How To Merge Videos On Windows 10

Shot a birthday party on your phone, a screen recording on your laptop, and a goofy clip from your webcam,
and now you want one smooth video instead of a dozen random files? Good news: you don’t
need to be a Hollywood editor (or buy pricey software) to merge videos on Windows 10.

Windows 10 gives you a few surprisingly powerful free options to combine clips, add simple trims, and export
a share-ready video. If you need more control, there are also excellent free editors and online tools that
still keep things beginner-friendly.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to merge videos on Windows 10 using:

• The built-in Photos/Video Editor app
• Microsoft Clipchamp (free video editor from Microsoft)
• VLC Media Player for almost any format
• Free desktop editors like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve
• Online video mergers for quick, one-off projects

We’ll also cover how to avoid common problems like weird black bars, choppy playback, or huge file sizes.

Before You Start: A Few Things to Know About Merging Videos

Before you dive into any app, it helps to understand what’s happening behind the scenes when you
combine video clips:

• Video format and codec: If all your clips are MP4/H.264, life is easy. When formats
  differ (say, MOV, AVI, and MP4) your editor may need to re-encode them, which can take longer.
• Resolution and aspect ratio: A 4K 16:9 clip mixed with a vertical 9:16 phone clip may
  show black bars or cropping. You can usually choose whether to keep a landscape or portrait layout and
  let the editor pad or crop the odd-shaped ones.
• Frame rate: Merging 24 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps clips is possible, but if the final export
  looks jittery, try converting clips or exporting everything at one frame rate (30 fps is a safe default).
• Audio levels: Different clips often have different loudness. Most editors let you adjust
  volume per clip so viewers aren’t blasted by one scene and whispering in the next.

Once you’ve checked these basics, you’re ready to choose the tool that fits your comfort level and project size.

Method 1: Use the Built-In Photos / Video Editor App (Totally Free)

If you want something simple and already installed, start with the
Photos app’s built-in Video Editor (sometimes called Photos Legacy or just
Video Editor on Windows 10). It’s not flashy, but it’s perfect for basic merges.

Step-by-step: Merge videos with Photos / Video Editor

1. Open the Video Editor. In the Start menu search bar, type
   Video Editor or Photos. Open the Photos app and look for
   Video Editor or New video project.
2. Create a new project. Click New video project, give it a name (or accept the
   default), and you’ll see a project window with a Project library and a
   Storyboard at the bottom.
3. Add your clips. Click Add > From this PC and select all the videos you want
   to merge. They’ll appear in the project library.
4. Drop clips onto the storyboard. Drag each clip down to the storyboard in the order you
   want them to play. You can rearrange clips any time just by dragging them left or right.
5. Trim or split if needed. Select a clip and use Trim to remove unwanted ends, or
   Split to cut a long clip into smaller pieces. This is optional, but it’s an easy way to clean up
   the final video.
6. Add optional extras. You can:
   • Add text overlays
   • Drop in background music or built-in soundtracks
   • Apply simple filters or motion effects

   None of this is required just to merge, but it’s nice to know it’s there.

7. Export your merged video. When you’re done, click Finish video, pick a quality
   setting (1080p is usually ideal), and hit Export. Choose where to save your new, combined video.

For most home projects, this built-in editor is more than enough: it’s free, safe, and doesn’t add watermarks.

Method 2: Merge Clips with Microsoft Clipchamp

Clipchamp is Microsoft’s newer, more powerful video editor that runs inside a browser-like
interface and ships with current Windows 10 and Windows 11 builds. It’s still beginner-friendly but offers a
proper timeline, transitions, and effects.

How to merge videos using Clipchamp

1. Launch Clipchamp. Search the Start menu for Clipchamp. If it’s not installed,
   you can get it free from the Microsoft Store.
2. Start a new video. Click Create a new video, choose a blank project, and you’ll
   see a timeline along the bottom.
3. Import your media. Click Import media and add the video clips from your PC or
   OneDrive. You can also pull in stock clips and audio from Clipchamp’s built-in library.
4. Drag clips onto the timeline. Place videos back-to-back in the order you want. You’ll
   see them snap together so there are no gaps.
5. Trim and arrange. Drag the edges of each clip to trim, or move clips around until the
   story flows the way you want.
6. Add transitions and effects. Use the Transitions tab to drop crossfades or other
   effects between clips, and add titles, overlays, or background music if you like.
7. Export your merged video. Click Export, choose a resolution (again, 1080p is a
   safe choice for most projects), and let Clipchamp render your combined video.

