How to Trim MOV Files on Windows [Ultimate Guide]

MOV is a popular video format used by many devices (such as Apple devices and digital cameras) and video editing software to store videos due to its high quality. However, sometimes they can be too large or include parts you don’t want. Therefore, you need to remove unwanted footage to reduce its file size or create a polished video, thus taking up less storage and making it easier to upload. In this post, I’ll show you how to trim MOV files with 3 different methods, along with their advantages and disadvantages.

How to Trim MOV Files with MiniTool MovieMaker

MiniTool MovieMaker is a watermark-free video editor, perfect for beginners and casual creators who want to craft professional-quality videos with ease. Combining a user-friendly interface with essential editing tools, it’s ideal for home movies, vlogs, and social media content. Even first-time users can quickly start trimming, splitting, merging, and cropping clips with precision. So, if you want to trim MOV files, it’s a great choice.

Here’s how to trim a MOV file with MiniTool MovieMaker.

Step 1. Click the button below to download and install the MOV trimmer on your computer.

MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 2. Launch the software and click the New Project button to access the main interface.

Step 3. Click the Import Media Files button under the Media tab to import your MOV file. Then, click the + icon at the bottom of the clip to add it to the timeline.

Step 4. Select the clip on the timeline, and you can zoom in on the timeline to locate exactly where you want to trim. Hover your mouse over the beginning or end of the video until the Trim icon appears. Then, drag the Trim icon inward and release the mouse to cut out the unwanted portion.

Step 5. Preview the video. Once satisfied, click the Export button in the upper right corner to prepare for output. After confirming the save path, video format, resolution, frame rate, etc., click the Export button to initiate the rendering process.

Pros:

• Free 4K/1080P video exports with no watermarks.
• A simple and intuitive interface.
• Plenty of filters, transitions, effects, stickers, etc.
• Popular output formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, AVI, and WMV.

Cons:

• Only compatible with Windows.

How to Trim MOV Files with Microsoft Photos

The Photos app on Windows 10 included a Video Editor app that can perform some simple editing tasks. However, this app is no longer available on Windows 10 after an update. The good news is that the trimming feature is still available in Microsoft Photos. Therefore, you’re still able to trim MOV files with the Photos app.

Step 1. Open your MOV video in the Photos app and click the Trim button in the upper-left corner.

Step 2. On the next window, drag the handles at the bottom to choose the parts you want to save.

Step 3. Click Save as copy to open the Save As window, select the video format and output folder, and click Save to export the trimmed video.

Pros:

• No installation required.
• Support various formats to save videos.

Cons:

• No other editing functions except trimming videos.

How to Trim MOV Files with Microsoft Clipchamp

Clipchamp is now part of Windows and the built-in video editor in Windows 11, replacing the Video Editor in Windows 10 Photos and the legacy Windows Movie Maker. This application comes with a set of editing tools and various effects to empower content creators. How to trim MOV files with Microsoft Clipchamp? Here’s the guide.

Step 1. Open Microsoft Clipchamp and click the Create a new video button to enter the main UI.

Step 2. Add your MOV file by clicking the Import media button, then drag it to the timeline.

Step 3. To trim the video, first select it on the timeline, and it will appear highlighted in purple. Then, click and drag either end of the clip inward to eliminate unwanted parts.

Step 4. Click the Export button and choose a resolution to export your video.

Pros:

• The beginner-friendly interface makes the software easy to use.
• Rich video templates for easy customization.
• No watermarks on exported videos.

Cons:

• 4K export requires an upgrade.

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Conclusion

Now, I believe you will not be confused about how to trim MOV files. Choose the right tool based on your needs to adjust the length of your MOV footage.