Open Clipchamp, which comes with Windows 11, and add your video to the timeline. Select the clip and drag the handles at its start and end inward to cut off the parts you don’t want. Then select Export and choose 1080p to save the shorter video.
Applies to: Microsoft Clipchamp on Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
Trim the start and end
- Select Start, type Clipchamp, and open it. Select Create a new video.
- Select Import media, choose your video, and drag it onto the timeline.
- Select the clip on the timeline. White handles appear at each end.
- Drag the left handle to the right to cut the start. Drag the right handle to the left to cut the end.
- Play the preview to check it. If you cut too much, drag the handle back out.
Cut out a part in the middle
- Move the playhead to where the unwanted part starts, and select Split (the scissors).
- Move to where it ends and select Split again.
- Select the middle piece and press Delete. Clipchamp closes the gap for you, or right-click the gap and remove it.
Trim more precisely
- Zoom in on the timeline. Press Ctrl + = to zoom in and Ctrl + – to zoom out, or use the zoom buttons above the timeline. Zooming in stretches the clip out, so small moves change less of the video. Ctrl + 0 fits the whole video again.
- Play to the exact spot. Press the spacebar to play and pause, then drag the playhead to fine-tune where you want to cut.
- Split with the keyboard. With the clip selected, press S to split at the playhead.
- Undo a mistake. Press Ctrl + Z to undo the last trim or split.
Save the trimmed video
- Select Export in the top-right corner.
- Choose 1080p for most videos.
- When it finishes, the new video is saved to your Downloads folder as an MP4. Your original video isn’t changed.
If trimming or saving doesn’t work
- Clipchamp asks you to sign in. It needs a Microsoft account. Sign in with your personal account, or a work or school account if your organization uses Clipchamp.
- Your video won’t import. Clipchamp handles common formats such as MP4, MOV, and WEBM. If a file won’t load, convert it to MP4 first and try again.
- The export is stuck. Keep Clipchamp open until it finishes, and make sure your PC has enough free space for the new file. Long videos can take several minutes.
- A phone video has black bars. Select the aspect ratio button, such as 16:9, to the right of the preview and change it to 9:16 before you export.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trim a video without Clipchamp?
The Photos app opens videos, and on many PCs it sends you to Clipchamp when you choose to edit one. Clipchamp is Microsoft’s free video editor for Windows 11, so it’s the simplest built-in choice.
How do I combine the trimmed clip with other videos?
Put the other clips on the same timeline before you export. See how to merge videos in Windows 11 with Clipchamp. On Windows 10, see how to trim a video in Windows 10.
Is Clipchamp free?
Yes. The free version exports videos up to 1080p without a watermark. A paid Premium plan adds 4K exports and extra stock media.
Will trimming lower the video quality?
Clipchamp saves a new copy, so there’s a small change. Export at the same resolution as the original, usually 1080p, and most people won’t see a difference.
Can I trim just the sound?
Yes. Right-click the clip, select Audio, and choose Detach audio. The sound gets its own track that you can trim or delete without changing the picture.
Can I change the trim later?
Yes. Clipchamp saves your project automatically. Open Clipchamp, select the project on the home page, adjust the clip, and export again.
Can I share the video straight from Clipchamp?
Yes. After you export, Clipchamp offers options to save to OneDrive or upload to sites like YouTube and TikTok, as well as the copy saved to your Downloads folder.
Microsoft’s reference is How to trim videos, images, or audio assets. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to trim an MP3 file in Windows 10.
Related: how to download YouTube videos on Windows 11.
Related: how to edit an MP4 video on Windows 10.
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.