How to Use the Video Editor in Windows 11 Photos

A Video Editor Hidden in Your Photos App

Most Windows 11 users don't realize the Photos app includes a basic video editor — good enough for trimming clips, adding music, overlaying text, and creating simple video projects without any additional software.

How to Open the Video Editor

1. Open the Photos app
2. Click the Video editor tab in the left sidebar (or search "Video editor" in Start)
3. Click New video project
4. Give your project a name

Adding and Arranging Clips

1. Click Add → From this PC to import your video clips and photos
2. Drag them from the Project library into the Storyboard at the bottom
3. Rearrange clips in the storyboard by dragging them into order

Key Editing Tools

• Trim: Right-click a clip → Trim. Drag handles to cut the start and end
• Split: Right-click → Split. Divides a clip at the current playback position
• Text: Right-click → Add text. Overlay titles or captions on any clip
• Motion: Add a Ken Burns pan-and-zoom effect to still photos
• Filters: Apply color filters to individual clips or the whole video
• Music: Click the Music button to add background audio — use included tracks or your own files
• Speed: Right-click → Speed. Make clips slow motion or fast forward

Exporting Your Video

Click Finish video → choose quality (540p, 720p, or 1080p) → click Export. Saves as an MP4 file.

Limitations

The Photos video editor is intentionally basic — no multi-track audio, color grading, or advanced transitions. For more complex projects, Clipchamp (also built into Windows 11) or free tools like DaVinci Resolve offer more capability.