How to Rotate a Video Using Windows Media Player (and Alternatives)
Rotating a video is a common task, whether you’ve accidentally recorded footage in the wrong orientation or simply want to adjust the viewing angle. While Windows Media Player, the default media player on many Windows systems, doesn’t directly offer a rotation feature, there are workarounds and alternative solutions to achieve this. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to rotate your videos, starting with exploring Windows Media Player’s limitations and then diving into practical solutions using other software.
Understanding Windows Media Player’s Limitations
Unfortunately, Windows Media Player (WMP) lacks a built-in video rotation function. It’s primarily designed for playing media files and doesn’t include advanced editing features like video rotation, trimming, or adding effects. Directly rotating a video within WMP is not possible. When you try to find the option, you won’t find it. This is a common frustration for users who expect a basic editing feature in their default media player.
Workarounds and Alternatives for Rotating Videos
Since WMP doesn’t offer direct rotation, you’ll need to use alternative methods to achieve the desired result. These methods involve using video editing software or other media players that provide rotation capabilities. Here are several options:
1. Using the Photos App (Windows 10 & 11)
The Photos app, pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, provides a surprisingly easy way to rotate videos. Here’s how:
**Steps:**
1. **Open the Video with Photos:** Right-click on the video file you want to rotate. Select “Open with” and choose “Photos.” If Photos isn’t listed, click “Choose another app” and find it in the list. If you still can’t find it, you may need to search for it within your Windows applications.
2. **Enter Edit Mode:** Once the video is open in the Photos app, look for an “Edit & Create” button at the top of the window. Click on it, and then select “Edit” from the dropdown menu. This will open the video in edit mode.
3. **Rotate the Video:** In the edit mode, you’ll see various editing options along the top. Look for the “Rotate” icon, which usually appears as a square with an arrow rotating around it. Click this icon repeatedly to rotate the video in 90-degree increments. Each click will rotate the video 90 degrees clockwise. Continue clicking until the video is in the correct orientation.
4. **Save the Rotated Video:** Once you’ve rotated the video to your satisfaction, click the “Save a copy” button at the top-right corner of the window. This will save the rotated video as a new file, leaving the original video untouched. Choose a location on your computer to save the new file. Give it a relevant name and confirm the save operation. If you select “Save” instead, the original video will be overwritten with the rotated version. It’s generally recommended to save a copy to preserve the original.
**Pros:**
* Simple and easy to use.
* No need to install additional software.
* Available by default on Windows 10 and 11.
**Cons:**
* Limited editing features beyond rotation.
* Only rotates in 90-degree increments.
2. Using VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source media player known for its versatility and extensive format support. It also includes a video rotation feature.
**Steps:**
1. **Download and Install VLC:** If you don’t already have it, download VLC Media Player from the official VideoLAN website (www.videolan.org). Install it on your computer.
2. **Open the Video with VLC:** Right-click on the video file, select “Open with,” and choose “VLC media player.” If it isn’t listed, click “Choose another app” and find it. Always download VLC from the official website to avoid potentially bundled malware.
3. **Access Effects and Filters:** Once the video is playing in VLC, go to “Tools” in the menu bar at the top of the VLC window. From the dropdown menu, select “Effects and Filters.” This will open the “Adjustments and Effects” window.
4. **Navigate to Video Effects:** In the “Adjustments and Effects” window, click on the “Video Effects” tab.
5. **Geometry Tab and Rotation:** Under the “Video Effects” tab, click on the “Geometry” tab. Here, you’ll find several options for transforming the video.
6. **Rotate Option:** Check the box next to “Rotate.” A dropdown menu will appear, allowing you to select the rotation angle. You can choose from 90, 180, or 270 degrees. Select the appropriate angle to correct the video’s orientation.
7. **Transform Option (Alternative Rotation):** If you need more precise rotation or want to flip the video horizontally or vertically, you can use the “Transform” dropdown menu instead of “Rotate.” “Transform” offers options like “Rotate by 90 degrees,” “Rotate by 180 degrees,” “Rotate by 270 degrees,” “Flip horizontally,” and “Flip vertically.”
8. **Close the Window:** After rotating the video, close the “Adjustments and Effects” window. The video will now play with the applied rotation.
9. **Permanent Rotation (Important Note):** The rotation applied in VLC is temporary and only affects the current playback session. To permanently rotate the video, you need to convert and save it with the new orientation.
10. **Convert/Save the Rotated Video:** Go to “Media” in the menu bar and select “Convert / Save…” (or press Ctrl+R).
11. **Add the Input File:** In the “Open Media” window, click the “Add…” button and select the video file you want to rotate permanently.
12. **Convert Settings:** Click on the “Convert / Save” button. In the “Convert” window, choose a profile from the “Profile” dropdown menu. The “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)” profile is a good general-purpose choice.
13. **Edit Profile (Optional):** You can customize the selected profile by clicking the wrench icon next to the “Profile” dropdown menu. This allows you to adjust video and audio codecs, bitrate, frame rate, and other settings. Unless you have specific requirements, the default settings are usually sufficient.
14. **Destination File:** Click the “Browse” button to choose a destination folder and filename for the rotated video. Make sure to give it a new name to avoid overwriting the original file.
15. **Start Conversion:** Click the “Start” button to begin the conversion process. VLC will encode the video with the applied rotation and save it to the specified location. The conversion time will depend on the video’s length and your computer’s processing power.
**Pros:**
* Free and open-source.
* Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux).
