How to Remove Audio from a Video on Windows & Mac (Free and Easy)

If you’re working on a desktop or laptop, you might think you need video editing software to mute a video. Good news: you can remove audio from a video on both Windows and Mac without installing any specialized software. In this guide, we’ll explore a couple of free methods:

  • Using a browser-based tool (works on both Windows PC and Mac)
  • Using VLC Media Player (a popular free app many people already have)
  • (Mac-only bonus) Using QuickTime Player (built into macOS)

These approaches cover most scenarios. If you’re at work or using someone else’s computer where you can’t install new programs, the online method is perfect. If you already have VLC or want an offline method, we’ve got that covered too. Let’s start with the simplest solution.

Method 1 – Remove Audio Using an Online Tool (Windows & Mac)

The easiest way to mute a video on any desktop OS is to use your web browser with a tool like Remove-Audio.com. This method requires no downloads (aside from the final muted file) and is very quick:

  1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari – any modern browser works) and navigate to Remove-Audio.com.
  2. On the homepage, click the “Select Video” button. A file dialog will open – browse to the video file on your computer that you want to mute and select it.
  3. Once your video is loaded (you might see the filename or a short preview), click the “Remove Audio” button to start the process.
  4. The tool will process the video right in your browser. Within moments, your browser will prompt you to download the new muted video file (if it doesn’t auto-prompt, there will be a download link you can click).
  5. Save the output video to your computer. Choose a location you’ll remember, like the Desktop or a specific folder.
  6. Now play the downloaded video – you’ll notice it has no sound, while the picture quality is exactly the same as the original. The whole operation likely took only a few seconds (depending on video length).

This method works on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, or even Linux, because it’s not dependent on your OS, only on the browser. It’s also secure and private; as a reminder, Remove-Audio.com doesn’t upload your file to any server, so you don’t have to worry about confidential videos being exposed. Tip: If you have multiple videos to mute, you can do them one after another in the browser. There’s no limit – just process one, download it, then you can select the next file.

Method 2 – Using VLC Media Player (Windows/Mac)

Many people have VLC Media Player installed – it’s a versatile, free video player that can also do some conversions and edits. If you prefer to use software, VLC can remove audio from a video by converting it with no audio. The steps are a bit more involved, but here’s a quick run-through:

Using VLC on Windows:

  1. Open VLC and go to the menu Media > Convert/Save….
  2. In the Open Media dialog, click “Add” and choose the video file you want to mute. Then click “Convert/Save”.
  3. In the Convert dialog, you’ll need to select a Profile for conversion. Choose a profile that matches your source (e.g., “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)”). We will customize it to remove audio.
  4. Click the small wrench (Edit selected profile) icon. Go to the Audio Codec tab. Uncheck the box that says “Audio”.
  5. Choose a destination filename (at the bottom, click “Browse” and set an output file path/name).
  6. Click “Start” to begin the process. VLC will start “streaming” (converting) the file. This may take as long as the video’s duration or shorter, depending on your PC’s speed, since it’s effectively re-encoding the video.
  7. Once done, check the output file. It should have the video but no sound.

Using VLC on Mac: The steps are very similar on VLC for Mac. You would go to File > Convert/Stream…, add the media, and in the Profile settings disable the audio track before saving.

While VLC gets the job done, note that it re-encodes the video in this process (since we used convert). That means the process could be slower and the file size or quality might change slightly depending on settings. Make sure to choose a high-quality profile to preserve video quality if going this route.

Method 3 – Using QuickTime Player (Mac only)

If you’re on a Mac, you have an advantage: QuickTime Player (which comes with macOS) can quickly remove a video’s audio track without needing extra software or complicated steps:

  1. Open the video file in QuickTime Player.
  2. In the menu bar, click Edit > Remove Audio.
  3. Once you remove the audio, the video’s timeline will show it as having no soundtrack.
  4. Click File > Save (or Export if you want to ensure it saves a new file). Save the new video – QuickTime will export it without the audio track.

This method is very fast and preserves quality, as QuickTime simply drops the audio. The only limitation is it’s Mac only. Essentially, it achieves a similar result to Remove-Audio.com but right in the QuickTime interface.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

As we’ve seen, you don’t need expensive video editors to do something as simple as muting a video. Depending on your comfort level:

  • Browser Method: Great for quick results with no setup. Perfect if you’re not tech-savvy or you’re on a restricted computer. Just visit Remove-Audio.com and you’re done in a few clicks.
  • VLC Method: Useful if you already use VLC and don’t mind a slightly technical process. It’s offline and works on both Windows/Mac, but remember to configure the profile correctly to avoid losing video quality.
  • QuickTime Method: Easiest for Mac users who know QuickTime – literally one menu click to remove audio.

Now that your video is silent, you can incorporate it into projects, share it, or add new sound as needed. If you’re interested in more tips, check out our other blog posts or guides. For example, you might want to read 5 Reasons to Remove Audio from Your Videos which explores when it’s beneficial to mute videos. Or if you frequently work on mobile, see our guides for muting videos on iPhone or Android.

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Lastly, whenever you need to mute another video in the future, remember that our online tool is always here for you. Simply head to Remove-Audio.com and follow the easy steps – no installation, no hassle. Enjoy your soundless videos!