distracting borders or focus in on that key part of the video—without needing fancy third-party software. Sure, the process isn’t perfect, and on some setups, the crop tool weirdly refuses to save properly the first time around or crashes unexpectedly. It’s kind of weird, but once you get the hang of it, cropping your videos becomes pretty straightforward.
What you’ll want to do is open the Photos app, import the video, and then dive into the editing options—using the crop feature to frame your shot exactly how you want. The real trick? Don’t forget to save a copy after cropping; otherwise, you risk overwriting and losing the original footage. And because Windows is Windows, there might be some quirks, like needing to restart the app or reboot your machine if something acts up. But once saved, your cropped video is ready to share, embed, or keep for your collection.
How to Crop Video on Windows 10
Open the Photos App and Get Your Video Ready
First, find the Photos app on your PC. It’s usually pinned in the Start menu or can be searched by typing “Photos.” Sometimes, the app just needs a quick update or reinstall if it’s acting flaky, so keep that in mind if things look weird. Once opened, importing your video is pretty simple—just hit Import from the top menu and select the file from your drives. If you’re using a network drive or external storage, make sure it’s connected and recognized by Windows.
On some machines, the Photos app might not recognize certain video formats perfectly or struggle with high-res footage. If that happens, alternatives like VLC or Shotcut might be a better route, but for quick cropping, the Photos app can work enough—just be prepared for occasional hiccups.
Navigate to the “Edit & Create” Feature
After the video shows up in your library, click on it, then tap on “Edit & Create” in the top right corner. From the dropdown, pick Trim. Yeah, it’s mainly meant for cutting clips, but weirdly, this is how you get access to the crop tool—like a hidden feature. Don’t ask me why Microsoft made it so convoluted, but here we are.
In some cases, the crop icon—usually a square with corners—appears only after you start the trimming process. On other setups, you might see it directly under the editing tools. If you can’t find it, double-check for updates or try restarting the Photos app. I’ve noticed that sometimes the crop tool lags or doesn’t activate unless you do this. Surprisingly, on one laptop it refused to crop the video properly at first, then after a restart, it worked fine. Windows has a mind of its own sometimes.
Use the Crop Tool to Frame Your Video
Click the crop icon—the square with adjustable edges—and a frame appears over your video. Drag the corners to select the part you want to keep. It’s kind of clunky at first, but with practice, it gets easier. The crop adjusts in real time, but don’t expect precise pixel-perfect control—think more of a rough focus. Looking to zoom in or crop tightly? You might need to experiment a bit with aspect ratios and manual adjustment.
This feature is good for removing borders or unwanted elements. Keep in mind, though, the crop only affects the visual part; the audio stays exactly the same, no worries there. If you want a cleaner crop without losing quality, try to use original high-res videos whenever possible—Windows can get sluggish with huge files.
Save Your Cropped Video and Keep the Original Safe
Once happy with the crop, hit Save a copy. That way, the original stays untouched, and your cropped version is stored separately. Make sure to save to a folder you remember, because the Photos app sometimes puts new videos in its default Pictures folder or a “Cropped Videos” folder—if that exists. Don’t skip this step; it’s so easy to accidentally overwrite the original if you just click Save. On some machines, the save process will take a few seconds or longer if the video’s large or your system is busy. Patience is key.
And here’s a trick — if the cropping doesn’t seem perfect or the app crashes, try closing everything, reopening, and cropping again. Sometimes, the app needs a kickstart. Be aware that Windows sometimes behaves unpredictably, especially with larger files or older hardware. A quick reboot after updates or a clean cache might help if crashes persist.
Tips for Better Cropping in Windows 10
- Always keep a backup of the original before you start editing. Better safe than sorry.
- Try different aspect ratios: 16:9, 4:3, or custom, to see what suits your need best.
- Use the crop for focusing on faces, logos, or trimming out distracting backgrounds.
- If the crop looks off, double-check the aspect ratio and reposition the frame.
- Explore other editing features like filters or brightness if you want a more polished video afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I crop videos using other tools on Windows 10?
Definitely. Tools like VLC Media Player (which isn’t designed mainly for editing, but some clipping is possible) or third-party editors like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve give you more control. But they also come with a learning curve—sometimes more trouble than it’s worth for quick cropping.
Is there a limit to video size or format for cropping in Photos?
Mostly, the Photos app handles standard formats (.mp4, .mov, etc.) and sizes, but big 4K videos or high bit-rate files might be sluggish or crash. For larger files, using dedicated editors might save you the headache.
How do I keep my video in high quality after cropping?
Choose output settings that preserve the original resolution and don’t compress too aggressively. When saving the copy, pick the highest quality option if available, or stick with lossless formats.
Will cropping affect video audio?
Nope. Cropping in Photos only adjusts the visual stuff. Your sound stays intact unless you intentionally trim or delete parts of the audio separately.
Does cropping reduce the file size?
It can, especially if you crop out large sections, but it’s not guaranteed—it mostly depends on how much data is removed and how you save the video. Sometimes, cropping can make files slightly smaller because of less visual information, but don’t expect a huge difference.
Summary
- Open Photos app
- Import your video
- Click “Edit & Create” then “Trim”
- Use the crop icon to frame your shot
- Save a copy of the cropped video
Wrap-up
All in all, learning to crop videos with Windows 10’s built-in tools isn’t totally intuitive, but it’s doable—once you get past the quirks. It feels like it’s missing a few polish features, but for quick edits, it gets the job done. Don’t be surprised if you hit some roadblocks here and there, especially with larger files or quirky app behavior, but a restart or a quick update usually sorts it out. Just remember, always keep the original safe and experiment a bit—sometimes that’s how you figure out the best way to get the perfect crop. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone, and at least makes you appreciate the weird little steps Windows throws at you.