How can I reduce video size for mp4 file on my pc?

Clipchamp, online video editor by Microsoft

Let me talk you through using PowerPoint to reduce MP4 file size on your Windows PC. PowerPoint has a hidden "Compress Media" feature that most people don't even know exists . It's completely free (assuming you already have Microsoft Office installed), and it's built right into the software, so no sketchy downloads required.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint (any recent version works) and create a blank presentation

Step 2: Go to Insert > Video > This Device and drop your MP4 file onto a slide

Step 3: Click on File > Info in the top menu

Step 4: Look for the "Compress Media" button. Click it, and you'll see three quality options :

     Full HD (1080p) - Keeps good quality, moderate file size reduction

     HD (720p) - Decent quality, better compression

     Standard (480p) - Smallest file size, noticeable quality drop

Step 5: Pick your poison, and PowerPoint does its magic. Once it's done, you can save the video by right-clicking the clip and selecting "Save Media as" to export it as a new MP4 file.

Here's what actually happens when you click that button: PowerPoint lowers the video's resolution and bitrate . The 1080p option is basically the default quality you'd expect for web videos, while 480p is where things start looking a bit fuzzy.

Yes, you can technically use PowerPoint to reduce MP4 file size without installing anything new. It's free, it's built-in, and it works about 60% of the time. But it's slow, clunky, and you'll be sitting there manually processing each video like it's 2005.

To reduce video size, the Microsoft Photos approach is your best bet among the built-in options. You don't have to manually set a resolution—just pick a quality preset and let it do its thing.

Windows actually has a built-in video editor that can export compressed videos . It's pre-installed on Windows 10 and available for free on Windows 11.

How to use it to reduce video size:

1. Open Microsoft Photos (look for "Photos Legacy" in the Start menu)

2. Click Video Editor at the top

3. Create a new project and add your video

4. Drag it to the storyboard

5. Click Finish video in the top-right

6. Choose a quality preset

The honest catch: While you don't need to change resolution manually, the quality presets (like "540p for smallest size") are basically lowering the resolution behind the scenes. The method you export with determines the file size—lower quality presets produce smaller files.

To reduce a video such as mp4 file size, you can trim or remove unnecessary parts from the videos.
Trimming a video is a simple way to reduce video size because it removes parts that are not needed, such as long intros, blank sections, pauses, mistakes, or extra footage at the end. Instead of lowering the whole video quality, this method reduces the length of the video, so the final file becomes smaller while the remaining part can keep its original clarity.

1. Open the video in a video editor such as Adobe Premiere Pro.
2. Find the parts of the video that are not needed.
3. Use the trim, cut, or split tool to remove unwanted sections.
4. Keep only the important part of the video.
5. Export the edited video as MP4 for better compatibility.
6. Choose a lower bitrate or compression preset if the file is still too large.
7. Save the new video and compare the file size with the original.

Trimming is useful when a video is too long or contains unnecessary parts. It does not require advanced settings and can reduce file size quickly without making the useful content look worse.

Adjust resolution and frame rate.

One of the most effective ways to reduce video size on a PC is by lowering the video's resolution and frame rate. Resolution determines how many pixels are displayed in each frame, while frame rate determines how many frames are shown per second. Higher values produce better visual quality but also create much larger files.

1. Open your video in a video editor.
2. Change the resolution in the “Dimensions” or “Video Settings” tab.
3. Reduce the frame rate to a lower, acceptable level.
4. Export or save the video.

For example, a 4K video (3840×2160) typically takes much more storage space than a 1080p video (1920×1080). Likewise, a 60 FPS video is often nearly twice as large as a similar video at 30 FPS. By reducing these settings, you can significantly reduce mp4 file size while maintaining acceptable quality for everyday viewing.

Use a more efficient codec.

Modern codecs like H.265/HEVC compress video better than older codecs like H.264 while maintaining similar quality.

How to reduce video file size for mp4

Step 1: Open the video in HandBrake or another encoder that supports H.265.

Step 2: Choose H.265 as the output codec.

Step 3: Adjust quality settings if needed (lowering the CRF value gives better quality).

Step 4: Encode the video.

Switching to a more efficient codec can reduce file size by 30–50% without noticeable quality loss, making it perfect for storage and online sharing.

While modern codecs such as H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 can greatly reduce video file size, they also come with some drawbacks:

1. Longer Encoding Time

More efficient codecs require more processing power to compress video. Encoding a video in H.265 or AV1 can take significantly longer than using H.264, especially on older PCs.

2. Higher Hardware Requirements

Playback of H.265 and AV1 videos may require newer CPUs or GPUs. Older computers and mobile devices can experience stuttering, lag, or excessive battery consumption when playing these formats.

3. Compatibility Issues

Some older TVs, media players, video editors, and operating systems may not fully support newer codecs. A video encoded in H.265 or AV1 might fail to play on certain devices without installing additional codecs.

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mxzt0ljc7fk?hl=en-US&gl=SE

I have no idea if this one is payed version or not, but you can try to find similar, Keywords:

"Video compressor"

Unlike other tools to reduce MP4 file size. FF mpeg doesn't come with an installer that puts a pretty icon on your desktop. If you're comfortable typing commands, FF mpeg is insanely powerful and totally free. Here's how to set it up:

1. Extract the ZIP file to a folder like C: \ff mpeg
2. Add it to your system PATH

A simple command to shrink a video:

bash

ff mpeg -i input,mp4 - vcodec libx 264 - crf 26 -preset medium output,mp4

What these numbers mean if you want to reduce MP4 file size:

-  crf 26: Quality setting (18-28 is the sweet spot—lower = better quality/ bigger file, higher = worse quality/ smaller file)

- preset medium: Speed vs size trade - off ("slow" gives smaller files, "fast" is quicker)

Even smaller file? Use H.265 instead:

bash

ff mpeg - i input,mp4 - c:v libx 265 - crf 28 - preset medium output_ h265,mp4

This can shrink files 25-50% more than H.264.

HandBrake is definitely the way to go if you want a free and easy way to reduce video size on your Windows PC. It's kind of the golden standard for this stuff.

It takes your huge MP4 file and re-packs it using modern, efficient codecs like H .265 (HEVC), which can literally cut your file size in half without making the video look like garbage.

Here’s how you actually do it. Just follow these steps and you'll reduce video size in no time.

Step 1: Grab the Software

Step 2: Load Your Video

Open HandBrake, then drag and drop your giant MP4 file right into the main window. Easy peasy.

Step 3: Pick the Magic Setting

Look at the right side of the screen for the "Presets" panel.

Find the "General" folder and click on "Fast 1080p30".

This setting is the "just make it work" button. It balances quality and file size perfectly so you don't have to fiddle with technical knobs.

Step 4: Hit "Start Encode"

Look at the top of the window for the green "Start Encode" button. Click it, grab a coffee, and let HandBrake do its thing.

HandBrake has a nice progress bar at the bottom, but it does take a bit to run. A 1.6 GB video might take about 20 minutes, depending on how fast your computer is.