Edit Videos in Microsoft Photos: Step-by-Step

This guide shows you how to trim, split, add music, text, and filters to your videos using the built-in Microsoft Photos app on Windows 10 and Windows 11. You don’t need any extra software—everything is done right inside Photos, and your edited video is saved as a new file so the original stays untouched.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11 with the Photos app installed (it comes preinstalled).
• The video file you want to edit (MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.) saved on your computer.
• Optional: A separate audio file (MP3, M4A) if you want to add your own background music.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the video in Photos: Right-click the video file in File Explorer, choose Open with, then select Photos. Alternatively, open the Photos app, go to your collection, and double-click the video.
2. Enter the video editor: With the video open, click the Edit button (pencil icon) at the top of the window. This opens the editing toolbar with several options: Trim, Filters, Text, and more.
3. Trim the video: Click Trim in the top toolbar. You’ll see a timeline with handles on both ends. Drag the left handle to set the new start point, and the right handle to set the end point. Use the play button to preview. Click Done to apply the trim.
4. Split a clip (Windows 11 only): If you want to cut out a middle section, use the split tool. Position the playhead where you want to cut, click Split (scissors icon), then select the segment you don’t want and press Delete. (On Windows 10, you can achieve this by trimming multiple times—trim the start, then trim the end of the remaining clip.)
5. Add text: Click Text in the toolbar. Choose a text style from the options (e.g., Title, Subtitle). A text box appears on the video preview. Type your text, then drag the text box to position it. Use the slider to adjust how long the text stays on screen. Click Done to apply.
6. Apply filters: Click Filters in the toolbar. Scroll through the filter thumbnails and click one to preview it. Use the intensity slider to dial in the effect. Click Done to apply.
7. Adjust background music or video volume: Click Background music (or the music note icon) in the toolbar. You can choose from the built-in music tracks, or click Select a song to browse for your own audio file. Use the volume slider to balance the music against the original video audio. Click Done.
8. Save your edited video: After all edits, click Save a copy (top right). Choose a file name and location, then click Export. Photos will render the video—this may take a few minutes depending on length and resolution. The original file remains unchanged.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking “Save” instead of “Save a copy”—this overwrites your original video. Always use “Save a copy” to keep the original.
• Trimming too aggressively—you can’t undo a trim after you click “Done” and close the editor. Double-check your start and end points before applying.
• Adding text that’s too long—long text gets cut off at the screen edges. Keep titles short and use the preview to see the final look.
• Ignoring the volume balance—if you add background music, the original audio may be too loud or too quiet. Always adjust the volume slider.
• Not checking the export quality—Photos exports at a reasonable quality, but if you need high bitrate for professional use, this app might not be enough.

Tips

• Use keyboard shortcuts: press Ctrl+Z to undo an edit, and Ctrl+S to save a copy quickly.
• For precise trimming, zoom into the timeline by using the scroll wheel or the zoom slider at the bottom.
• If you want a slow-motion effect, you can’t do that directly in Photos—but you can use the “Speed” option in the editor (Windows 11) to slow down or speed up the video.
• Use the “Auto enhance” button (magic wand icon) to quickly fix lighting and color with one click.
• Keep your video file in a folder you can easily find—Photos saves the edited copy in the same folder as the original by default.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t find the Edit button: Make sure you’ve opened a video (not a photo). If you’re in the Photos home screen, click on the video first, then the Edit button appears.
• Video won’t play or edit: The file format may be unsupported. Convert the video to MP4 (H.264) using a free converter, or try opening it in a different app like VLC to confirm it’s not corrupted.
• Export takes forever or fails: Close other programs that use heavy CPU or disk, and make sure you have enough free storage. If it still fails, try trimming the video into shorter clips and export them separately.
• Background music not syncing: The music starts from the beginning of the trimmed video. If you want it to start later, you can’t adjust the music offset in Photos—you’ll need to trim the audio file first.
• Text disappears too quickly: You can adjust the duration of text by dragging the text bar on the timeline (Windows 11). In Windows 10, the text duration is fixed—try splitting the video if you need more control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit videos in Microsoft Photos on Windows 10?

Yes, Windows 10’s Photos app has basic editing features like trim, text, filters, and background music. The split tool is only available in Windows 11, but you can achieve similar results by trimming multiple times.

Does editing in Photos reduce video quality?

Photos re-encodes the video when you export, which can slightly reduce quality, especially if you export multiple times. To minimize loss, avoid re-editing an already-exported video—edit the original each time.

Can I add my own music to a video in Photos?

Yes, click “Background music” and then “Select a song” to choose an audio file from your computer. The music will play over the entire video.

How do I remove the original audio from a video?

Photos doesn’t have a direct “mute” button, but you can lower the video volume to zero using the volume slider in the “Background music” section.

Can I rotate or crop a video in Photos?

Yes, in the edit toolbar you’ll find a “Crop” option (crop icon) that lets you rotate and crop the video. Just drag the corners of the frame to adjust.

Where does the edited video get saved?

When you click “Save a copy,” Photos asks you for a location. By default, it suggests the same folder as the original file, with “-Copy” appended to the name.

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