Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
    • Popular Phone Brands
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
    • Operating Systems
      • Android
      • iOS
    • More from Phones
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • Macbooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
    • PCs
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
    • Popular Computing Brands
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
    • More from Computing
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • TV Insights
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
    • More for your TV
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney Plus
    • Apple TV +
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount Plus
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
    • Watch Brands
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
    • Wellbeing
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
    • More from Fitness
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • Headphones
      • Earbus & Airpods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
    • More from Audio
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • Camera Types
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
    • Camera Brands
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
    • More from Cameras
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
    • Home Brands
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
    • More from Home
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • By Type
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
    • Popular Brands
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
  • More
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
  • Phones
    • View Phones
    • Popular Phone Brands
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
    • Operating Systems
      • Android
      • iOS
    • More from Phones
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • View Computing
    • Laptops
      • View Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • Macbooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
    • PCs
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • View Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • View Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • View Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • View Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • View Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
    • Popular Computing Brands
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
    • More from Computing
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • View AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • View TVs
    • TV Insights
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
    • More for your TV
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • View Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney Plus
    • Apple TV +
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount Plus
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • View Fitness
    • Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
    • Watch Brands
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
    • Wellbeing
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
    • More from Fitness
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • View Audio
    • Headphones
      • View Headphones
      • Earbus & Airpods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • View Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • View Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • View Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
    • More from Audio
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • View VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • View Cameras
    • Camera Types
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
    • Camera Brands
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
    • More from Cameras
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • View Home
    • Smart Home
      • View Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • View Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
    • Home Brands
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
    • More from Home
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • View Browse
    • By Type
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
    • Popular Brands
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Best VPN
  • Back to school
  • Best laptop
  • ChatGPT
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
1 Second Everyday: Video Diary
Websites & Apps I’m no movie director, but this app helped me create a movie of my life
An Android phone connected to a Windows PC
Android How to connect your Android phone to a Windows PC using Phone Link
Google Photos interface displayed on two phones on a yellow background
Phones These 9 Google Photos features will change the way you save, share, and edit images
Camo
Websites & Apps Say goodbye to fuzzy, hazy, and low resolution webcam video with this free app
Adobe Premiere Rush during our review
Pro Best video editing app of 2025 for Android and Apple devices
Sad business man and laptop
Windows Microsoft's trying to force OneDrive on us yet again - this time for moving from a Windows 10 PC to a Windows 11 one
Meta AI Video Editing
AI Platforms & Assistants I tried the new Meta AI video editor and it's quite the trip into the uncanny valley
  1. Computing
  2. Internet
  3. Social Media
  4. Instagram

How to upload videos to Instagram from your PC

How-to
By Cat Ellis published 30 July 2017

It's hip to be square

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Instagram added video support in 2013, letting you upload brief snippets of life recorded on your smartphone. But what if your recordings need a little retouching on your PC before you share them, or you want to upload a clip recorded using a camera rather than a phone?

There are some web-based tools for uploading videos to Instagram, but most charge a subscription fee, and they can be closed at a moment's notice. Here we’ll show you how to make your videos look amazing, then share them on Instagram without paying a penny. Let’s get started...

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
1. Crop your video

1. Crop your video

First, get your video ready to upload to Instagram. You can do this within the Instagram app itself, but it’s much easier to make accurate edits using a mouse and dedicated editing software than Instagram's simple tools.

The best free video editor for this job is ShotCut. It’s not the most powerful tool around, but it’s easy to use and has all the features an Instagrammer needs.

Download and install ShotCut, then open your video and, click the Filters button, followed by the + button, then select the screen icon to see video effects. Click Crop, then use the sliders to adjust how much is trimmed off each edge, taking care to make it a neat square.

It’s also worth experimenting with the other filters here, which are much more customizable than Instagram's own tools. You can add as many filters as you like using the + button.

Review and where to download: Shotcut

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
2. Trim and export

2. Trim and export

When you’re happy, drag and drop the video from the preview window onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen. Click on the timeline and scrub through the video until you find the point where you want it to start. Click the Split at Playhead button (it looks like a small rectangle divided by a dotted line), then right-click the part of the video you want to remove and select ‘Clear’. Do the same to prune the end of the clip.

