Not only may you not know how to use the free Windows video editor, but you may not even know that these options even exist on your Windows laptop or desktop.
It turns out that the Windows 10 Photos app might be misnamed since it allows you to make some limited edits to videos. Microsoft also offers two free video editors – Video Editor and Clipchamp – in Windows 10, but these are more detailed tools. With Photos, you can do basic edits—and some more advanced ones—through a familiar interface at no extra cost.
Read on for instructions on how to open your video in the Photos app and for a quick overview of the tools available. After reading this guide on how to use Windows 10 free video editor, you will have valuable knowledge next time you need to make some edits to footage.
How to Use Free Windows Video Editor
1. Right-click on your video file and either open it in Photos OR select “Edit in Photos” in the Movies & TV app
2. Use the various tools in Photos to edit and enhance your clip, such as B. the tools for cropping, marking or slow motion.
Read on to see detailed instructions for each step.
1a. Open a video clip in the Photos app. You may have to right click and then select Open with and then photos to ensure the file opens in the correct app.
1b. Alternatively, after opening a video in the default Movies & TV app, you can select the Edit in photos button at the bottom right of the window.
From here you have a surprising number of editing options, but they aren’t particularly well signposted. Just as well you have us here to point you in the right direction.
video editing: Either select the icon at the top-left center of the window (which looks like a picture and a pen) or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + E.
From here you can change the start or stop point of your video clip, or remove portions to focus only on the best parts of your footage. Just drag the blue handles to select the start and end points, and use the blue pin to see what’s happening at any given moment in the image.
click Save a copy When you’re done, a new file will be created with your changes.
See more: Under the three dots icon on the right side of the top center buttons you will find a few different options. The ones we are interested in for video editing are markup and Edit more….
Surcharge: Scribble over the video to add annotations.
You can select multiple pen types and colors using the toolbar at the top of the screen, then save a copy when you’re done.
Under the Edit the More… menufind even more options.
Add slow motion: Clicking it will open a new editing window where you can play a portion of your clip at 0.5x normal speed or a brief moment at 0.25x speed. Use the slider at the top of the window to switch between normal, slow, or super slow motion, the white handles on the playbar to trim the clip, and the blue handles to choose where to apply the slow motion effect.
Add 3D Effects: If your video is missing falling leaves, party balloons or other CG effects, you can add them in this submenu with many pre-installed options.
Just click an effect you like, drag and resize it on the video as you see fit.
Add animated text: Similar to the 3D effects menu, this selection opens a new window where you can select text presets, move them, and so on.
Create a video with text: This will open the built-in Microsoft Video Editor app, a more detailed video editor app. However, we will save the use of this app for another article.
More options: It’s another three-dot icon, this time on the video playback bar at the bottom of the window.
If you click on it, you have the following options:
Save frame: Select a highlight from the video and save it as a still image by dragging the blue dot to the spot in the video you want to capture.
Select subtitle file: If you’re trying to make your video accessible to people with hearing disabilities, you can use this option to upload subtitles. You will be taken to a file explorer window where you can then select the correct file.
We’ve got more Windows tips for you if you’re interested in learning more. If you’re struggling with incompatible images, you might want to check out how to open HEIC files on Windows, while you want to capture your desktop, you might need our guide on how to take screenshots on Windows 10. Users who want a better file search tool need a look at how to turn on advanced search on Windows 10, while anyone who has updated their operating system but prefers how it used to be should see how to turn the Windows 11 start menu back on Windows 10 changes.