Clipchamp is great when you want more control than the Photos editor but still want a clean, guided
workflow. For social media clips, simple YouTube videos, and school projects, it’s more than enough.

Method 3: Merge Videos with VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source player that also has some basic conversion and
merging abilities. It’s handy when you’re dealing with unusual formats that simpler editors won’t open.

Basic way to merge videos in VLC

1. Install and open VLC. If you don’t have it yet, download VLC from the official site and
   install it, then launch the app.
2. Open multiple files. In the menu bar, click Media > Open Multiple Files….
3. Add your clips. In the File tab, click + Add and choose all the
   videos you want to merge. The order here matters, so add them in the sequence you want, or rearrange if the
   dialog allows it.
4. Choose Convert/Save. Click the dropdown next to Play and choose
   Convert. This tells VLC to process and write a new file instead of just playing the clips.
5. Select output format. Pick a profile like Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4), then click
   Browse to choose a destination and filename for your merged video.
6. Start the merge. Click Start and let VLC process the files. When it’s done, your
   merged video will appear where you saved it.

VLC is powerful but not always the most user-friendly for merging, and some people run into issues when
clips don’t share the same format. If VLC feels too fiddly, consider one of the simpler graphical editors
instead.

Method 4: Use a Free Desktop Video Editor (More Control)

If you find yourself editing videos regularly, you may want to step up to a full editor. The good news:
there are excellent free video editors for Windows 10 that can merge clips and do a lot
more without adding watermarks.

Popular free editors include:

• Shotcut – open source, cross-platform, very capable once you learn the interface.
• OpenShot – another open-source option with a simpler timeline.
• DaVinci Resolve – professional-grade editor with advanced color and audio tools, but it
  needs a powerful PC.
• CapCut for PC – designed with social media in mind, easy to use with templates.

Typical steps to merge videos with a desktop editor

1. Install your chosen editor and launch it.
2. Create a new project and set the resolution (1080p, 30 fps is a good starting point).
3. Import your clips into the media bin.
4. Drag clips down to the timeline in the order you want.
5. Trim, split, or rearrange as needed; add transitions if you like.
6. Export or render the project to an MP4 file.

This approach takes a bit more learning, but once you’re comfortable, you get more precise control over
audio, color, and effects – ideal if you’re building a YouTube channel or editing longer videos.

Method 5: Quick Online Video Mergers

If you only merge videos occasionally and don’t want to install anything, online tools can be convenient.
Many browser-based editors let you drag in a few clips, arrange them on a timeline, and export a combined
videoall inside your web browser.

You’ll see features like:

• Drag-and-drop upload from your PC or cloud storage
• Simple timelines with trimming and transitions
• Stock music and text overlays

However, watch out for a few trade-offs:

• Free tiers may limit video length or resolution.
• Some tools add watermarks unless you upgrade.
• Upload and export times depend on your internet speed.

For quick social-media compilations and short clips, online mergers are great. For large 4K files or
sensitive content, a local app on Windows 10 is safer.

How to Choose the Best Method for Your Situation

Not sure which option to pick? Use this quick guide:

• “I just want to quickly glue a few clips together.”
  Use the built-in Photos/Video Editor. It’s already on your PC and easy to use.
• “I want nice titles, music, and transitions, but I’m still a beginner.”
  Try Clipchamp or a beginner-friendly editor like CapCut or OpenShot.
• “I edit regularly and want pro-level control.”
  Look at DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut for more advanced features.
• “I’m on a borrowed computer and can’t install anything.”
  Use a browser-based editor. Just remember the upload time and possible watermarks.
• “My files are weird formats nothing else will open.”
  Try VLC to convert and merge, or re-encode clips into MP4 first, then use a simpler
  editor.

Troubleshooting Common Problems When Merging Videos on Windows 10

1. The exported video is huge

Big file size usually means a high bitrate, 4K resolution, or very long duration. To shrink it:

• Export at 1080p instead of 4K if you don’t absolutely need 4K.
• Choose a “balanced” or “smaller file” export preset if available.
• Trim off unused intro/outro footage.

