How to Remove a Background in MS Paint (Windows 11) and What to Do on Older Paint
imgmend Team
AI Image Tools
Windows 11 Paint has a Remove background button. Here is how to use it, how to save a transparent PNG, and what to do if your version of Paint cannot make transparent backgrounds.
In current versions of Windows 11, MS Paint has a Remove background button in the Image group: open the picture, click Remove background, and save the result as a PNG to keep it transparent. Older versions of Paint cannot save a transparent background, so use a free AI background remover instead.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Paint (current) | Image group → Remove background |
| Save with transparency | File → Save as → PNG |
| Older Paint (Windows 10 and earlier) | No reliable transparent background; use another tool |
| Free fallback | imgmend background remover in any browser |
Remove the Background in Windows 11 Paint
- Open the picture in Paint (right-click it → Open with → Paint).
- In the toolbar, find the Image group and click Remove background.
- Paint removes the background automatically and shows the subject on a transparent (checkerboard) area.
- To remove the background from only part of the picture, select that area first, then click Remove background.
- Choose File → Save as → PNG picture and save.
Always save as PNG. Saving as JPEG replaces the transparent area with a solid color. If you do not see the button, update Windows and the Paint app from the Microsoft Store, because the feature arrived in updates to Paint on Windows 11.
What About Older Versions of Paint?
Classic Paint on Windows 10 and earlier does not save a transparent background, so the tricks you may find online, such as selecting and deleting the white, leave an opaque image. If your Paint has no Remove background button, remove the background elsewhere and then bring the PNG back into Paint for any further editing.
Free Method That Works in Any Browser
- Open imgmend.com/remove-background and upload your JPG, PNG or WebP.
- Wait 10–30 seconds while the AI removes the background.
- Download the transparent PNG.
Free use is 3 images per day with no account; free downloads carry a small watermark that Pro removes. Hair, fur and low-contrast edges are hard for every automatic tool. If the edge looks rough, see how to clean up cutout edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove the background in MS Paint?
In current Windows 11 Paint, open the picture and click Remove background in the Image group, then save as PNG.
How do I make a background transparent in Paint?
Use Remove background, then File → Save as → PNG. A JPEG save would fill the transparent area with a solid color.
Why does my Paint not have a Remove background button?
It is only in newer versions of Paint on Windows 11. Update the app through Windows Update or the Microsoft Store, or use a browser-based tool.
Can classic Paint make transparent PNGs?
No, not reliably. Use a background remover to create the transparent PNG first.
Remove a background free in your browser →
Related: make a background transparent · remove a background in PowerPoint
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