How to Edit MP4 Video on Windows 10

The easiest free way to edit an MP4 video on Windows 10 today is Microsoft Clipchamp, the official Windows video editor. The older Video Editor that used to be built into the Photos app has been removed, so guides that tell you to click Video Editor or New video project in Photos no longer work. This guide shows how to install Clipchamp, trim, split, add text and music, and export your MP4, plus other free options and fixes for common problems.

Step 1: Install and Open Clipchamp

1. Open the Microsoft Store and search for Microsoft Clipchamp.
2. Click Get or Install.
3. Open Clipchamp from the Start menu and sign in with a personal Microsoft account (or a work or school account if your organization allows it).

Microsoft confirms that the Video Editor is no longer included in Photos and recommends Clipchamp instead in Microsoft’s video editor help page. Clipchamp comes preinstalled on Windows 11 but must be downloaded on Windows 10.

Step 2: Create a Project and Import Your MP4

1. Click Create a new video.
2. Drag your MP4 file into the Your media panel, or click Import media and browse to it.
3. Drag the video from Your media down onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Trim the Start and End

Click the clip on the timeline. Drag the handle on its left edge to the right to cut the beginning, and drag the right handle to the left to cut the end. The preview updates as you drag. For a quick trim with no other changes, see our guide on how to trim a video in Windows 10.

Step 4: Split and Delete Unwanted Sections

1. Move the white playhead to the point where you want to cut.
2. Click the scissors icon above the timeline, or press S.
3. Click the section you want to remove and press Delete. Clipchamp closes the gap automatically.

Step 5: Add Text, Music and Transitions

• Text: click Text in the left toolbar, drag a style onto the timeline above your video, then type your words in the property panel on the right.
• Music: drag your own audio file into Your media, or open Content library > Audio for royalty-free tracks, then drag it onto the timeline.
• Transitions: open Transitions and drag one between two clips.
• Speed, volume and filters: select the clip and use the panel on the right to change speed, adjust audio or apply a filter.

More Common MP4 Edits in Clipchamp

Crop, rotate or flip

Select the clip and use the floating toolbar above the preview to crop, rotate 90 degrees or flip the video. This is handy for phone videos recorded sideways.

Change the aspect ratio for social media

Click the aspect ratio button beside the preview (it shows 16:9 by default) and choose 9:16 for vertical videos or 1:1 for square posts. Use the fit and fill options to decide whether the video is cropped or shown with borders.

Add captions

Select the clip, open Captions in the property panel and turn on automatic captions. Check the generated text for mistakes before exporting, especially names and technical terms.

Remove or replace the original sound

Select the clip and open Audio in the property panel to mute it, lower the volume, or detach the audio so you can delete it and add music or a voiceover instead.

Combine several MP4 files

Import all the clips, drag them onto the timeline one after another, and Clipchamp joins them into a single video when you export. Add a transition between clips if the cut feels abrupt.

Step 6: Export the Edited Video as MP4

1. Click Export in the top-right corner.
2. Choose a resolution such as 1080p. Higher resolutions may require a paid plan.
3. Wait for the export to finish; the file is saved as an MP4 in your Downloads folder by default.

Name the project before exporting so you can find it again later. Projects stay in Clipchamp, so you can reopen and change them.

Other Free Ways to Edit MP4 Files on Windows 10

• Shotcut: a free, open-source editor that works offline and handles most formats.
• DaVinci Resolve: a professional free editor with color correction and audio tools, but it needs a powerful PC and has a steeper learning curve.
• Your phone: for short clips, the built-in editor on an iPhone or Android phone may be quicker, then copy the result to your PC.

Download any editor only from its developer’s official website to avoid bundled adware.

Tips for Editing MP4 Videos

• Keep the original file. Clipchamp never overwrites it, but other tools might, so work on a copy.
• Close other apps while editing and exporting to free up memory.
• Use the same frame rate and resolution as your source video for the smoothest result.
• Preview the whole video once before exporting to catch missed cuts.

Troubleshooting

I cannot find Video Editor in Photos

It has been removed from the Photos app. Use Clipchamp or another editor instead.

Clipchamp will not install or open

Make sure Windows 10 is fully updated and that the Microsoft Store is working. Clipchamp also needs an up-to-date version of Microsoft Edge WebView2, which Windows Update normally installs.

The MP4 will not import or plays without sound

The file may use an uncommon codec. Try playing it first; see how to play a .MOV file on Windows 10 for codec tips, or convert the file with a free converter before editing.

Export is slow or fails

Lower the export resolution, close other apps, and check that you have enough free disk space. Long 4K videos can take a long time on older PCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clipchamp free?

Clipchamp has a free plan that covers trimming, splitting, text, music and standard-resolution exports. Some stock media, effects and higher-resolution exports require a paid subscription.

Does Clipchamp need an internet connection?

You need to be online to sign in and use its content library. Your own media can be edited on your PC.

Can I edit MP4 videos in Windows 11 the same way?

Yes. Clipchamp is preinstalled on Windows 11. For quick cuts, see how to trim a video in Windows 11.

Is Windows 10 still supported?

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Apps such as Clipchamp may keep working for a while, but upgrading to Windows 11 or enrolling in Extended Security Updates keeps your PC protected.