The best free video compression software for Windows 11?

VL C is a very good choice, especially for Windows 11 systems. Most people just use it as a media player, but it has a hidden trick: it can re-encode and compress your video files.

The basic idea of using it as a video compression software is that you don't "compress" the files directly like you do with a ZIP archive. Instead, you reduce the quality settings or use more efficient codecs to convert the files, thereby reducing their size. You can freely adjust the encoding parameters, and the main way to make the files smaller is to lower the video bit rate or resolution, or even use more advanced codecs, such as H.265 (HEVC).

Part 1. Open the conversion tool

Part 2. Add your video

Part 3. Select a profile

Part 4. Adjust the settings

Part 5. Choose a destination

Part 6. Start the process

Using VL C as a video compression software is a great, free way to shrink video files without spending a dime, and it's perfect for those times when you don't want to install a dedicated tool.