Ever recorded a video only to realize it has unwanted edges, black bars, or distracting elements in the frame? Don’t worry—Windows 11 has simple ways to crop videos so you can focus on exactly what matters. Whether you want to remove borders, highlight a subject, or adjust the aspect ratio for social media, this guide will show you how to crop videos in Windows 11 step by step.
Why Crop Videos in Windows 11?
Cropping is more than just cutting out parts of a video. Here’s why it’s useful:
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Remove distractions: Focus on the main subject by eliminating unnecessary background.
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Adjust aspect ratio: Make your video fit platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.
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Professional look: Cropping helps make videos cleaner and more visually appealing.
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Reduce file size: Smaller frame = smaller file, which is handy for sharing online.
Methods to Crop Videos in Windows 11
There are several ways to crop a video on Windows 11, ranging from built-in tools to third-party apps. Let’s explore them.
Method 1: Crop Video Using the Photos App
Windows 11’s Photos app isn’t just for viewing pictures—it has basic video editing tools.
Step 1: Open Your Video in Photos
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Right-click your video file.
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Select Open with > Photos.
Step 2: Enter Video Editor Mode
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Click Edit video at the top of the Photos app.
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Select Create a new video with text or Trim/Crop options.
Step 3: Crop the Video
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Click Crop & Rotate from the menu.
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Adjust the crop rectangle by dragging the corners to remove unwanted parts.
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Preview the video to ensure it looks right.
Step 4: Save Your Cropped Video
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Click Finish video.
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Choose your video quality and save the file.
Method 2: Crop Video Using Clipchamp (Free on Windows 11)
Clipchamp is a built-in video editor in Windows 11 that offers more advanced cropping tools.
Step 1: Open Clipchamp
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Search Clipchamp in the Start menu and launch it.
Step 2: Import Your Video
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Click + Create a new project.
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Drag and drop your video into the media library.
Step 3: Add Video to Timeline
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Drag your video onto the timeline at the bottom.
Step 4: Crop the Video
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Select the video on the timeline.
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Click Transform > Crop & Zoom.
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Adjust the cropping frame to select the area you want.
Step 5: Export the Video
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Click Export in the top-right corner.
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Choose the resolution and format, then save.
Method 3: Crop Video Using Third-Party Software
For advanced users who want more control, third-party software can offer professional features:
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Adobe Premiere Pro – Best for professional editing.
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Filmora – User-friendly, great for beginners.
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DaVinci Resolve – Free and professional-grade tools.
Steps Are Generally:
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Import your video.
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Drag it to the timeline.
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Use the crop tool to adjust the frame.
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Export the final video in your desired format.
Tips for Cropping Videos Effectively
1. Keep Aspect Ratio in Mind
If you’re posting online, know the platform’s preferred dimensions:
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YouTube: 16:9
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Instagram: 1:1 (square) or 9:16 (portrait)
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TikTok: 9:16
2. Don’t Cut Important Content
Ensure that cropping doesn’t remove essential elements like faces, text, or action.
3. Preview Before Saving
Always preview the cropped video to check for unwanted edges or missing parts.
4. Save as a New File
Avoid overwriting the original video. This way, you can revert if needed.
Common Issues When Cropping Videos
1. Video Becomes Blurry
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Cropping reduces resolution if the cropped area is small.
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Solution: Export in higher resolution or avoid excessive cropping.
2. Audio and Video Out of Sync
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Make sure to preview the cropped video; sometimes trimming can desync audio.
3. Cropping Not Available
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Older versions of Windows Photos app might lack crop features.
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Solution: Update Windows or use Clipchamp/third-party tools.
Conclusion
Cropping videos in Windows 11 doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you use the built-in Photos app for simple edits, Clipchamp for more control, or professional software for advanced work, you can quickly remove distractions, adjust your aspect ratio, and make your videos look polished.
With these methods, anyone—beginner or pro—can crop videos efficiently and share content that looks just right.
FAQs
1. Can I crop a video without losing quality in Windows 11?
Yes, but avoid extreme cropping. Export in the same resolution as the original video for best quality.
2. Is Clipchamp free in Windows 11?
Yes, the basic version of Clipchamp comes free and is pre-installed on Windows 11.
3. Can I crop multiple videos at once?
Not in Photos app, but Clipchamp and third-party editors often allow batch cropping.
4. Will cropping affect the video’s audio?
No, unless you trim or split the video. Audio remains intact.
5. Can I crop a video for social media directly in Windows 11?
Yes, both Photos and Clipchamp allow you to crop videos to standard social media aspect ratios.