How to Rotate a Video on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Rotating a video clips you’ve shot upside-down by accident—or simply changing its orientation for better viewing—doesn’t require expensive software or online converters. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 come with built-in tools that let you flip and rotate videos in just a few clicks. In this guide, you’ll learn three easy methods using free tools you already have (or can grab in seconds): the Windows Photos app, VLC Media Player, and the free command-line utility FFmpeg.

Why Rotate a Video?

• Fix Accidental Orientation: Smartphones sometimes record in the wrong orientation.
• Improve Composition: Rotate a sideways clip to fit your project’s layout.
• Prepare for Social Media: Some platforms favor vertical or horizontal formats.

No matter the reason, these 3 approaches cover every comfort level—from point-and-click to power tools.

Method 1: Using the Windows Photos App

Both Windows 10 and 11 include a simple video editor inside the Photos app. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Video in Photos
   • Right-click your video file in File Explorer.
   • Choose Open with → Photos.
2. Enter Edit Mode
   • In the top toolbar, click the Edit & Create dropdown.
   • Select Create a video with text.
   • (You might see “New video project”; click that.)
3. Add Your Clip to the Storyboard
   • In the “Video Editor” window, click + Add and choose your video.
   • Drag it down into the storyboard at the bottom.
4. Rotate the Clip
   • Select your clip in the storyboard.
   • Above the preview pane, use the Rotate button (a curved arrow icon).
   • Each click rotates 90° clockwise. Click until the orientation is correct.
5. Export the Rotated Video
   • Click Finish video in the top-right corner.
   • Choose your desired resolution (e.g., 1080p) and click Export.
   • Pick a save location, name the file, and hit Export again.

Your rotated video will save as a new file—no original overwritten.

Method 2: Rotating with VLC Media Player

VLC is a free, open-source media player that doubles as a basic video editor. If you don’t have it, download it from https://www.videolan.org. Then:

1. Load Your Video
   • Open VLC.
   • Go to Media → Open File… and select your clip.
2. Access the Effects and Filters
   • Click Tools → Effects and Filters (or press Ctrl+E).
   • In the “Adjustments and Effects” window, switch to the Video Effects tab.
3. Rotate the Video
   • Click the Geometry sub-tab.
   • Check Transform, then choose a rotation (90°, 180°, or 270°) from the dropdown.
   • You’ll see the preview rotate in real time.
4. Save the Rotated Clip
   VLC won’t overwrite your file automatically. To save:
   • Close the Effects window.
   • Go to Media → Convert / Save….
   • Click Add and select the same file.
   • Click Convert / Save.
   • Under Profile, choose a format (e.g., “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)”).
   • Click the wrench icon to edit the profile if you need custom settings.
   • In Destination file, browse to a new filename.
   • Hit Start.

VLC will process and output your rotated video.

Method 3: FFmpeg (Command-Line Power Tool)

For advanced users or batch jobs, FFmpeg is ideal. It’s a free, cross-platform command-line utility. Install it from https://ffmpeg.org and add it to your PATH.

1. Open Command Prompt
   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Rotate 90° Clockwise

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "transpose=1" -c:a copy output.mp4

1. transpose=1 rotates 90° clockwise.
2. -c:a copy preserves audio without re-encoding.
3. Other Rotation Options
   • 90° counter-clockwise: transpose=2
   • 180°: transpose=1,transpose=1 or use -vf "transpose=1,transpose=1"
   • Vertical flip: -vf "vflip"
   • Horizontal flip: -vf "hflip"
4. Batch Rotate Multiple Files
   In a folder of MP4s, run:

for %f in (*.mp4) do ffmpeg -i "%f" -vf "transpose=1" -c:a copy "rotated_%f"

FFmpeg gives you full control and lightning-fast processing.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Quality Settings: When exporting, higher resolution = bigger file. Match your original source.
• Preview Before Export: Always check the preview pane (Photos or VLC) to confirm orientation.
• Unsupported Formats: Some video types may require conversion first (e.g., .MOV). VLC and FFmpeg handle most formats.

Conclusion

Rotating videos on Windows 10 or 11 is a breeze, whether you prefer a simple GUI or a command-line powerhouse. Use the Photos app for quick one-offs, VLC when you need basic editing alongside playback, and FFmpeg for heavy-duty batch processing. Whichever method you choose, you’ll have correctly oriented clips in minutes—no extra cost, no fuss.

Ready to level up your video editing on Windows? Try these methods today and never worry about sideways footage again!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!