How to Rotate a Video in Windows 10

To rotate a video in Windows 10, open it in Clipchamp, Microsoft’s free video editor. Add the video to the timeline and select it. Then select the More (…) button above the preview and choose Rotate 90° until it’s the right way up. Select Export to save a new, rotated copy.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 27, 2026.

The Movies & TV app and Windows Media Player can play a video but can’t rotate it. You need an editor to save the video the right way up.

Rotate a video in Clipchamp

1. Select Start, type Clipchamp, and open it. If you don’t have it, get Microsoft Clipchamp free from the Microsoft Store. You’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account the first time.
2. Select Create a new video, then drag your video into the editor or select Import media.
3. Drag the video onto the timeline and select it.
4. Select More (…) on the toolbar above the preview, then Rotate 90°. Repeat until the video is the right way up.

You can also drag the round rotate handle under the preview to turn it freely. Press Ctrl + Z to undo.

Fix black bars after rotating

A phone video rotated from tall to wide, or the other way, may show black bars or get cropped. Select the aspect ratio button to the right of the preview and pick the shape you want, such as 16:9 for a wide video or 9:16 for a tall one. Then select Fit or Fill in the toolbar to size the clip.

Save the rotated video

1. Select Export in the top-right corner.
2. Choose 1080p for the best quality.
3. When it’s done, select Save to your computer. The new video goes to your Downloads folder.

Your original video isn’t changed, so you can always start again from it.

Just want to watch it the right way?

If you don’t need a new file, some players can turn a video while it plays. In VLC, for example, select Tools > Effects and Filters > Video Effects > Geometry, check Transform, and pick a rotation. This doesn’t change the file.

If you have the older Video Editor

Some Windows 10 PCs still have the older Video Editor (part of Photos Legacy). Add the video to a new project, drag it to the storyboard, select Rotate (or press Ctrl + R), and then select Finish video.

If rotating or exporting doesn’t work

• Clipchamp asks you to sign in: it needs a Microsoft account. Sign in with the account you use for Windows or Outlook.
• The video won’t import: Clipchamp works best with MP4 and MOV files. Convert other formats to MP4 first.
• Export fails or stops: try exporting at 720p, close other apps, and make sure there’s free space on your drive.
• The rotated video looks squashed: change the aspect ratio as shown above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I cut out part of the video?

See how to trim a video in Windows 10.

Can I flip a video instead?

Yes. In the same menu, choose Flip horizontal or Flip vertical.

Does Clipchamp add a watermark?

Not to your own videos. The free version exports up to 1080p without a watermark. Some stock videos and effects need a paid plan.

Will rotating lower the quality?

A little, because Clipchamp saves a new copy of the video. Export at 1080p, or the same resolution as the original, to keep it close. Your original file stays as it was.

Can I rotate several videos at once?

Not in one step. Clipchamp rotates each clip separately, so rotate and export them one at a time, or put them in one project if you want a single video.

My whole screen is sideways, not just a video. What now?

See how to rotate the screen in Windows 10.

After you fix the clip, you can join it with others. See how to merge videos on Windows 10.

Microsoft’s references are How to rotate videos, images, and other visual elements in Clipchamp and Create films with a video editor. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.

Related: how to record a video on Windows 10.