How-to guide / Microsoft Paint
How to remove a background in Microsoft Paint
Paint in Windows 11 has a built-in Remove background button that runs on your PC.
You’ll need: Windows 11 with the updated Paint app from the Microsoft Store.
Open the image in Paint
Right-click the image → Open with → Paint.
Click Remove background
It’s in the Image section of the toolbar. Paint removes the background from the whole image, or from a selection if you made one.
Save as PNG
File → Save as → PNG picture; JPG would put a white background back.
What Microsoft Paint can’t do well
No edge refinement or restore brush. Only on Windows 11’s updated Paint, not Windows 10’s classic Paint.
Questions people ask
I don’t see Remove background in Paint. Why?
You need the current Paint app on Windows 11. Update it from the Microsoft Store. Classic Paint on Windows 10 doesn’t have the feature.
Does Paint support transparent layers?
Recent Paint versions on Windows 11 support layers and transparency; save as PNG to keep it.
Is there a faster way than Microsoft Paint?
If you just need the cutout, drop the picture into QuickCut’s free background remover: no signup, a transparent PNG in seconds, with edge controls and erase/restore brushes. Then open the PNG in Microsoft Paint.