Google Drive Makes Video Editing Significantly Easier with New "Open" Button
Google has streamlined video editing within Google Drive, significantly improving the user experience. A new "Open" button, located in the upper right corner of video previews, directly launches the video into Google Vids for editing. This eliminates the previous cumbersome process of downloading, editing, and re-uploading files, a considerable improvement for users who regularly edit videos stored in Google Drive.
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| Google Drive Has a New Feature for Videos |
Seamless Integration with Google Vids
Clicking the "Open" button instantly opens the video in Google Vids, enabling users to perform various edits, including trimming clips, adding text and music, and more. This simplified workflow makes basic video editing accessible without requiring complex external software. This is particularly beneficial for users with large storage plans (such as 2TB Google Drive subscriptions) who previously faced significant inconvenience due to the download/upload cycle.
Important Considerations: New File Creation and Limitations
It's crucial to note that opening a video in Google Vids creates a *new* Vids file. Therefore, users still need to follow the standard saving and exporting procedures to preserve their edits in their desired format. Additionally, the feature has limitations: individual clips are capped at 35 minutes in length and 4GB in file size.
Rollout Timeline and Availability
The new feature is currently rolling out gradually, with Google estimating a rollout period of up to 15 days for complete visibility across all users on both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. The feature is enabled by default for Google Workspace users, but administrators have the option to disable it at the organizational level. It's important to note that if Google Docs access is disabled for a domain, Google Vids access will also be unavailable.
Part of Broader Drive Enhancements
This latest enhancement builds upon Google's ongoing improvements to Drive's video capabilities. Recent updates include a new video player (released last October) and the addition of Gemini AI video summarization (May 2025).
Google Workspace and Plan Compatibility
Currently, the new video editing shortcut is available for various Google Workspace plans, including Business Starter, Standard, and Plus, as well as all Enterprise, Essentials, and Nonprofits plans. It also supports Gemini Education and Gemini Education Premium add-ons, along with Google AI Pro and Ultra. However, the feature is *not* currently available for personal Google accounts.
Rollout Timing for Personal Accounts (Google One)
Users with personal Google accounts (like Google One subscribers) may experience a delay in receiving the update. Given Google's 15-day rollout timeframe, the latest possible appearance of the feature would be around September 6th, 2025. Users are encouraged to check daily for the appearance of the "Open" button.