What You Need to Start Making Videos

You can make videos on your computer using software that is already installed, or by downloading free or paid programs. The simplest route is to use built-in tools: Windows comes with the Photos app (which has a video editor), and Mac comes with iMovie. If you want more control, free programs like DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and OpenShot let you import video clips, add text, music, and effects, then export the finished video in formats that work on YouTube, social media, or email.

Before you choose software, decide what kind of video you are making. A screen recording of your desktop needs different tools than a video made from clips shot on your phone. A slideshow with music needs less power than editing multiple camera angles. Your computer's age and speed matter too — newer machines handle complex editing faster, but you can make good videos on older hardware if you use simpler software.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac both include free video editing software (Photos app and iMovie) that work for basic projects without downloading anything.
  • Free programs like DaVinci Resolve and Shotcut offer more features than built-in tools and run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • Screen recording software like OBS Studio lets you capture what is on your screen, useful for tutorials or gameplay videos.
  • Video files take up significant storage space, so check how much free space your computer has before you start a large project.
  • Exporting (saving) your finished video takes time — a 10-minute video can take 30 minutes to an hour to export, depending on your computer and the quality you choose.

Using Built-In Tools on Windows and Mac

On Windows 10 and 11, open the Photos app (search for "Photos" in the Start menu). Click the "Create" button at the top, then choose "Video with music" or "Custom video with music". You can import video clips from your computer, add photos, trim clips, add text overlays, and choose background music from a built-in library. When you are done, click "Export" and choose a quality level — higher quality makes a larger file but looks better on screens.

On Mac, iMovie is in your Applications folder. Open it and click "Create New" to start a project. Drag video clips or photos into the timeline at the bottom, click clips to trim them, and use the toolbar to add titles, transitions, and music. iMovie is simpler than Windows Photos but handles most basic editing. Export by going to File > Share and choosing your destination (YouTube, email, or a file on your computer).

Both tools are free and require no learning curve if you have used a computer before. The trade-off is that they do not offer advanced features like color correction, multiple audio tracks, or complex effects. For most people sharing videos on social media or email, they are enough.

Free Video Editing Software for More Control

DaVinci Resolve is free on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from Blackmagic Design's website. It is more powerful than built-in tools but has a steeper learning curve. You can import multiple video clips, adjust colors, add effects, layer audio tracks, and export in many formats. The free version has all the core features; the paid version adds advanced color grading and effects. Start by watching one of the many free tutorials on YouTube to learn the basic workflow: import clips, arrange them on the timeline, trim and cut, add transitions, then export.

Shotcut is another free option that works on all operating systems. It is lighter weight than DaVinci Resolve and good for straightforward editing — cutting clips, adding titles, and basic effects. read it from shotcut.org. The interface is less polished than DaVinci Resolve, but it is stable and does not require much computer power.

OpenShot is simpler still and good if you are new to video editing. It focuses on the essentials: import clips, arrange them, add transitions and titles, then export. It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

All three are free and do not require a credit card or account. read time depends on your internet speed, but each is under 1 gigabyte. Installation takes a few minutes.

Recording Your Screen or Webcam

If you want to record what is on your screen (for a tutorial, presentation, or gameplay video), use OBS Studio, which is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from obsproject.com. OBS records your screen, your webcam, or both at the same time. You can also record audio from your microphone or system sound.

Open OBS, click the plus sign under "Sources" to add what you want to record (Display Capture for your screen, Video Capture Device for your webcam), then click "Start Recording". A red dot appears in the corner of your screen while recording. When you are done, click "Stop Recording". The video file is saved to a folder on your computer (you can change where in Settings).

OBS records in a format that most video editors can import. If you want to edit the recording afterward, import it into DaVinci Resolve or another editor. If you want to stream live to YouTube or Twitch instead of saving a file, OBS does that too — but that is a separate workflow.

For simpler screen recording without editing, Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in tool: press Windows key + G to open Game Bar, then click "Start recording". Mac has a built-in screen recording in the Screenshot app (press Shift + Command + 5). Both are fast but offer fewer options than OBS.

