How To Split And Cut Videos In Windows 10 (Not Trim)

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How To Split And Cut Videos In Windows 10 (Not Trim)

In today’s digital age, video content is an essential part of communication, entertainment, and education. As users, we often find ourselves needing to modify videos for various reasons. It could be to create shorter clips for social media, to remove unwanted sections from a video, or to create a compilation of different shots. While many users are familiar with trimming videos to shorten them or remove beginnings and endings, splitting and cutting videos offers a more precise and nuanced approach to video editing. This article will explore how to split and cut videos in Windows 10 without merely trimming them, using built-in tools and third-party software.

Understanding the Difference Between Splitting, Cutting, and Trimming

Before diving into the tools and methods for splitting and cutting videos, it’s important to understand the terminology:


  • Trimming

    : This is the act of cutting off parts of a video at the beginning or end. Trimming adjusts the duration of a video without making any alterations to the middle content.


  • Cutting

    : This refers to selectively removing content from anywhere within a video without affecting the overall duration unless removing large sections.


  • Splitting

    : This means dividing a video into smaller segments without necessarily removing any content. Splitting can create several clips from a longer video.


Trimming

: This is the act of cutting off parts of a video at the beginning or end. Trimming adjusts the duration of a video without making any alterations to the middle content.


Cutting

: This refers to selectively removing content from anywhere within a video without affecting the overall duration unless removing large sections.


Splitting

: This means dividing a video into smaller segments without necessarily removing any content. Splitting can create several clips from a longer video.

Tools Available in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes equipped with several built-in tools that can help you split and cut videos. These include:

Let’s delve into each tool to understand how to use them effectively to split and cut videos.

Using the Photos App

The Photos app in Windows 10 is a versatile tool not only for viewing images but also for basic video editing that includes splitting and cutting videos. Here’s how to do it:


Open the Photos App

: You can find it by searching for “Photos” in the Start menu.


Import Your Video

: Click on the “Video” tab or go to the “Folders” and locate where your video is stored. You can also drag and drop your video directly onto the Photos interface.


Select the Video

: Finding and double-clicking on your video will open it for playback.


Edit Video

: Click on the

Edit

button (represented usually as a pencil or marker) found in the upper right corner of the window.


Creating a New Video

: Select the “Create” dropdown and choose

“Custom video with music.”

This will lead you to a new editing interface.


Splitting the Video

: In this new scene, you have the option to

split.

Move the playhead to the point where you want to split the video. Right-click on the timeline at the desired location, and select

“Split.”


Cutting Sections

: If you want to cut segments from the split points, select the unwanted part of the video clip by clicking and dragging over it. Once highlighted, press the

Delete

key to remove it.


Save Your Edits

: After you’ve made the necessary edits, click on the

“Finish Video”

button. Choose your desired video quality and save your work.

Using Windows Movie Maker

While Windows Movie Maker was discontinued, many still use it for its simplicity and effectiveness. If you have previously installed it, here’s how to use it to split and cut videos:


Open Windows Movie Maker

: If you don’t have it, it can be downloaded from reputable sources, but caution is advised as it’s no longer maintained.


Import Your Video

: Use the

“Add videos and photos”

button to import your desired video.


Select the Video

: Your video will appear in the timeline at the bottom of the interface.


Splitting the Video

: Move the playhead to the position where you want to split. Click on the

Split

button in the toolbar. This will divide your video into two separate clips.


Cutting Sections

: You can now click on any unwanted clips in the timeline and press

Delete

to remove them.


Save Your Video

: After editing, use the

“Save Movie”

option to export your video. Choose the suitable format and quality, then save it to your desired location.

Third-Party Software for Video Editing

If you’re looking for more advanced options with greater control and functionality, several third-party software applications cater specifically to video editing. Here are a few recommended tools:

Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor that is powerful yet easy to use. Here’s how to split and cut videos using Shotcut:


  • Install Shotcut

    : Download and install Shotcut from its official website.


  • Open Your Video

    : Launch Shotcut, and use the

    “Open File”

    option to select your video.


  • Place Video on Timeline

    : Drag your video onto the timeline panel at the bottom.


  • Splitting the Video

    : Move the playhead to your desired split point and press

    S

    on your keyboard. This will create a split at that position.


  • Cutting Content

    : Select the segment you wish to cut. Right-click on the selected segment and choose

    “Remove”

    or simply press the Delete key.


  • Exporting the Edited Video

    : Click on the

    Export

    button, choose your format and quality settings, then save the final product.


Install Shotcut

: Download and install Shotcut from its official website.


Open Your Video

: Launch Shotcut, and use the

“Open File”

option to select your video.


Place Video on Timeline

: Drag your video onto the timeline panel at the bottom.


Splitting the Video

: Move the playhead to your desired split point and press

S

on your keyboard. This will create a split at that position.


Cutting Content

: Select the segment you wish to cut. Right-click on the selected segment and choose

“Remove”

or simply press the Delete key.


Exporting the Edited Video

: Click on the

Export

button, choose your format and quality settings, then save the final product.

DaVinci Resolve is another highly-regarded video editing software. Offering a free version with professional-grade features, it stands out for more complex editing tasks. Here’s how to split and cut videos in DaVinci Resolve:


  • Download and Install

    : Get DaVinci Resolve from the official Blackmagic Design website.


  • Start a New Project

    : Open the application and create a new project by clicking on

    New Project.


  • Import Video

    : Drag your video files into the Media Pool.


  • Edit on the Timeline

    : Drag the video onto the editing timeline.


  • Splitting the Video

    : Move the playhead to the precise split point and press

    Ctrl +

    (or Command + on Mac). This will create a split.


  • Cutting Segments

    : Click on the unwanted segment and press

    Delete

    .


  • Finalizing Edits

    : Hit the

    Deliver

    tab to export your edited video. Choose your preferred file format and quality, then render your project.


Download and Install

: Get DaVinci Resolve from the official Blackmagic Design website.


Start a New Project

: Open the application and create a new project by clicking on

New Project.


Import Video

: Drag your video files into the Media Pool.


Edit on the Timeline

: Drag the video onto the editing timeline.


Splitting the Video

: Move the playhead to the precise split point and press

Ctrl +

(or Command + on Mac). This will create a split.


Cutting Segments

: Click on the unwanted segment and press

Delete

.


Finalizing Edits

: Hit the

Deliver

tab to export your edited video. Choose your preferred file format and quality, then render your project.

Avidemux is a free, straightforward video editing tool for cutting, filtering, and encoding tasks. Here’s how to work with it:


Download Avidemux

: Install Avidemux from its official site.


Open Your Video

: Start Avidemux and load your video using

File > Open.


Splitting the Video

: Move the slider bar to the desired starting point, and use the

A

button to mark the beginning. Then move the slider to the end point and click the

B

button.


Cut the Selected Part

: Now, simply go to

Edit > Delete

to remove the specified segment.


Save Your Changes

: Finally, use the

File > Save

option to save your edited video, ensuring to choose the correct format.

Conclusion

Splitting and cutting videos in Windows 10 doesn’t have to be a convoluted process. With tools like the built-in Photos app, Windows Movie Maker (if you have it), and third-party software like Shotcut, DaVinci Resolve, or Avidemux, anyone can perform effective video edits.

Each method has its strengths, so it’s crucial to choose one based on your editing style and the complexity of the task at hand. Whether it’s a simple cut or a more elaborate split, the right tools are at your fingertips in Windows 10. Embrace the potential of video editing to share stories, create engaging content, and enhance your digital communication. Happy editing!

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