Windows Photos app is not only an image viewer and editor, but it also includes built-in video editing features. One of the most useful tools is the ability to quickly trim videos without installing third-party software.
If you want to trim video in Windows Photos app, this guide will walk you through everything step by step.
What is Windows Photos App?
The Windows Photos app is a built-in tool in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that allows users to view, organize, and edit photos and videos. It also includes basic video editing features such as trimming, cropping, and creating simple video projects.
How to Trim a Video in Windows Photos App
To trim a video using the Photos app, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to the video file you want to edit
- Right-click the video and select Open with > Photos
- The video will open and start playing automatically
- Click the Video trim button in the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + E)
This will open the built-in trimming interface.
Using the Trim Tool in Windows 11 Photos App
Once the trimming tool opens, you will see:
- A timeline at the bottom
- Two sliders (start and end points)
- A playhead for previewing frames
- Buttons: Save a copy and Cancel
To trim the video:
- Drag the left slider to set the start point
- Drag the right slider to set the end point
- Preview your selection using the playhead
- Click Save a copy
Only the selected portion will be saved as a new video file.
Can’t Trim Video in Windows Photos App?
If the Save a copy button is greyed out, it usually means:
- You have not set start/end points yet
- The sliders have not been adjusted on the timeline
Fix this by moving the trim handles before saving.
Where Are Trimmed Videos Saved?
By default, trimmed videos are saved in:
C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Video Projects
The Windows Photos app stores edited videos inside the Pictures > Video Projects folder.
Supported Video Formats and Codecs
After trimming, videos are usually saved as:
- Format: MP4
- Video codec: H.264 (avc1)
- Audio codec: AAC (mp4a)
Original files may differ. For example, iPhone videos are often recorded in MOV format using HEVC (H.265) codec.
The Photos app automatically converts them during export.
Limitations of Windows Photos Video Trim Tool
While the tool is convenient, it has some limitations:
- Does not support all formats (AVI, FLV, RMVB, MXF not supported)
- Cannot remove sections from the middle of a video
- Always re-encodes video (no lossless trimming)
- Export format is limited to MP4 only
- May change aspect ratio in some portrait videos
Tips for Better Video Trimming in Windows
To get the best results when you trim video in Windows Photos app:
- Always preview before saving
- Keep original files as backup
- Avoid repeated trimming (reduces quality over time)
- Use consistent formats like MP4 when possible
Conclusion
The Windows Photos app provides a fast and simple way to trim videos on Windows 11 and Windows 10 without installing extra software. While it has limitations, it works well for quick edits and basic video trimming tasks.
If you just need to quickly trim video in Windows Photos app, this built-in tool is more than enough for everyday use.