Importing Video from Your Phone or Camera

Connect your phone or camera to your computer with a USB cable. On Windows, open File Explorer and look for your device under "This PC". On Mac, open Finder and look in the sidebar. Copy the video files to a folder on your computer — do not edit directly from the phone, because the connection can drop and interrupt your work.

Video files from phones are usually in MP4 format, which all video editors accept. Files from cameras vary — some use MOV, some use MTS or MXF. Most modern editors handle these formats, but if your editor does not recognize a file, you may need to convert it first using a free tool like HandBrake or FFmpeg. This adds a step but is usually straightforward.

Before you import, check how much free space your computer has. A one-hour video can be 5 to 15 gigabytes depending on the quality. If your computer is running low on space, delete old files or move them to an external drive first.

Exporting Your Video and Choosing File Format

When your video is finished, you need to export it — that is, save it in a format that other people can watch. The most common format is MP4, which works on YouTube, social media, email, and most devices. Most video editors default to MP4, so you can usually just click "Export" and accept the default settings.

Before you export, choose a resolution and frame rate. For social media and YouTube, 1080p (1920 × 1080 pixels) at 30 frames per second is standard and looks good on phones and computers. Higher resolutions like 4K take much longer to export and create larger files, but they look sharper on large screens. Lower resolutions like 720p export faster but look blurry on big screens.

Exporting takes time. A 10-minute video at 1080p can take 30 minutes to an hour to export, depending on how many effects you added and how fast your computer is. Do not close the program or turn off your computer while exporting — if the export is interrupted, you have to start over. Plan to export overnight or when you are not using the computer for other things.

After export, the video file appears in the folder you chose. Test it by opening it in a media player to make sure it looks and sounds right before you upload it anywhere.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

The video editor will not open my file. The file format may not be supported. Try converting it first using HandBrake (free, works on Windows and Mac) or FFmpeg (free, command-line tool). Most editors support MP4, MOV, and AVI, so converting to one of those usually works.

The video is out of sync — the audio does not match the video. This usually happens when you have multiple audio and video tracks. In your editor, right-click the clip and look for an option to sync audio and video, or delete the extra audio track and keep only one. If the problem persists, re-import the file and try again.

The export is taking too long or the computer is freezing. Close other programs to free up memory. Lower the export resolution to 720p instead of 1080p to speed things up. If your computer is very old, use simpler software like Windows Photos or iMovie instead of DaVinci Resolve.

The file is too large to email or upload. Reduce the bitrate (quality) during export. Most editors have a "quality" slider — move it down to compress the file. You can also use a tool like HandBrake to compress an already-exported file further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special camera to make videos on my computer?

No. Your phone camera or webcam works fine. If you want higher quality, a dedicated camera helps, but it is not necessary. Many successful YouTube creators started with just a phone and a computer.

What is the difference between MP4 and MOV?

Both are video file formats. MP4 works on more devices and websites, so it is the safer choice. MOV is Apple's format and works well on Mac and iOS devices. Most video editors let you export in either format.

Can I edit video on a laptop with limited storage?

Yes, but you will need to manage space carefully. Store video files on an external hard drive instead of your laptop's built-in drive. Work on one project at a time and delete old projects when you are done. External drives are inexpensive and give you much more room.

How do I add music to my video without getting copyright strikes?

Use music from a royalty-free library. YouTube Audio Library (free with a YouTube account), Epidemic Sound, and Artlist all offer music you can use without copyright problems. Built-in music libraries in Windows Photos and iMovie are also safe to use. Avoid music from Spotify, Apple Music, or commercial songs unless you have permission from the copyright holder.

What should I do if my video looks blurry after I export it?

Increase the export resolution or bitrate. In your editor's export settings, look for a quality slider or bitrate option and move it higher. Re-export the video. If the original video clip was low quality, no amount of exporting will make it sharp — the quality is limited by what you recorded.