2. Audio is out of sync

When clips use different frame rates or variable frame rate (common with phones), audio can drift after
merging. Try:

• Converting each clip to a constant frame rate (e.g., 30 fps) before editing.
• Using a more robust editor like Clipchamp, Shotcut, or DaVinci Resolve, which handles sync better.

3. There are black bars on the sides

Mixing vertical and horizontal videos will often produce black bars. To reduce them:

• Decide whether your final video should be vertical (for TikTok/Reels/Shorts) or
  horizontal (for YouTube, TV).
• Set the project’s aspect ratio accordingly in your editor.
• Zoom or crop certain clips to fill the frame, understanding you might cut off some edges.

4. My PC feels slow or freezes

Video editing is heavy work. To make things smoother:

• Close other apps while editing and exporting.
• Use 1080p instead of 4K, especially on older hardware.
• In advanced editors, look for “proxy” or “optimized media” options to create lighter preview files.

Real-World Experiences Merging Videos on Windows 10

If you’ve ever thought “this should be easy” and then spent an hour trying to figure out why your video is
sideways, you’re not alone. Merging videos on Windows 10 is straightforward once you know the right tool and
a few tricksbut most of us learn them the hard way.

One common story goes like this: you’re asked to put together a quick video for a birthday, retirement party,
or school project. Everyone sends their clips from different phones and cameras. Half the videos are
vertical, some are horizontal, one was filmed in 4K “because it looks better,” and one is mysteriously in
slow motion. You open the folder, stare at the chaos, and briefly consider moving to the woods with no Wi-Fi.

This is where the built-in Windows tools really shine. In many cases, opening the Video Editor from the
Photos app and just dragging everything into the storyboard is enough to tame the mess. People are often
surprised by how quickly they can go from “random clips” to a single coherent video with simple title cards
and background music. For family projects, you rarely need more than that.

The next level of experience usually happens when you realize you want more polish. Maybe the music cuts off
awkwardly when the video ends, or you want smooth crossfades between clips instead of hard cuts. That’s when
tools like Clipchamp or Shotcut become your best friends. After a little practice, you start thinking in
terms of timelines, transitions, and overlays instead of “help, my files won’t line up.”

A lot of Windows 10 users also discover the importance of planning ahead. Once you’ve merged a few complicated
projects, you start to film differently:

• You keep your phone horizontal if you know the final video will be played on a TV or laptop.
• You try to stick to similar lighting and angles to make cuts less jarring.
• You record a few seconds before and after each moment so trimming is easier.

Another real-life lesson: exporting takes time, and it almost always takes longer than you expect the first
few times. Many people find this out the hard way when they hit “Finish video” 10 minutes before a deadline
and then watch the progress bar crawl across the screen. After that, you get into the habit of exporting a
test version early, just to make sure everything works and you’re not stuck re-rendering a giant 4K file
right before you need it.

Over time, merging videos on Windows 10 starts to feel less like “technical work” and more like a creative
steplike putting together the pieces of a story. Instead of thinking “how do I join these files,” you start
asking “what’s the best order for these clips?” and “where should the music kick in?” The tools don’t change
much, but the way you use them does.

The big takeaway from real-world experience is this: you don’t need to be a professional editor to create a
clean, merged video on Windows 10. Start simple with the built-in Photos Video Editor, move up to Clipchamp
or Shotcut if you want extra control, and don’t stress about perfection. Viewers care much more about the
story and moments you captured than whether your transition is technically flawless.

Conclusion: Merging Videos on Windows 10 Is Easier Than It Looks

On Windows 10, you have everything from a basic one-click storyboard editor to full-blown professional
softwareall free or low-cost. For quick merges, the Photos/Video Editor app and Clipchamp are usually
enough. When you need extra features or advanced control, you can step up to desktop editors like Shotcut or
DaVinci Resolve, or use online video mergers for simple, occasional projects.

The key is to pick the method that matches your project and your patience. Start with the simplest option,
build confidence, and only move to more complex tools when you actually need them. Once you’ve merged a few
videos, the process will feel familiarand you’ll spend more time telling your story and less time fighting
with your software.