How to Rotate Videos on Windows
Sometimes videos appear sideways or upside down when you play them on your computer. This usually happens when a video was recorded on a phone or camera held in the wrong orientation. While the video may look fine on the device it was recorded on, it can display incorrectly on Windows.
Fortunately, Windows offers several easy ways to rotate videos, both with built-in tools and with free third-party software. This guide explains how to rotate a video in Windows step by step. You will learn multiple methods, when to use each one, and how to save the rotated video correctly.
Why Videos Appear Rotated on Windows
Understanding the cause helps you choose the right solution.
Videos are often recorded with orientation data instead of being physically rotated. Some apps and devices read this data correctly, while others do not. When Windows or a media player ignores orientation metadata, the video appears sideways or upside down.
This is common with:
- Smartphone videos
- Webcam recordings
- Screen recordings
Rotating the video fixes the issue permanently.
Difference Between Rotating During Playback and Rotating the File
There are two main approaches.
Rotating during playback only changes how the video appears in a media player. Rotating the file actually modifies the video and saves it in the correct orientation.
If you plan to share or upload the video, rotating the file itself is the better option.
Method 1: Rotate a Video Using the Windows Photos App
The Photos app is built into Windows and supports basic video editing.
Steps to Rotate a Video with Photos
- Right-click the video file
- Select Open with > Photos
- Click Edit & Create
- Choose Edit
- Click the Rotate button until the video is correct
- Click Save a copy
Windows saves a new video file with the correct orientation.
Advantages of Using the Photos App
This method is:
- Free and built into Windows
- Easy for beginners
- Suitable for simple rotations
However, it may be slow with large video files.
Method 2: Rotate a Video Using VLC Media Player
VLC is a popular free media player with advanced features.
Rotate Video Temporarily in VLC
- Open VLC Media Player
- Click Media > Open File
- Click Tools > Effects and Filters
- Open the Video Effects tab
- Enable Transform or Rotate
This rotates the video only during playback.
Save a Permanently Rotated Video in VLC
To permanently rotate the video:
- Enable rotation in Video Effects
- Go to Media > Convert / Save
- Choose a destination file
- Start the conversion
VLC creates a new rotated video file.
Method 3: Rotate a Video Using Windows Movie Maker Alternative
Windows Movie Maker is no longer supported, but alternatives exist.
Free editors such as Clipchamp or OpenShot allow easy rotation.
General Steps in Video Editors
- Import the video
- Select the rotate tool
- Adjust orientation
- Export the video
This method offers more editing flexibility.
Method 4: Rotate a Video Using Online Tools
Online tools allow quick edits without installing software.
Common features include:
- Upload video
- Rotate left or right
- Download rotated file
These tools are convenient but may have file size limits.
When to Avoid Online Video Rotators
Online tools may not be ideal for:
- Large or high-resolution videos
- Sensitive or private content
- Slow internet connections
Offline tools are safer in these cases.
Method 5: Rotate a Video Using Command Line Tools
Advanced users can use command-line utilities.
Tools like FFmpeg allow precise control over video rotation.
This method is powerful but not beginner-friendly.
Common Problems When Rotating Videos
You may encounter issues such as:
- Audio out of sync
- Quality loss
- Large file sizes
Choosing the right tool helps avoid these problems.
Tips to Preserve Video Quality
To maintain quality:
- Use original resolution
- Avoid repeated conversions
- Choose high-quality export settings
These tips ensure a clean final video.
Rotating Videos Recorded on Smartphones
Smartphone videos often rely on orientation metadata.
If rotation looks wrong on Windows, re-encoding the video usually fixes it permanently.
The Photos app and VLC are ideal for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rotating a Video Reduce Quality?
It can if the video is re-encoded with low settings.
Can I Rotate Multiple Videos at Once?
Some editors and command-line tools support batch processing.
Is There a Built-In Way in Windows Explorer?
No. Windows Explorer cannot rotate videos directly.
Best Practices for Video Rotation on Windows
For best results:
- Use built-in tools for simple tasks
- Use advanced editors for large projects
- Save rotated videos as new files
These practices reduce errors and data loss.
Conclusion
Rotating a video in Windows is a common task that can be done easily with the right tools. Whether you use the built-in Photos app, VLC Media Player, video editors, or online tools, Windows provides flexible options for correcting video orientation.
By following the methods in this guide, you can fix sideways or upside-down videos, preserve quality, and ensure your videos display correctly across all devices and platforms.