* Supports a wide range of video formats.
* Provides precise rotation options.
* Can permanently save the rotated video.
**Cons:**
* The conversion process can be time-consuming.
* The interface can be slightly overwhelming for beginners.
3. Using Online Video Rotation Tools
Numerous online video rotation tools are available, which can be convenient for quick and easy rotation without installing any software. However, be cautious about uploading sensitive videos to online services due to privacy concerns.
**General Steps (Vary Slightly Depending on the Tool):**
1. **Choose an Online Tool:** Search for “online video rotator” on Google or your preferred search engine. Several options will appear, such as Clideo, Kapwing, Ezgif, and OnlineConvert. Choose one that seems reputable and user-friendly.
2. **Upload the Video:** Visit the website of the chosen online tool. You’ll usually find a button or area to upload your video file. Click the button and select the video from your computer. The upload time will depend on the video’s size and your internet connection speed.
3. **Rotate the Video:** Most online tools provide simple rotation controls, such as buttons to rotate the video 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. Click the buttons to adjust the video’s orientation until it’s correct. Some tools may also offer options to flip the video horizontally or vertically.
4. **Download the Rotated Video:** Once you’ve rotated the video, look for a button to download the processed video. Click the button, and the rotated video will be downloaded to your computer. The download location will depend on your browser settings.
**Examples of Online Video Rotation Tools:**
* **Clideo:** Offers a user-friendly interface and various editing options, including rotation.
* **Kapwing:** A more advanced online video editor with rotation, trimming, and other features. Requires an account for some features.
* **Ezgif:** A simple and straightforward tool for rotating GIFs and videos.
* **OnlineConvert:** A versatile online converter that also includes a video rotation tool.
**Pros:**
* Convenient and accessible from any device with an internet connection.
* No software installation required.
* Often free for basic use.
**Cons:**
* Security and privacy concerns when uploading videos to third-party websites.
* Limited editing features compared to desktop software.
* Upload and download times depend on internet speed.
* File size limitations may apply.
* Some tools may add watermarks to the rotated video unless you pay for a premium subscription.
4. Using Dedicated Video Editing Software
For more advanced video editing and rotation capabilities, dedicated video editing software is the best option. These programs offer a wide range of features and tools for professional-quality video editing.
**Examples of Video Editing Software:**
* **Adobe Premiere Pro:** Industry-standard video editing software with a comprehensive set of features.
* **Final Cut Pro:** A professional video editing program for macOS.
* **DaVinci Resolve:** A powerful video editing, color correction, and audio post-production tool.
* **Filmora:** A user-friendly video editor with a simpler interface than Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
* **iMovie:** A free and easy-to-use video editor for macOS and iOS.
**General Steps (Vary Depending on the Software):**
1. **Install Video Editing Software:** Download and install your chosen video editing software on your computer. Most professional programs require a paid subscription, but some free options are available.
2. **Import the Video:** Launch the video editing software and import the video file you want to rotate. The import process usually involves going to “File” > “Import” or a similar option.
3. **Add the Video to the Timeline:** Drag the imported video from the project panel to the timeline. The timeline is where you arrange and edit the video clips.
4. **Rotate the Video:** Locate the rotation controls in the software. The location of these controls varies depending on the program, but they are typically found in the video properties or effects panel. You can usually rotate the video by entering a specific angle in degrees or by using a visual rotation handle.
5. **Adjust Other Settings (Optional):** While you’re editing the video, you can also adjust other settings, such as brightness, contrast, color, and audio levels.
6. **Export the Rotated Video:** Once you’ve rotated the video to your satisfaction, export it to a new file. The export process involves going to “File” > “Export” or a similar option. Choose your desired video format, resolution, and quality settings. The export time will depend on the video’s length and your computer’s processing power.
**Pros:**
* Advanced editing features and precise control over rotation.
* Professional-quality results.
* Ability to adjust other video and audio settings.
* Support for a wide range of video formats and codecs.
**Cons:**
* Can be expensive (especially professional-grade software).
* Steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools.
* Requires more powerful computer hardware.
Troubleshooting Common Rotation Issues
* **Video Still Plays in the Wrong Orientation:** If you’ve rotated the video but it still plays incorrectly on other devices or players, it’s possible that the metadata is causing the issue. Some media players rely on metadata tags to determine the video’s orientation. To fix this, you may need to remove or correct the metadata using a metadata editing tool. Some video editing software can also handle metadata correction during the export process.
* **Loss of Video Quality After Rotation:** Rotating and re-encoding a video can sometimes result in a loss of quality. To minimize quality loss, use a high bitrate and the original video resolution when exporting the rotated video. Choosing the same video codec as the original file can also help preserve quality.
* **Rotation Not Saving Permanently:** If you’re using a media player like VLC to rotate the video, remember that the rotation is only temporary unless you convert and save the video with the new orientation. Always use the conversion/saving feature to make the rotation permanent.
Conclusion
While Windows Media Player doesn’t natively support video rotation, several effective alternatives are available. The Photos app provides a quick and easy solution for basic rotation on Windows 10 and 11. VLC Media Player offers more precise rotation options and the ability to permanently save the rotated video. Online video rotation tools are convenient for quick fixes, but be mindful of privacy concerns. For professional-quality video editing and rotation, dedicated video editing software is the best choice. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily rotate your videos and ensure they are displayed in the correct orientation, regardless of the device or platform you’re using. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and technical expertise, and always back up your original video files before making any changes.