Use Video Editor, part of Microsoft’s Photos Legacy app on Windows 10. Start a new video project, add your clips, put them in order on the storyboard, and select Finish video to save them as one file.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.
Open Video Editor
- Select Start, type Video Editor, and open it.
- If you don’t see it, open the Photos app, go to its settings, and select Get Photos Legacy. Video Editor is part of Photos Legacy.
Combine your clips
- Select New video project and type a name, such as Holiday trip.
- In Project library, select Add > From this PC, and pick the clips you want to join.
- Drag each clip into the Storyboard at the bottom, in the order you want.
- To shorten a clip, select it in the storyboard and select Trim.
- Select Finish video, choose a video quality such as High 1080p, and select Export.
- Choose where to save the new file and select Export. The new video is saved as an MP4 file. Your original clips aren’t changed.
Another option: Clipchamp
Clipchamp is Microsoft’s newer video editor, and you can get it from the Microsoft Store. Drag your clips onto its timeline side by side, and they play as one video. See Microsoft’s steps to combine videos in Clipchamp.
- Open Clipchamp, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select Create a new video.
- Select Import media and choose all the clips you want to join.
- Drag the clips onto the timeline one after another. Drag them left or right to change the order.
- Select Export and choose 1080p. The joined video saves to your Downloads folder as an MP4.
Microsoft is putting its work into Clipchamp, and Video Editor no longer gets new features. If Video Editor or Photos Legacy isn’t available on your PC, use Clipchamp instead.
To cut one clip without joining it to others, see how to trim a video in Windows 10. If a clip is sideways, see how to rotate a video in Windows 10.
Smooth the joins between clips
A straight cut between two clips can feel abrupt, especially when the lighting or sound changes. In Clipchamp, select Transitions in the left toolbar and drag one, such as Cross fade, onto the line where two clips meet on the timeline. Drag its edges to make it longer or shorter.
A few other habits help:
- Use clips with the same orientation. Mixing portrait phone videos with landscape ones leaves black bars unless you crop or fit each clip.
- Trim a second or two off the start and end of each clip to remove fumbling with the camera.
- If one clip is much louder, select it and lower its volume before you export.
If merging doesn’t work
- Video Editor won’t open your clip. It doesn’t support every format. Try Clipchamp, which handles common formats such as MP4, MOV, and WEBM.
- Black bars appear around some clips. The clips have different shapes, such as a phone video next to a camera video. In Video Editor, select the clip and choose Remove black bars. In Clipchamp, change the aspect ratio next to the preview.
- The sound is out of sync. This can happen with clips recorded at different frame rates. Export again at a lower quality, or convert the clips to MP4 first.
- The finished video is huge. Choose a lower quality, such as 720p, when you export.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add music or a title?
Yes. In Video Editor, use Background music or Custom audio, and select a clip and choose Title card or Text.
Why is the export slow?
Long videos and high quality take longer. Close other apps, or choose a lower quality.
Will merging lower the quality?
A little, because the editor saves a new copy. Export at the same resolution as your original clips, usually 1080p, to keep them looking sharp.
Is there a limit to how many clips I can join?
Not a fixed one. Very long projects take longer to export and need more free space, so save your work often.
Where is the merged video saved?
Video Editor asks where to save it when you select Finish video, so pick a folder you’ll remember, such as Videos. Clipchamp saves exports to your Downloads folder.
Do I need to install anything?
On Windows 10, you may need to get Photos Legacy or Clipchamp from the Microsoft Store. Both are free, though Clipchamp asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account.
Using Windows 11? The steps are much the same. See how to merge videos in Windows 11 with Clipchamp.
Microsoft’s reference is Get help with Microsoft Photos app. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to trim a video in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.