How to Edit Videos on Windows | Two Built-In Tools, No Cost

Windows 11 includes Clipchamp as its built-in video editor for trimming, splitting, adding text and music, while the Photos app offers a quick trim tool for simple cuts — both are free and require no download.

Most people don’t realize their Windows PC already has a capable video editor installed. The one you should use depends on what kind of edit you need. For a fast trim — cutting the start or end off a single clip — the Photos app handles it in about ten seconds. For anything involving multiple clips, transitions, text overlays, or background music, Clipchamp is the free tool Microsoft includes with Windows 11 that does real editing work without the subscription price tag.

This guide covers both built-in tools step by step, then explains what to use when your project outgrows them.

Which Windows Version Has Which Editor?

The answer depends on whether you’re running Windows 11 or Windows 10. Microsoft shifted its video-editing strategy with the latest OS, so the tool you reach for should match your version.

• Windows 11: Clipchamp is preinstalled and is Microsoft’s designated video editor. The Photos app trim tool is also available for quick cuts.
• Windows 10: No Clipchamp preinstall. The Photos app includes an older Video Editor experience (formerly Windows Movie Maker) that handles multi-clip projects, along with the same trim tool in Photos.
• Both versions: Clipchamp can be accessed in a web browser on either OS if you prefer the web version.

Using Clipchamp in Windows 11: The Full Built-In Editor

Clipchamp is the tool to open when you need to assemble a short video with multiple clips, on-screen text, music, or simple effects. Microsoft positions it as the official video editor for Windows 11 and includes it free on every device running that OS.

Opening Clipchamp

Find Clipchamp by typing Clipchamp in the taskbar search box, or select it from Start > All apps. You can also launch it from inside the Photos app when you open a video and look for the editing option. A browser-based version works in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome at the Clipchamp web app if you prefer not to use the installed application.

The Basic Clipchamp Workflow

1. Click Create a new video and give your project a name.
2. Click Import media to add your video clips, images, or audio files from your computer.
3. Drag clips to the timeline at the bottom of the screen in the order you want them to play.
4. Click any clip on the timeline and drag the edges to trim the start or end point.
5. To split a clip into two parts, position the playhead where you want the cut and click the Split button (scissors icon).
6. To add text, click the Text tab and drag a title or caption style onto the timeline overlay.
7. To add background music, import an audio file and drag it to the separate audio track below the video.
8. When you’re finished, click Export and choose a resolution. 1080p is available free.

The after export, you’ll see a preview link and the video file saves to your chosen folder.

Using the Photos App for Quick Trims

The Photos app trim tool is for one specific job: cutting the beginning or end off a single video file. It’s the right tool when you recorded something with dead space on either end and want it gone fast — no timeline, no music, no text.

1. Open the Photos app and navigate to the video you want to trim.
2. Click the video to open it, then click the Trim button (or press Ctrl + E).
3. Drag the white sliders at the start and end of the video preview to set your new start and end points.
4. Click Save as copy to keep the original file untouched, or choose to overwrite the original video if you don’t need it.

The your trimmed video appears in the Photos gallery with the length you selected. If you chose “Save as copy,” the original remains in the folder unchanged — no risk of losing footage.

A common mistake here is reaching for the Photos trim when you actually need multiple clips or audio. Photos trimming only removes footage from the edges of a single file — it doesn’t sequence, add text, or layer audio.

Windows 10: The Video Editor Workaround

If you’re on Windows 10, the older Video Editor (sometimes called Video Editor, the successor to Windows Movie Maker) is still built into the Photos app and handles multi-clip projects. Open Photos, click Video Editor (or New video), create a project, add clips, arrange them on the storyboard, trim individual clips, and add transitions or text. It exports at 1080p by default. The interface differs from Clipchamp, but the basic logic — import, arrange, trim, export — is the same.

What’s the Difference? Clipchamp vs. Photos vs. Video Editor

The table below lays out which tool fits which job, so you pick the right one on the first try.

When to Move Beyond Built-In Tools

Windows’ free editors work well for basic projects — a social media clip, a home video, a quick presentation. But they hit limits fast. If your project needs multi-track layers, keyframe animation, color grading, or anything approaching professional production, the built-in tools will frustrate you. The telltale sign is when you find yourself wishing for a feature that isn’t there: Clipchamp keeps things simple by design.

Reliable free alternatives that handle more advanced workflows include DaVinci Resolve (professional-grade color tools and editing, a steep learning curve), OpenShot (open-source, multi-track, friendly interface), and Lightworks (used in professional film editing, free tier handles most basics). Paid options like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro (Mac only) serve full-time editors but cost monthly or one-time fees. OpenShot’s product page is a good starting point if you want to explore free third-party software with more capability than Clipchamp offers.

Three Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Decide Your Next Step

Here is the short version of what to open next:

• One clip, trim only: Photos app, Ctrl + E, adjust sliders, save as copy.
• Multiple clips, text, music, Windows 11: Open Clipchamp, import media, drag to timeline, export at 1080p.
• Multiple clips, Windows 10: Open Photos, click Video Editor, create a new video project.
• Need professional features: Download OpenShot, DaVinci Resolve, or Lightworks.

All the free built-in tools share one limitation: they export with a small Clipchamp or Photos watermark at the end unless you sign in with a Microsoft account (Clipchamp) or accept the default export (Photos/Video Editor). No subscription required, no premium tier needed — just a free Microsoft account login removes it in Clipchamp. If that bothers you, the third-party alternatives listed above export watermark-free from the start.