How to remove the background from a picture in Paint on Windows 11

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 4 steps · Published 6 October 2026

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

Real screenshots

3 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Open the picture in Paint

   Open Paint from Start, click File, Open and choose the picture. We used a Windows wallpaper.

   Done

2. 

   Click Remove background

   It is in the Image group on the toolbar, below Crop. Point at it to see its name.

   Done

3. 

   Wait a few seconds

   The background disappears and the subject stays. Ours took about five seconds. Undo brings the background back.

   Done

4. 

   Save as PNG

   Click File, Save as and choose PNG picture. JPEG has no transparency and fills the background with white. We did not save ours.

   Done

About this guide

Paint in Windows 11 can cut a person or object out of a photo with one click. It worked on our PC without signing in.

The screenshots are our own, taken on Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457) running as a Microsoft Cloud PC, a Windows PC that runs in the cloud. The Settings app is the same on Home and Pro PCs; where the Cloud PC shows something different, the step says so.

Good to know

Remove background works on the whole picture, or on an area you selected first.

It works best with a clear subject, such as a person or a product, against a plain background.

In short: Paint, open the picture, Image group, Remove background, File, Save as, PNG picture.