Quick Answer:
To crop a video on Windows 11, you can use Clipchamp (free and pre-installed) for quick, basic edits. Or, use AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate for high-quality, lossless 4K processing, precise crop control, and batch editing. If you prefer using the Windows 11 Photos app, it works for simple crops, but recent updates may redirect video editing to Clipchamp.
When you record a video, it's common to capture extra footage that you don't need. It includes unwanted edges, black bars, or distracting background elements. Instead of retaking the entire clip, you can crop the video to focus on the important content. Most video editing programs, including Windows 11's built-in tools, offer cropping features that let you easily select which part of the video remains visible. Cropping isn't just for professionals; even beginners can quickly remove unnecessary parts and adjust aspect ratios for social media. In this guide, we'll show you three simple ways to crop a video on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, using both free built-in tools and advanced software.
| Video Cropper | System Requirements | Ease of Use | Best For | Watermark | Output Formats | Output Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photos App | Windows 10 and 11 | Beginner-friendly | Quick basic edits | MP4 | Up to 1080p | |
| ClipChamp | Windows 11 | Easy | Basic video cropping | MP4 | Up to 1080p (free) and 4K (premium) | |
| AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate | Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 | Easy, but advanced | 4K & high-resolution videos and batch cropping | MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, and 500+ other formats | Up to 8K |
The Photos app is a convenient starting point to crop video on Windows 11, free with no watermark. Aside from viewing media files, it lets you crop, trim, split, rotate, and add text. It's useful for removing black bars or changing the aspect ratio without installing extra software.
1. On the Photos app, navigate to the Video Editor and select New video project. Click + Add to import your video, then drag it to the Storyboard.
2. Click the three-dot (See more) menu and select the current aspect ratio. Then choose 9:16, 3:4, or Make landscape, and use Crop to remove the black bars.
If the crop button is missing in the Windows 11 Photos app (even after following the steps above), it's not a problem with your computer. It's because you're using the new version that routes video editing to Clipchamp automatically. If you prefer the older style editor, you can still download the Microsoft Photos Legacy app from the Microsoft Store.
Clipchamp is a built-in tool that can resize the video aspect ratio in Windows 11. It comes pre-installed on most Windows 11 systems and offers an intuitive timeline interface. Additionally, it includes basic editing tools such as crop, trim, rotate, and split.
1. On Clipchamp, click Import Media to load the video, or drag it directly into the timeline. Clipchamp supports files from local storage or OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
2. Select the clip in the timeline, then click Crop from the toolbar. Adjust the cropping frame manually or use a preset aspect ratio to fit your target platform.
In my tests, Clipchamp performs well with standard HD footage. However, it crashed when cropping 4K footage on a system with less than 8GB RAM. For smoother editing, reduce the preview resolution in the settings before cropping high-resolution footage.
For professional, high-resolution editing, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is the ultimate choice for how to crop a video on Windows 11. Unlike the built-in tools, it handles large 4K files smoothly. Additionally, it supports batch processing and delivers precise control over cropping and aspect ratios. It offers an interactive crop frame, numeric inputs for precise crop dimensions, flexible aspect-ratio presets, and multiple Zoom Mode options. These features allow you to adjust your video so it fills the frame exactly as you want.
Why Choose AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate:
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1. As soon as AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate opens, click +Add Files. Select Add Files to import individual videos, or Add Folder to upload multiple videos simultaneously. All imported files will appear in the main interface, making organization easy.
2. Click the Edit (magic wand) button next to the video you want to crop. Switch to the Rotate & Crop tab, where you'll find multiple cropping tools:
3. Preview your video in the editor to ensure everything is framed correctly. If satisfied, click OK to return to the main UI. From the Output Format menu, select your desired video format and quality. Set a destination folder, then click Convert All to export your cropped video.
When processing 4K 60fps clips, this best video cropper for Windows 11 delivered smoother previews and preserved the original bitrate much better than most free tools. Its batch-processing feature also crops multiple videos simultaneously, a huge time-saver for content creators working with large footage libraries. The precise numeric inputs and Zoom Mode give full control over framing, perfect for professional projects or social media-ready videos.
How to crop a screenshot on Windows 11?
To crop a screenshot on Windows 11, you can use the built-in Snipping Tool. In the Snipping Tool, take a screenshot, click Edit, and select Crop to remove unwanted areas. It ensures your screenshot focuses only on the relevant content.
Does Windows 10 have a built-in video editor?
Yes, Windows 10 includes a built-in video editor in the Photos app. However, recent updates have limited it mostly to trimming and minor adjustments. For advanced editing, like cropping, you'll need to either download Clipchamp from the Microsoft Store or use AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate to crop video on Windows 10.
Why is exporting files on Clipchamp very slow?
Clipchamp can be slow when exporting videos because it struggles with large or high-resolution files. Free or built-in Clipchamp also limits resolution to 1080p, and rendering depends heavily on your system's RAM and CPU.
How do I crop a video on Windows 11 for free without downloading software?
The easiest way is to use Clipchamp, which comes pre-installed on Windows 11. Import your video, select the clip in the timeline, click Crop, adjust the frame or choose an aspect ratio preset, and export. This method allows free cropping without downloading software.
Is there a built-in video cropper in Windows 11 like the old Photos app?
Not exactly. The old Photos app included direct cropping tools, but newer versions of Windows 11 redirect video editing tasks to Clipchamp. The legacy crop buttons may no longer appear in Photos so that you won't see the old interface.
How do I change the aspect ratio in Clipchamp for Instagram on Windows 11?
In Clipchamp, select your video and click Crop. Then, under Aspect Ratio, choose 1:1 for Instagram feed posts or 9:16 for Stories and Reels. The program will automatically adjust the crop frame to match the selected ratio.
Why is the crop button missing in my Windows 11 Photos app?
The crop button may be missing because Microsoft removed the old Video Editor in favor of Clipchamp. The Photos app now mostly handles viewing and minor trims. Meanwhile, advanced tools like crop, rotate, and aspect-ratio presets are redirected to Clipchamp.
That's how to crop a video on Windows 11/10/8/7! Cropping lets you remove unwanted footage, eliminate black bars, and focus on the essential parts of your video. While built-in tools are convenient for quick edits, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate stands out as the best choice for professional results. With AnyMP4, you can handle 4K and high-resolution videos effortlessly. Additionally, you can crop multiple files at once with batch processing and export videos completely watermark-free. Its multiple cropping options give you full control over your footage. Whether you're preparing content for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or client projects, AnyMP4 ensures high-quality output with minimal effort.