How to Seamlessly Shorten Videos on Windows 10 Using the Built-in Photos App
Surprisingly, Windows 10 lets users trim videos without having to download heavy-duty editing programs. The trusty Photos app, which most people think is just for looking at pictures, has this nifty video editing feature. It’s super handy for quickly chopping off those awkward beginnings or endings of your clips. Just pop open your video in the app and hit that “Trim” tool to keep only what you want. Easy peasy, right?
Edit Videos Like a Pro (Sort of)
A lot of Windows 10 folks seem to overlook the fact that Photos can do more than just house your selfies. This little tutorial aims to walk through cutting videos in a way that even the newbies can follow without pulling their hair out.
Getting Started with the Photos App
First off, just search for “Photos” in that Start menu and fire it up. You probably already have it installed, so no extra downloads necessary. Once it’s rolling, you’re ready to start bringing in your videos for some quick fixes.
If you’re in a hurry, go straight to the Video Editor by clicking on Video Editor through Start Menu > Photos.
Bringing in Your Video
Hit the “Import” button and navigate through your files to grab the video you need to tweak.
Just so you know, that’s under Import > From a folder. Or hey, drag and drop works too—easy as that. Once you find it, click it and get it loaded. This step is like prepping the ingredients before you start cooking.
Finding Your Video
After it’s imported, find your video in the app (probably in the gallery or something). Double-click it to dive into editing mode. Definitely check you’ve got the right clip before you start hacking away.
Using the Project Library or your folders can help with this.
Trimming with the Trim Tool
Alright, so once you’re sure you’re on the right video, click on “Edit & Create” at the top, then hit “Trim.”
In some builds, this is right in the Video Editor, no hunting required! Now you see the timeline of your video, and you can slide those little bars to pick what you want to keep. You can even hit play while you’re at it to make sure you’re cutting precisely where you want.
If you mess something up, don’t panic! Just hit Ctrl + Z to undo.
Saving Your Masterpiece
Once you’ve set your start and end points, save it by clicking “Save a copy.”
Find it under File > Save a copy, and you can even choose your preferred resolution. This keeps the original video safe and sound while creating a trimmed version. Name it whatever you like, or just leave it as is—totally your call.
Usually, the edited file will drop into your Videos folder unless you change it.
Quick Tips for Smoother Trimming
Here are a few tricks to keep things running smoothly while trimming away.
First off, it never hurts to back up your original video before diving in: xcopy "C:\Videos\original.mp4" "D:\Backup\original_backup.mp4"
Get to know the app’s layout; it can save time when you’re juggling clips. Don’t skip the playback before finalizing, too, just to make sure everything feels right.
And if you wanna hit play while trimming, just use Spacebar. If your video isn’t working right, check for corruption—that can totally mess with your editing process.
Common Questions About Video Trimming on Windows 10
Can I edit long videos with the Photos app?
Yep, you can trim lengthy videos, but keep in mind that it might lag on older machines, so if it feels sluggish, you might wanna consider upgrading.
Will the quality change when I trim?
How many videos can I edit at once?
There’s no specific limit, but keep an eye on your system’s storage and performance; too many open videos can slow things down.
Can I undo my edits?
Once you’ve saved a trim, there’s no going back unless you have the original file stashed away somewhere.
Keep a backup handy before editing, like so: xcopy "C:\MyVideos\video.mp4" "D:\Backup\video_backup.mp4"
What if I need more features?
The Photos app is simple and gets the job done for basic stuff, but for advanced needs—think effects or transitions—you might wanna look at more full-fledged editors like Windows Movie Maker or DaVinci Resolve.
Quick Checklist for Trimming
- Open the Photos app.
- Import the video you want to trim.
- Load and select your clip.
- Access the “Trim” via Edit & Create > Trim.
- Save it as a new file with File > Save a copy.
Editing videos on Windows 10 can actually be pretty straightforward! The built-in Photos app is a pretty neat way to get in and trim those clips without needing to fuss with complicated software. Instead of pulling your hair out over learning some new program, just follow the steps above and get to editing. If this helps knock down a few minutes from your video projects, that’s a win for everyone.