Once you’re happy, click File > Export Video and make sure MP4 is selected as the export format. Set the height and width to the same value so the video is square, and change the aspect ratio to 1:1.

Click Export and enter a file name, then click Save. Once the video has finished encoding (you’ll see a progress bar on the right-hand side), you’re ready to upload it to Instagram.

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
3. Upload to Instagram

3. Upload to Instagram

Now sign up for a Dropbox account and download the desktop app. Once it’s installed, Dropbox will appear like any other folder in Windows Explorer – the only difference being that anything placed in it will be uploaded to the cloud automatically so you can access it from any device with an internet connection. Drag and drop the edited video into your new Dropbox folder.

Now install the Dropbox app on your phone and log into your Dropbox account. Find the video you uploaded and tap it once, then tap the down arrow on the top right (not the share button) and select ‘Export’. Provided you already have the Instagram mobile app installed, it will appear in the list of options. Tap it, then apply any effects you like to the video and select a frame to use as a cover (you’ve already trimmed and clipped it, so don’t worry about these options).

Finally, add a caption and decide where you want to share your clip. Videos tend to do particularly well on Facebook, so it's well worth considering.

  • Check out the best tools for downloading videos from Instagram.
Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Cat Ellis
Cat Ellis
Social Links Navigation
Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
1 Second Everyday: Video Diary
I’m no movie director, but this app helped me create a movie of my life
An Android phone connected to a Windows PC
How to connect your Android phone to a Windows PC using Phone Link
Google Photos interface displayed on two phones on a yellow background
These 9 Google Photos features will change the way you save, share, and edit images
Camo
Say goodbye to fuzzy, hazy, and low resolution webcam video with this free app
Adobe Premiere Rush during our review
Best video editing app of 2025 for Android and Apple devices
Sad business man and laptop
Microsoft's trying to force OneDrive on us yet again - this time for moving from a Windows 10 PC to a Windows 11 one
Latest in Instagram
Instagram Edits logo moving
I can't wait to try Edits, Instagram's answer to CapCut, and it's out now as a free download
Instagram Blend lead
Latest Instagram feature asks if you’re ready to reveal your innermost Reel personality to your besties
Instagram app logo on iOS
Instagram wants you to do more with DMs than just slide into someone else’s
Instagram Valentine's Day 2025 Drop
Instagram is feeling the love with a surprise set of Valentine's Day easter eggs
Instagram app logo on iOS
Instagram finally has all the tools to make your own year in review for Stories
Instagram app logo on iOS
Instagram just fixed its worst habit, and I couldn’t be happier
Latest in How Tos
Two phones on a blue and green background showing the Photopills app planning page for the Perseids meteor shower
How to watch and photograph tonight's Perseid meteor shower
OpenAI unveils GPT-4o
ChatGPT-4o is back - here’s how to use the older OpenAI model instead of GPT-5
A woman smoking on a bed beneath pink neon signs in Magic City: An American Fantasy
How to watch Magic City: An American Fantasy online from anywhere
Twitter social media application change logo to X. Elon Musk CEO of twitter rebranded Twitter to 'X'. Social media application technology concept.
How to safely verify your age on X – prove your age without risking your personal data
Google and ChatGPT
ChatGPT chats are now appearing in Google search – here’s how to stop Google from spying on your conversations
Primary Race Glance on Garmin Venu X1
Garmin’s underrated race-day training tool is what keeps me from switching to the Apple Watch – here’s how to set it up
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    A shocking number of businesses don't have cyber insurance - here's why you should fix that immediately
  2. 2
    Google's Find Hub will soon get a big satellite location-sharing upgrade for Android fans – here’s how it'll work
  3. 3
    New Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini expected imminently, both sporting upgraded Apple chipsets
  4. 4
    Listen up, students! The latest MacBook Air is down to a record-low price and it's the top laptop I recommend for the new school year
  5. 5
    Assassin's Creed Shadows devs tease the return of some past series lore, including the Assassin vs. Templar conflict, the Isu, and a modern-day storyline – 'You can expect it to be expanded at some point, in some fashion'

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...