This post explains how to trim a screen recording to eliminate unnecessary parts at the beginning or end of the video. Simply add or open the recording in the video editing software, drag the trim handles to set the start and end points of the desired clip, and save the result.
Screen recording is the easiest way to create video tutorials or share your screen information with others. Creating a professional screen recording requires editing; trimming is the most commonly used tool. You need to trim a screen recording to remove unnecessary silences, pauses, and extra parts at the beginning or end of the video.
However, many screen recording apps don’t have any editing features. Therefore, you need a video trimmer to trim and enhance your screen recording.
How to Trim a Screen Recording on Windows
Fast Track Steps:
- Open the desired video trimmer.
- Add the target screen recording.
- Drag the handles to trim the video.
- Save the trimmed screen recording.
You can easily trim screen recordings using Windows’ built-in tools or free third-party video editing software to further enhance your video. This section explains how to trim a screen recording using MiniTool MovieMaker, Microsoft Photos, and the Windows 11 Snipping Tool.
| Tool | MiniTool MovieMaker | MicrosoftPhotos | Windows 11 Snipping Tool |
| Primary purpose | Video editing and creation | Photo viewing and basic video trimming | Screenshots and screen recording |
| Trim the beginning or end | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remove a section from the middle | Yes, using split and delete | Not directly supported by basic trimming | Requires another editing tool |
| Export format options | MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and WEBM | MP4 | MP4 |
| Best use case | Detailed editing and video enhancement | Quick trimming of unwanted footage | Quickly trim a video captured by the Snipping Tool |
Method 1: Use MiniTool MovieMaker
MiniTool MovieMaker is an easy-to-use and feature-rich video editor designed for everyone to make video from images, video clips, and music. To help create stunning videos, this software offers all the necessary tools and trendy effects. For instance, you can use it to trim, split, and crop videos.
If you need to trim and edit screen recordings on a Windows PC, MiniTool MovieMaker is worth trying. It’s a watermark-free video editor, so you don’t have to worry about your screen recordings getting watermarked after editing. Here’s how to trim a screen recording using the software.
MiniTool MovieMaker-
Split and trim videos to remove redundance. - Change video aspect ratio to match screen sizes.
- Add bubble texts, bgm, transitions, and more effects.
- Create PiP or split-screen videos by multitrack editing.
1. Download the video trimmer
Download and install the video editing software on the PC.
2. Import the target screen recording
Once the installation is complete, launch this tool and close the promotion window to access the main user interface. Next, click the Import Media Files button to browse for your screen recording and import it. Alternatively, drag and drop the video from your desktop into the application.
3. Trim the screen recording
Click the + icon on the video clip or directly drag and drop it into the video track on the timeline. Then, hover over the clip’s start or end point, and the Trim icon appears. Drag the icon inwards to remove unwanted parts of the clip.
4. Delete unwanted part in the middle
To remove unwanted parts like a frozen screen in the middle, use the Split tool to separate that part and delete it. Drag the playhead to the start point of the clip you want to delete, and click the Split icon to split the video into two clips. Then, hover over the second clip’s start point and trim the unwanted parts.
5. Export the video
To export the edited screen recording, click Export in the upper right corner to open the output settings window. By default, MP4 is the output format. You can change it by clicking the Format menu. Additionally, you can select the output folder, resolution, and frame rate, or click Settings for more options. Finally, click Export to save the edited screen recording.
Other features of MiniTool MovieMaker:
- Speed up or slow down videos and reverse videos.
- Change the aspect ratio of your video project.
- Rotate and flip videos.
- Add title, captions, and end credits to the video.
- Add a transition between two video/image clips.
- …
Trimming is intuitive. You drag the left or right edge of your clip in the timeline to shorten it, or you can use the Split tool to cut it at the cursor location. There’s no chance of having empty space in your video, since the clips always snap together after you make a trim.https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/minitool-moviemaker
Method 2: Use Microsoft Photos
If you only need to trim a screen recording without extra edits, thenPhotos is a great choice. While it is primarily designed to view photos and videos, it offers a trimming tool that lets you trim a video quickly without installing software.
Here is how to trim a screen recording using the Photos app on Windows 10/11.
1. Open the video in Photos
Right-click the screen recording file, choose Open with, and select Photos from the list of available apps.
2. Trim the screen recording
In the top-left corner of the Photos app, click the Trim button.
Then, drag the handles at either end of the slider at the bottom to set the desired start and end points.
3. Save the trimmed video
Click Save as to save the edited video to your PC. Depending on the file size, video quality, and resolution, it may take a while for Photos to process and save the trimmed clip.
The video trimming capability is basic but functional: You set an in point and an out point, and that's pretty much it.https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-photos
Method 3: Use Windows 11 Snipping Tool
If you record the screen on Windows 11 using the Snipping Tool, you can directly trim the video inside the application after stopping the recording. There is no need to switch to another tool to remove unwanted parts at the beginning and end of the video.
Here is how to trim a screen recording in Snipping Tool on Windows 11:
1. Enable the trimming tool
Once the recording ends, the video will appear in the Snipping Tool window. Click the Video Trim icon at the top of the window to view the video on the timeline.
2. Trim the screen recording
Drag the sliders at the bottom of the interface to specify the exact starting and ending points you want for your video, and click Apply to save the changes.
3. Save the recording
The video will be automatically saved to the Screen Recording folder in Videos.
The Snipping Tool is one of the primary ways to take a screenshot in Windows 11, but it goes far beyond simple screen captures. For example, if you want to record your screen activity, the app helps you trim your videos into shorter clips and even create animated GIFs.https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/8-unexpected-things-the-windows-11-snipping-tool-can-do-that-arent-just
How to Trim a Screen Recording on Chromebook
If your computer runs Chrome OS, you can also screen record on your Chromebook with the built-in feature. To trim the recorded videos or make other edits, you can use OpenShot, Clipchamp, PowerDirector, WeVideo, and many more.
If your Chromebook runs Windows, you’ll have more options for recording your screen and editing your recordings. For example, you can trim your screen recording using MiniTool MovieMaker by following the instructions in the first part.
MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Conclusion
You can easily trim a recording to remove unwanted parts and make it better. Additionally, you can continue to edit the video by adding text, music, etc., to make your screen recording professional.
Finally, if you encounter problems using MiniTool MovieMaker, contact the support team at [email protected] for help.
People Also Ask
2. Click Edit in the upper-right corner.
3. Drag either end of the frame viewer below the video to select the portion of the video you want to keep, then click Done.
4. Next, click Save Video to save only the trimmed video, or select the Save Video as New Clip option to save both versions of the video.
1. Add the video to MiniTool MovieMaker.
2. Click the Crop icon on the timeline toolbar.
3. Drag the sides or corners of the cropping rectangle to choose the area you want.
4. Click OK to save changes.
5. Click Export to save the video.
2. On the main UI, click File > Import Media to import the recorded video and add it to the timeline.
3. Press and hold the R key and drag over the clip on the timeline to select the range of frames you want to save.
4. Control-click the video and select the Trim Section option. Then, save and export your video.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Cora is a tech writer specializing in digital media workflows, with over six years of hands-on experience in video post-production, media transcoding, and screen capture. Her writing is always clear and practical. Cora also produces in-depth software reviews for users across skill levels to help them find the right tool and enjoy video editing.
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