Your options on Windows
- Clipchamp (built into Windows 11): open the video, export at a lower resolution such as 720p. Simple, but you don't control the size directly.
- A dedicated compressor: Fast Video Compressor lets you pick a preset, see the estimated size and compare quality before exporting. Free on the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 and 10.
- Advanced tools: HandBrake or Shutter Encoder if you want codec-level control. Compare all options →
Compress a video on your laptop in 4 steps
- Install Fast Video Compressor from the Microsoft Store (works on x64, x86 and ARM64 laptops).
- Drag your video in and choose Balanced.
- Check Estimated Output - drag the Quality Level slider if you need it smaller.
- Click Start Compression. The compressed copy is saved next to your original.
Keep it fast on a laptop
- Plug in for long videos. Windows often slows the CPU on battery, so encoding takes longer.
- Lower the resolution if the video is for a phone or chat - smaller frames encode much faster.
- Leave Encoding Speed on Fast unless you need the very smallest file.
- Use your GPU (Pro): on laptops with Intel, NVIDIA or AMD graphics, GPU acceleration can compress up to 3× faster.
System requirements
| Windows | Windows 11 and Windows 10 |
|---|---|
| Processor | x64, x86 or ARM64 |
| Internet | Only to install from the Microsoft Store - compression runs offline |
| Input formats | MP4 up to 2 GB (free); MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, WEBM, M4V and no size limit (Pro) |
| GPU acceleration | Intel, NVIDIA or AMD graphics (Pro) |
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a video on Windows 11?
Install Fast Video Compressor from the Microsoft Store, drag the video in, choose Balanced, check the estimated size, and click Start Compression. Clipchamp, built into Windows 11, can also export at a lower resolution.
Does compressing a video use a lot of battery?
Encoding is demanding, so long videos are best compressed while plugged in. Lowering the resolution and using GPU acceleration (Pro) both shorten the job.
Can I compress videos on an ARM laptop?
Yes. Fast Video Compressor is available for ARM64 as well as x64 and x86 Windows devices.
Do I need internet to compress a video?
Only to install the app. Compression itself runs completely offline.
Try it on your own video
Fast Video Compressor is free on the Microsoft Store. Nothing is uploaded, and you see the new size before you compress.
Download free for Windows