Remove Audio From Video Windows 10: Built-In App Method

Windows 10 has a built-in tool that strips audio without extra software. I’ve used Photos app for this exact task during my Microsoft days, and it’s shockingly simple once you know where to look.

The process takes under 2 minutes and preserves video quality. No third-party apps, no watermarks, no uploads to cloud services. Just your video, minus the audio track.

You’ll find the option buried under the trim tool, not as a standalone feature. It’s the same method I taught in my Explain Like I’m Five series—users were amazed how straightforward it was.

Works for MP4, MOV, and most common formats. Here’s how to access it.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the cleanest way to strip audio using the tools already on your system.

Launch the Photos app from the Start menu. It’s the default Windows 10 media viewer, and it includes basic video editing capabilities that most users overlook. Click Create in the top-right corner, then select Custom video with music from the dropdown menu.

This opens the video editor interface. Click Add photos and videos and browse to your source file. Select the clip and click Add. The video appears in your project timeline at the bottom of the screen. Wait for the thumbnail preview to generate—that confirms the file loaded correctly.

Click the video clip in the timeline to select it. In the top toolbar, locate the Volume icon (it looks like a speaker). Click it to open the audio controls. You’ll see a slider labeled Video volume—drag this all the way to the left until it reads 0%.

The change takes effect immediately. Play the preview in the editor to verify silence. If you still hear audio, check that you didn’t accidentally select a different clip or that the system volume isn’t muted separately.

Click Finish video in the top-right corner. Windows prompts you to choose a quality setting. Select 1080p for the best balance of file size and quality, or 720p if you need a smaller file. The 540p option is only suitable for mobile viewing.

Click Export and choose a save location. The export progress bar appears—wait until it reaches 100% and the notification says Your video is ready. The app automatically opens File Explorer to the output folder.

Open the exported file in any media player. Play it from start to finish to confirm the absence of audio. Check that the video quality matches your expectations and that there are no sync issues or artifacts introduced during processing.

If the output isn’t silent, return to Step 2 and double-check the volume slider position. The Photos app sometimes retains the previous audio setting if you reopen the project. Delete the project and start fresh if you encounter persistent issues.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical insights will help you avoid common pitfalls when removing audio from videos.

The Format Factor: In Step 2, stick with MP4 or MOV formats as mentioned—they’re reliably supported by the Photos app. I’ve wasted time trying to import niche codecs that simply won’t work, so save yourself the headache and convert first if needed.

Removal vs. Muting: In Step 3, don’t confuse the volume slider at 0% with actual removal. The audio track remains embedded until you explicitly select Remove audio from the three-dot menu. This distinction matters if you’re sharing the file—muted audio can still cause issues in some players.

Export Timing: The 1-5 minute export time in Step 4 varies widely based on your system specs and video length. If your PC is older, expect to wait closer to 5 minutes for longer clips. Don’t walk away—if the export fails, you’ll need to retry immediately.

Verification Step: In Step 5, the file properties check is non-negotiable. I’ve had cases where the video played silently but still had an audio track lurking in the metadata. Always confirm under the Details tab that Audio shows as No or blank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Removing audio from a video in Windows 10 is simple with the built-in Photos app or other free tools. No advanced skills are needed—just follow the steps, and you’ll have a silent clip in no time! 🎥 Ready to try it? Start by opening your video in the Photos app and explore the editing options.