How to Edit Videos with Clipchamp in Windows 11

Clipchamp is the built-in video editor in Windows 11, designed to make video creation accessible for both beginners and experienced users. This guide provides a direct, step-by-step walkthrough on how to start a new video project, import media, trim footage on the timeline, and export your finished video to your computer.

Step 1: Create a New Project

1. Open the Start Menu in Windows 11, search for Clipchamp, and launch the app.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
3. Click the Create a new video button in the top-right corner of the home screen to open the video editor interface.
4. (Optional) Set your aspect ratio in the top-right corner of the preview player (e.g., 16:9 for widescreen or 9:16 for vertical video).

Step 2: Import Media to the Timeline

1. Click the Import media button in the top-left sidebar.
2. Select your video, audio, and image files from your computer and click Open.
3. Once the files appear in the “Your media” tab, drag and drop them directly onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Trim and Cut Video Clips

Clipchamp offers two primary ways to edit footage on the timeline:

• Trimming the Start or End: Click on the video clip in the timeline so it is highlighted with a green border. Hover your cursor over the left or right edge of the clip until a double-sided arrow appears, then click and drag inward to trim off unwanted sections.
• Splitting a Clip: Move the white vertical playhead line to the exact timestamp where you want to make a cut. Click the Scissors icon (Split) above the timeline or press S on your keyboard. Select the newly separated, unwanted segment and press the Delete key to remove it.

Step 4: Export the Video Project

1. Once your edits are complete, click the purple Export button located in the top-right corner of the window.
2. Choose your preferred video resolution:
   • 480p: Best for quick drafts and small file sizes.
   • 720p: Suitable for basic web sharing.
   • 1080p (HD): Recommended for YouTube, social media, and high-quality presentations.
   • 4K (UHD): Available for paid plans or 4K source footage.
3. Clipchamp will render your video. Once processing is complete, the file will automatically download to your computer’s Downloads folder, or you can choose to save it directly to cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google Drive.