Trimming videos on Windows 10 can seem pretty straightforward—until you realize that the built-in tools aren’t as intuitive as they look. Sometimes, the Photos app seems like a good choice because it’s handy and comes free, but it’s got its quirks. Maybe you want to cut out the boring parts of a clip before sharing it online, or you need to tighten up a long recording. Whatever the reason, knowing how to quickly trim your videos without jumping into fancy editing software can save a ton of time — or at least avoid headaches. This isn’t about perfect filmmaking; it’s about doing basic edits fast, on the fly, with whatever you have handy.
Trimming Videos on Windows 10
Here’s a quick rundown of what usually works—sometimes the Photos app does its thing, sometimes it throws a fit. If you’re struggling with the standard way, I’ve got a few extra tricks that might make your life easier, especially for short clips or quick edits. The goal? Cut out the nonsense, keep what matters, and not have to mess with complicated software or extra downloads.
Open the Photos App and Find Your Video
This part’s super simple—click the Start Menu, type “Photos, ” and open it. If it’s not installed (which I doubt on Windows 10), you can grab it from the Microsoft Store. Once inside, head over to the Videos library, and find the video you wanna trim. Clicking on it usually opens it right in the Photos app. If you want to make quick trims, you might also want to consider right-clicking the file and selecting Open with > Photos for speed.
Step into the Video Editor and Start Trimming
Within the Photos app, you’ll want to click on the Video Editor tab. It’s hidden a bit, so if it’s not obvious, look for a button or menu labeled Edit & Create. From there, select New Video Project. This creates a sandbox for you to mess around with clips without overwriting the originals. When you add your video, it’s a good idea to keep track of where it’s saved—usually in Libraries > Videos. If it’s not there, just drag & drop into the editor.
Trim the Video’s Length – Drag & Adjust
Once your clip is loaded, select it, then hit the Trim button (sometimes it’s just a pair of scissors icon).On some Windows versions, you might not see a dedicated trim tool—then you’ll need to manually drag the sliders on the timeline. Not sure why it works this way, but on some setups, the interface can be a little glitchy. Move the handles inward to crop the start or end — or both. Preview the clip by hitting the Play button to make sure it’s just right. When happy, click Done.
Pro tip: if the trim functions are limited or buggy, you can always use an alternative like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve for more control. But honestly, for quick stuff, the Photos app gets the job done if it cooperates.
Save and Export the Cleaned-Up Clip
When the trimming is done, hit Export or Finish Video. You’ll be prompted to choose a filename and save location. Just pick somewhere easy to remember—like your desktop or a dedicated folder—and give it a new name. This way, the original remains untouched and you keep a clean, trimmed version.
On some machines, the export can take a little while depending on the video length, so no rushing. Wait until it’s done, then open the result to check if it came out as expected. If not, go back and tweak again. No biggie.
Review and Final Checks
Play the output file in your preferred media player. Look out for any weird glitches or quality drops. If things aren’t perfect, sometimes exporting again with different settings (like a lower compression rate) helps. Or, if the trim was simple enough, just repeat the process. Best part? The original file stays safe, so there’s always an unedited backup if needed.
Tips for Making It Easier
- Back up your original video before diving into edits, just in case you want to start over.
- Get familiar with keyboard shortcuts—Ctrl + Z for undo, Ctrl + S for save, that kind of stuff.
- Always preview your trim before exporting. It’s annoying to realize you cut something important after it’s saved.
- Check the quality once exported. Sometimes, especially with heavy compression, the clip can look worse after trimming.
- Don’t be afraid to try other tools. Sometimes a free app like OpenShot or Shotcut offers more precise controls if you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the Photos app on Windows 10?
Just hit the Start menu, type “Photos, ” and click on the app. If not installed, get it from the Microsoft Store.
Can I undo a trim?
Yes, especially if you’ve saved the trimmed clip as a new file. Just go back to the original — or re-edit the full video if needed.
Does trimming make the video lower quality?
Pretty much not, unless you export with heavy compression. Like everything, check export settings if quality matters.
Can I cut multiple parts of a video, not just start/end?
The Photos app is basic — it only trims the start or end. For cutting out middle parts, you’ll need something more advanced like Winhance or a dedicated editor.
Is the Photos app free?
Yep. Comes with Windows 10, no extra charge.
Summary
- Open the Photos app.
- Select your video.
- Trim, then preview.
- Export and save your clip.
- Review to make sure it’s right.
Wrap-up
Getting your videos trimmed on Windows 10 isn’t as bad as it looks — if you know where to click. Sure, the Photos app isn’t perfect, and sometimes it acts up, but for quick cuts, it’s enough. If you find yourself doing this a lot, maybe look into more dedicated software, but honestly, for most casual uses, this method will do. Just mess around a little, and you’ll get faster with each try. Fingers crossed this helps someone save time or frustration in the long run.