Windows 10 Photos App Video Editor: Step-by-Step

This guide walks you through the built-in video editor in the Windows 10 Photos app, letting you trim clips, add text, apply filters, and combine multiple videos and photos into a single project without installing extra software. You’ll need a Windows 10 PC with the Photos app (it comes preinstalled) and the media files you want to edit saved on your computer.

What You’ll Need

• Windows 10 with the Photos app (version 2019.18071.20110.0 or later recommended)
• Video clips and/or photos you want to edit
• A mouse or touchscreen (keyboard shortcuts also work)

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Photos app. Click the Start button, type “Photos” in the search bar, and press Enter. Alternatively, find the Photos app icon in the Start menu or taskbar.
2. Start a new video project. In the Photos app, click the “New video” button in the top toolbar, then select “New video project.” A blank project window opens.
3. Name your project. In the top-left corner, click the default title (like “Untitled”) and type a name for your video. Press Enter to save it.
4. Add your media. Click the “Add” button in the top menu, then choose “From this PC” (or “From your PC” depending on your version). Browse to your videos and photos, select them (hold Ctrl to pick multiple), and click “Open.” The items appear in the project library as thumbnails.
5. Place items on the storyboard. Drag each video or photo from the library down to the storyboard at the bottom of the window. Arrange them in the order you want by dragging left or right. You can also click the “+” on a thumbnail to add it to the end of the storyboard.
6. Trim a video clip. Click on a video in the storyboard to select it. Then click the “Trim” button in the top toolbar (it looks like a scissors icon). A trimming panel opens. Drag the white handles at the start and end to set the new beginning and ending points. Click “Done” to apply the trim.
7. Split a clip (optional). To cut a video into two parts, select it on the storyboard, then click the “Split” button. A white playhead appears. Drag the playhead to the point where you want to cut, then click “Split.” The clip is divided into two separate segments.
8. Add text overlays. Select a video or photo on the storyboard, then click the “Text” button in the toolbar. Choose a text style (like “Title” or “Caption”). A text box appears in the preview window. Type your text, then drag it to position it. Use the handles to resize. Click “Done” when finished.
9. Apply motion effects (photos only). For still images, select the photo on the storyboard, then click the “Motion” button. Choose an effect like “Pan and zoom” or “Zoom in center.” The effect will animate the photo when the video plays.
10. Add filters. Select a clip or photo, then click the “Filters” button. A row of filter thumbnails appears. Click one to preview it on your media. Click “Done” to apply it. You can change or remove the filter anytime.
11. Adjust duration (photos and clips). To change how long a photo appears, select it on the storyboard, then click the “Duration” button. Choose a preset (like 2 seconds) or select “Custom” to enter a specific time in seconds. For video clips, you can only shorten them via trim, not lengthen.
12. Add background music. Click the “Music” button in the top toolbar. You can either choose from the built-in music tracks or click “Select a song” to add your own audio file (MP3, M4A, etc.). The music will play over the entire video. You can adjust the volume by clicking the music note icon on the storyboard.
13. Add narration (optional). Click the “Narration” button, then the red record button. Speak into your microphone. Click stop when done. The narration is added to the storyboard as an audio track.
14. Preview your video. Click the play button in the preview window to watch your project. Use the timeline scrubber to jump to any point.
15. Save your video. When you’re satisfied, click “Finish video” in the top-right corner. Choose a video quality (1080p is recommended for most uses). Name the file, pick a destination folder, and click “Export.” The export progress bar appears; wait for it to complete.

Common Mistakes

• Not trimming before splitting. If you split a clip without trimming first, you may end up with unwanted sections at the beginning or end.
• Dragging items in the wrong order. The storyboard order is the final video order. Double-check that you’ve arranged clips correctly before exporting.
• Ignoring the preview. Text and filters may look different in the small preview than on your final export. Always preview the full video before saving.
• Forgetting to set photo duration. By default, photos appear for 3 seconds. If you have many photos, this can make your video too long or too short. Adjust durations as needed.
• Overloading with effects. Using a filter, motion, and text on every clip can make the video look cluttered and unprofessional. Use effects sparingly.

Tips

• Use keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl+Z to undo, Ctrl+S to save your project, and Space to play/pause the preview. These speed up editing.
• Save your project early. The Photos app auto-saves your project as you work, but it’s good practice to click the save icon (floppy disk) in the top-left corner periodically.
• Export in the right resolution. For social media, 1080p is usually fine. For email or quick sharing, choose a lower resolution like 720p to reduce file size.
• Use the “Remix” feature for automatic edits. If you’re in a hurry, click “Remix” and the app will automatically arrange your media with music and transitions. You can then tweak the result.
• Add text at the end for credits. Create a black background by adding a photo, then apply a text overlay to make simple end credits.

Troubleshooting

• Video won’t import. The Photos app supports common formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI. If your file isn’t recognized, convert it to MP4 using a free converter or try a different file.
• App crashes or freezes. Close other programs to free up memory. Update the Photos app via Microsoft Store (click the three-dot menu > Downloads and updates > Get updates). Restart your PC if the issue persists.
• Export fails or takes too long. Try exporting to a different folder or with a lower resolution. Ensure you have enough free disk space (at least 2x the video file size).
• Music doesn’t play. Check that the audio file is not corrupted and is in a supported format (MP3, M4A, WAV). Also, make sure the music volume isn’t set to zero in the app.
• Text disappears after export. This is rare but can happen if the font is not available. Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri to avoid issues.
• Can’t find the “New video” button. Make sure your Photos app is updated. If you still don’t see it, your Windows 10 version may be too old; update Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a video that’s already in my Photos library?

Yes. Open the video in Photos, then click the “Edit” button (pencil icon) and select “Create a video with this clip.” This will start a new project with that clip already added.

Can I change the order of clips after adding them?

Absolutely. Just drag any clip or photo left or right on the storyboard to reorder it. You can also right-click a thumbnail and select “Move left” or “Move right.”

How do I remove a clip from my project?

Select the clip on the storyboard and press the Delete key, or right-click and choose “Remove.” This removes it from the project but doesn’t delete the original file from your PC.

Can I add multiple songs to one video?

No, the Photos app only allows one background music track per project. If you need different music for different sections, you’ll need to export separate videos and combine them later with another tool.

Does the video editor support 4K video?

Yes, you can import and edit 4K videos, but the export options are limited to 1080p, 720p, and lower. The final video will be downscaled to the selected resolution.

Can I use the video editor offline?

Yes, all editing features work offline. The only online features are the “Remix” suggestions and some music tracks that may require an internet connection to download.

Related

• iPad Pro Keyboard Covers: 5 Options That Fit
• Windows Sandbox: How to Use It
• Can’t Hear WhatsApp Voice Messages? Fix It