Does Windows 11 Have a Built-in Video Editor?

The PHOTO app video editor is pretty useless and so is the ClipChamp app. ClipChamp had some potential but it is a little too basic and the big non-starter is that it will only export to HD. Even if you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber you are still limited to HD export! They want a monthly subscription fee just to export to 4K!! These days an HD video editor is basically just a toy. And this basic editor isn't worth a subscription fee, especially since we are ALREADY paying Microsoft a subscription fee for 365. At the minimum they should allow us to buy a PERPETUAL license for the ClipChamp Premium. But really, ClipChamp premium should already be included in the Microsoft 365 subscription package. I have been a loyal Windows user since the 80's and I feel like Microsoft is missing the mark on something they were doing better in the old days - Instead of providing good, bundled media editing apps with the OS and making them better and better all the time, they are offering to sell me a monthly lease to a mediocre editing app. Here's to wishing for the good ol days...but in 4k :-)

Blender is avaliable on the ms store, and has pretty good video editing capabilities. If your looking for an editor OWNED by Microsoft use clipchamp, although it isn't that good.

You’re looking for the Windows 11 built-in video editor? While the Photos app lets you do some basic stuff—like cutting clips and adding text—it’s super limited compared to dedicated editing software. You won't find fancy options like multi-track editing or advanced effects. 

If you're coming from software that allows precise control—like adjusting the color curves or adding special effects—Photos might feel like using a spoon to cut a steak. You want to tweak things to perfection, and the Photos app doesn’t give you that level of detail.

Once you finish editing and hit that save button, it creates a new video file without much flexibility in formats or quality settings. If you're used to exporting with different resolutions, frame rates, or file types, this could be a bummer.

If you liked Windows Movie Maker for its simplicity, consider these alternatives for video editing:

• Shotcut: A free, open-source video editor with advanced features.
• Filmora: A user-friendly tool similar to Movie Maker (free version with a watermark).
• Openshot: A lightweight, beginner-friendly video editor.

If you're nostalgic about the built-in video editor, older versions can sometimes be downloaded from unofficial sources, but they pose security risks and may not be compatible with Windows 11. Using the modern tools mentioned above is a safer and more effective option.

I recently tried to use the "Photos" app that comes with Windows 11 to edit videos on Windows 11, and found that it is actually better than I thought. Although the functions are not too powerful, it is enough for simple video editing. Here are the steps I used and some of my experiences:

1. Open the "Photos" app: First, I right-clicked the video file and selected "Open with" > "Photos".
2. Enter the editing interface: After opening it, click the "Edit icon" in the upper right corner (it looks like a pencil) to enter the editing mode.
3. Cut the video: I use it to crop the video, select the part I want to keep, and delete the rest directly. The operation is intuitive, and it can be completed by dragging the start and end points on the timeline.
4. Add text and effects: I also tried to add some simple text, and the effect is also quite good. You can choose different fonts and animations, and you can also adjust the time when the text appears.
5. Save the video: After editing, just click Save, and the software will automatically save it as a new video file.

Of course, there are some limitations, such as it does not support multi-track editing, and you can't adjust details like professional video editor software. And the selection of video effects is also very limited, only some simple transitions and filters can be made, which cannot meet more creative needs. If you want to do more complex editing (like color grading, adding special effects, cutting multiple video clips), it becomes a bit overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, Windows Movie Maker is no longer available on Windows 11. Microsoft officially discontinued Windows Movie Maker in 2017 and replaced it with more modern video editor alternatives. However, you have a couple of options for video editing on Windows 11.

Windows 11 includes Clipchamp, a user-friendly video editor that comes pre-installed. It offers features like: Trimming, splitting, and merging video clips, adding text, filters, transitions, and background music.
exporting videos in HD resolutions.

Microsoft Photos Legacy App. For basic video editing tasks, the legacy Microsoft Photos app also includes a video editor. You can trim, add text, and combine video clips directly from the Photos app.

Yes, Windows 11 has a built-in video editor called Clipchamp, which is pre-installed in the operating system. Clipchamp is a user-friendly tool that allows you to:

1. Trim, crop, and split videos for basic editing.
2. Add text, titles, and captions to your videos.
3. Apply transitions and filters to enhance visuals.
4. Add audio and music to your projects.
5. Export videos in different resolutions, including HD.

Clipchamp is suitable for casual users and light video editing tasks. However, if you require advanced features like multi-camera editing, motion tracking, or 3D effects, you may need a more professional video editing tool.

For a fresh video editing experience on Windows 11, I’d say give Clipchamp a shot first since it’s friendly and integrated right into your OS. But if you’re looking to mess around with more advanced editing, check out OpenShot. Just remember, with all these tools, it may take a little experimentation to see what fits your style best.

As a best video editor tool, Clipchamp is primarily an online tool, which means you don’t need to download heavy software to your PC. This can save space and make it accessible from different devices. It offers a variety of templates that are great for quick projects. Plus, there’s a library of stock videos, images, and sound effects you can use.

OpenShot is a super easy-to-use, open-source video editor that runs smoothly on Windows 11. It's perfect for beginners, offering a drag-and-drop interface. This was actually one of my first video editing tools! I loved how straightforward it was, making assembling clips, adding music, and applying basic effects really simple.

Choosing an editor with poor support can be a headache when issues pop up. When I ran into problems with an editor once, I was left hanging for days without any help. Major buzzkill! Look for software that has an active support community or good customer service. Research if they provide updates regularly too. 

If you plan to work with others and you are looking for a best video editor software, skipping software that allows collaboration can limit your flexibility. I tried to work on a group project with a software that didn’t support easy sharing, and boy, that was a nightmare. Consider options that integrate well with cloud services like OneDrive. Clipchamp has some features that make sharing projects easier among team members.