Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 6
    Windows Guides
    Beginner
    5 min read 6 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

    Edit Videos for Free with Clipchamp on Windows

    Use Clipchamp — Microsoft's free built-in video editor on Windows 11 — to trim clips, add music, and export polished videos.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Windows Guides
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    5 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    Clipchamp
    video editing
    Windows
    free
    beginner

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Open Clipchamp from the Start menu
    2. 2.Start a new project and import your videos
    3. 3.Add clips to the timeline and trim them
    4. 4.Add background music
    5. 5.Insert a text title overlay
    6. 6.Export your finished video
    1

    Open Clipchamp from the Start menu

    ~28s
    Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. In the search box, type Clipchamp and press Enter. Click on the Clipchamp app to open it. If this is your first time opening it, you may be asked to sign in with your Microsoft account — use the same account you use for Windows.

    Quick Tip

    After opening Clipchamp for the first time, right-click its icon in the taskbar and choose Pin to taskbar so you can open it quickly next time.

    2

    Start a new project and import your videos

    ~21s
    On the Clipchamp home screen, click Create a new video. A new project will open with an empty timeline at the bottom. Click the Import media button (or drag and drop files from File Explorer) to bring your video clips or photos into the project. Your imported files appear in the media panel on the left side of the screen.
    3

    Add clips to the timeline and trim them

    ~33s
    Drag a video clip from the left media panel down to the timeline at the bottom of the screen. You will see it appear as a colored bar. To trim the beginning or end of a clip, click on it in the timeline to select it, then drag the left or right edge inward to shorten it. The preview window shows you exactly what the clip will look like at any point. To split a clip into two pieces, position the playhead (the vertical line) where you want to cut, then press the S key or click the Split button.
    4

    Add background music

    ~36s
    Click the Music icon in the left panel (it looks like a musical note). You can browse Clipchamp's free built-in music library by mood or genre, or click Import media to use your own MP3 file. Drag the music track down to the timeline. It will appear on a separate row below your video clips. Drag the right edge of the music bar to shorten it to match your video length. Click on the music in the timeline and use the volume slider to adjust how loud the music is.

    Quick Tip

    A music volume around 30-40% usually works well so the audio from your video clips is still clearly audible over the background music.

    5

    Insert a text title overlay

    ~28s
    Click the Text icon in the left panel (a T symbol). Browse the text styles and drag one onto the timeline, positioning it at the beginning of your video. A text box will appear in the preview window. Click on the text box and type your title — for example, "Summer Vacation 2026." Use the toolbar at the top to change the font, size, and color of the text. Drag the ends of the text bar in the timeline to control how long the title is visible.
    6

    Export your finished video

    ~35s
    When you are happy with your edit, click the Export button in the top-right corner. Choose 1080p (this is free and produces a high-quality video). Clipchamp will process and export your video — this may take a few minutes depending on how long the video is. When finished, it saves automatically to your Videos folder on your computer. You can then share it by email, upload it to YouTube, or save it to a USB drive.

    Warning

    Exporting can take several minutes for longer videos. Keep Clipchamp open during this process — closing the app before the export finishes will cancel it and you will need to start the export again.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: Edit Videos for Free with Clipchamp on Windows

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    Clipchamp is a free video editor that comes built into Windows 11. You do not need to download anything extra or pay for a subscription to use the core features. Microsoft added Clipchamp to Windows 11 in 2022 after acquiring the company. It is designed for people who want to create and edit videos without needing professional video production experience.

    Clipchamp handles the most common video editing tasks: cutting unwanted sections from a clip, combining multiple video clips into one, adding a music track, inserting text or title cards, adjusting the volume, and exporting the finished video in high definition. The interface uses a timeline at the bottom of the screen — that is the strip where you see all your clips laid out in order — and a preview window in the center where you can watch your edit as you work.

    Common uses for Clipchamp include turning a collection of family vacation clips into a short keepsake video, creating a simple YouTube video to share a skill or hobby, making a slideshow of photos set to music, or editing a recording from a birthday party. Even short, simple edits — like trimming the first ten seconds off a clip or adding a title card at the beginning — can make a big difference in how a video looks and feels when you share it.

    One important note: Clipchamp exports at 1080p (high definition) for free with no watermark added to your video. Some other free video editors add a watermark (a logo or text burned into the video). Clipchamp does not do this. It is a genuinely free tool for personal use.

    You will need a Microsoft account to use Clipchamp. If you are signed into Windows with a Microsoft account, you are already set.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    Clipchamp
    video editing
    Windows
    free
    beginner

    Official Resources

    Microsoft SupportHow-To Geek — WindowsGCFGlobal — Windows Basics

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Set Up and Use Outlook for Email and Calendar

    Next →

    How to Take Screenshots and Record Your Screen with Snipping Tool

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Turn Your PC On and Off

    Learn the proper way to start up and shut down your Windows PC to keep it running smoothly.

    1 min read

    How to Connect to Wi-Fi on Windows

    Get your Windows PC online by connecting to a wireless network in just a few clicks.

    1 min read

    How to Open and Close Programs on Windows

    Master the basics of launching and closing applications on your Windows PC.

    1 min read