To trim a video in Windows 10, right-click it and select Open with > Photos. Select Trim at the top, drag the start and end handles to the part you want to keep, and select Save as copy. Your original video stays as it was.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 27, 2026.
Trimming cuts time off the beginning or end of a video. It works on MP4 and the other video files Photos can play. To cut out a part in the middle, use Clipchamp, which is covered below. If you haven’t made the clip yet, see how to record a video on Windows 10.
Trim a video in Photos
- In File Explorer, right-click the video and select Open with > Photos.
- Select Trim at the top of the window, or press Ctrl + E. In older versions of Photos, select Edit & Create > Trim.
- Drag the left handle to where you want the video to start.
- Drag the right handle to where you want it to end. Press play to check your selection.
- Select Save as copy. Photos saves the trimmed part as a new video file.
To replace the original instead, open the arrow next to Save as copy and choose Save. You can’t undo that.
Cut out a part in the middle
Photos only trims the start and end. To remove a section in the middle, use Clipchamp, Microsoft’s free video editor. In Photos, you can open it from the video with Edit in Clipchamp, or install it from the Microsoft Store.
- Add the video to the timeline.
- Move the playhead to the start of the part you want to remove, then select the scissors (Split) button or press S.
- Move to the end of that part and split again.
- Select the piece between the two splits and press Delete.
- Select Export to save the new video.
If it doesn’t work
- There’s no Trim button. Update Photos from the Microsoft Store, or look under Edit & Create.
- The video won’t open in Photos. The file type may not be supported. Try another player or convert the file first.
Frequently asked questions
Does trimming lower the quality?
Photos makes a new file, and the original stays untouched. Keep the original until you’ve checked the copy.
Can I trim a screen recording?
Yes. Open the recording in Photos and trim it the same way. See how to record your screen in Windows 10.
Can I trim a sound recording?
Voice Recorder has its own Trim button. See how to record audio in Windows 10.
If the video is sideways or upside down, see how to rotate a video in Windows 10.
If your video won’t open at all, see how to play a .MOV file on Windows 10.
To join several clips into one video, see how to merge videos on Windows 10.
To trim an audio file instead, see how to trim an MP3 file in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, see how to play MP4 and MOV videos with the built-in Media Player app.
Using Windows 11? See how to trim a video in Windows 11 with Clipchamp.
Microsoft’s guides are Edit photos and videos in Windows and How to split or cut videos and audio assets. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
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.