How to Use Clipchamp to Edit Videos in Windows 11

For years, Windows users relied on the rudimentary Windows Movie Maker or third-party software for basic video editing. With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new built-in solution: Clipchamp.

Clipchamp is a versatile, timeline-based video editor that operates as a Progressive Web App (PWA) deeply integrated into the Windows 11 operating system. It is designed for casual users, content creators, and professionals who need to quickly trim, merge, and export video content without the steep learning curve of professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro.

How to Access Clipchamp

Clipchamp is pre-installed on modern versions of Windows 11.

1. Click the Start button (Windows icon).
2. Type Clipchamp in the search bar.
3. Click the app icon to launch it. If you cannot find it, you can download it for free directly from the Microsoft Store.
4. On first launch, you will be prompted to sign in. You can use your personal Microsoft Account, a Google account, or an email address.

Getting Started: The Interface

When you open Clipchamp, you are greeted by the dashboard. Here you can start a new project from scratch or choose from a variety of templates designed for YouTube, Instagram Reels, and TikTok.

Click Create a new video to enter the main editing workspace. The interface is divided into three primary sections:

• The Sidebar (Left): This is where you import your raw media, access stock footage, add text/titles, and select transitions.
• The Preview Window (Top Right): This displays the current state of your video as you edit.
• The Timeline (Bottom): This is where the actual editing happens. You drag and drop video clips, audio tracks, and text blocks here to arrange them chronologically.

Basic Video Editing Tasks

Importing Media

1. In the left sidebar, click Your media.
2. Click the large + Import media button.
3. Select the video, image, and audio files from your computer. You can also import directly from OneDrive, Google Drive, or your phone via a QR code.
4. Once imported, drag the files from the sidebar down onto the Timeline.

Trimming and Cutting Clips

If you have a long recording and need to remove dead space at the beginning or end:

1. Click the clip on the timeline so it is highlighted in green.
2. Hover your mouse over the left or right edge of the clip until a double-sided arrow appears.
3. Click and drag the edge inward to trim the footage.

If you need to cut out a section from the middle of a clip (splitting):

1. Click the clip on the timeline.
2. Drag the vertical white playhead (the line that indicates current playback position) to the exact moment you want to make a cut.
3. Click the Split icon (it looks like a pair of scissors) located just above the timeline, or press the S key on your keyboard.
4. This cuts the clip into two separate pieces. You can now delete one piece or insert a transition between them.

Adding Transitions

To avoid jarring jump cuts between two separate video clips, you can add a transition.

1. Click the Transitions tab in the left sidebar.
2. Find a transition you like (e.g., Cross fade, Spin, or Wipe). Hovering over an option previews the effect.
3. Drag the transition down to the timeline and drop it exactly between two adjoining video clips.

Adding Text and Titles

1. Click the Text tab in the left sidebar.
2. Drag a text style (like a lower third or a cinematic title) onto the timeline, placing it on the row above your video track so it overlays the footage.
3. Click the text block on the timeline. A properties panel will open on the right side of the screen where you can edit the actual words, change the font, and adjust colours.

Exporting Your Video

Once your editing is complete, you need to export the project into a standard video file (usually an MP4) that you can share or upload.

1. Click the purple Export button in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Select your desired video quality. For most social media and general use, 1080p (HD) is the standard. Note that 4K export is restricted to paid premium accounts.
3. Clipchamp will render the video. Do not close the app during this process.
4. Once finished, the video will automatically download to your computer’s default Downloads folder.

While Clipchamp offers paid subscriptions for premium stock footage and brand kits, the free tier includes all the essential tools, unlimited 1080p watermark-free exports, and auto-captioning, making it more than capable for everyday video editing on Windows 11.