How to Make Background Transparent in MS Paint?

Microsoft Paint is a simple and minimalistic editor that may not offer all the advanced functions of a fully-fledged editor like Adobe Photoshop. However, the recent Windows updates have enhanced Paint with new features, enabling you to accomplish more than before.

Creating Transparent Backgrounds in Microsoft Paint
Creating Transparent Backgrounds in Microsoft Paint

Setting aside the app’s basic operations, one notable new feature in Paint permits the creation of transparent backgrounds in images, which was not possible before.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of using Microsoft Paint to make the background of an image transparent.

Install Windows Updates — IMPORTANT

Before delving into the process, it’s crucial to ensure that you are running the latest version of Windows on your PC. The features we’ll discuss are available in recent updates, specifically in the Windows 23H2 version.

To gain access to these new features, installing available Windows updates is key.

  1. Press the Win key + I shortcut to open the Settings app.
  2. Within the Settings app, go to the Windows Update section.
  3. Select the Check for updates button to search for any available Windows updates.
    Checking for Windows Updates
    Checking for Windows Updates
  4. Download and install any updates found.

1. Create Transparent Backgrounds in Microsoft Paint

There are two methods to eliminate the background in an image using Microsoft Paint. The first method involves the newly added Remove Background feature in Paint, which can automatically discern and eliminate backgrounds from pictures.

The second method involves the Transparent Selection option, which allows for manual selection of the desired areas for background removal. We will explore both methods next.

1.1. Using Remove Background

  1. Open the Microsoft Paint app on your PC by searching for it in the Start Menu.
    Opening Microsoft Paint
    Opening Microsoft Paint
  2. Open your image in the Paint window using either a drag and drop method or the File > Open menu.
    Opening File in Paint
    Opening File in Paint
  3. Once your image is open in Paint, select the Remove Background feature from the Image toolset, referring to the provided image for guidance.
    Removing Background in Paint
    Removing Background in Paint
  4. Paint will now automatically detect and remove the background from your image.
    Creating Transparent Backgrounds in Microsoft Paint
    Creating Transparent Backgrounds in Microsoft Paint
  5. Save your newly edited photo using the CTRL + S shortcut or by choosing the File > Save as option.
    Saving Output Image
    Saving Output Image
  6. Note: Using the CTRL + S shortcut will overwrite the original image with the new, transparent-background version.

1.2. Using Transparent Selection

  1. Launch the Paint app by searching for it from the Start Menu.
    Opening Microsoft Paint
    Opening Microsoft Paint
  2. Open your image in Paint by selecting File > Open or by dragging and dropping it into Paint.
    Opening File in Paint
    Opening File in Paint
  3. With your image open, click on the Selection menu and choose the Transparent Selection option.
    Enabling Transparent Selection
    Enabling Transparent Selection
  4. Next, go back to the Selection menu and choose the Free-form selection tool.
  5. Proceed to trace around the parts of the image you want to preserve.
    Tracing Image for Selection
    Tracing Image for Selection
  6. After tracing, hit CTRL + C to copy the selection.
  7. Then open the Layers menu.
    Enabling Layers in Paint
    Enabling Layers in Paint
  8. Add a new layer by clicking the + icon.
    Adding a New Layer
    Adding a New Layer
  9. Select this new layer and press CTRL + V to paste your traced image.
  10. Right-click the original layer and select Delete layer to remove it.
    Deleting Layer in Paint
    Deleting Layer in Paint
  11. Finally, go to File > Save as to save the image to your computer.
    Saving Output Image
    Saving Output Image

2. Other Services and Tools

Besides Microsoft Paint, several online services allow you to remove backgrounds from images and create transparent ones. There are numerous options available for this purpose.

You can also use more advanced image editors like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop for editing your images. These tools offer enhanced functionality and a suite of features for detailed picture editing.

Removing Background via RemoveBG
Removing Background via RemoveBG

A prominent online service for background removal is RemoveBG. Simply upload your image, and it will remove the background within seconds. After processing, a download button will be provided for you to save the transparent image.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.