Removing the background from an image can significantly enhance its visual impact or make it more adaptable for various design purposes. With the recent updates to Microsoft's Paint app on Windows 11, this task has become simpler than ever. In this guide, we'll explore the most effective methods to make image backgrounds transparent using Paint, Paint 3D, and other tools.

Using the Remove Background Tool in Paint

The updated Paint app in Windows 11 introduces a powerful 'Remove Background' feature that allows you to make image backgrounds transparent with just one click. Here's how to use this new tool:

Step 1: Open the Paint app on your Windows 11 computer.

Step 2: Click on the 'File' tab and select 'Open' to browse and select the image you wish to edit.

Alternative: You can also navigate to your image in File Explorer, right-click on it, and choose 'Open with' followed by 'Paint'.

Step 3: Once the image is loaded in Paint, locate the 'Remove Background' button in the 'Image' section of the toolbar (it's represented by an icon of a person with striped lines) and click on it.

Step 4: Within a few seconds, Paint will automatically remove the background, leaving a checkered pattern that indicates transparency.

Step 5: If any parts of the background remain or if the tool missed any areas, you can fine-tune the image using the 'Eraser' tool to manually erase those sections.

Step 6: To save your image with a transparent background, click on the 'File' tab, select 'Save as', and choose 'PNG picture' to preserve the transparency.

Step 7: Select the destination folder, rename the file if desired, and click the 'Save' button.

This tool effectively detects the edges of the subject and removes the background without significant flaws. Additionally, Paint maintains the original resolution of your image, so there's no loss in quality.

Using the Transparent Selection Tool in Paint

If the 'Remove Background' tool doesn't produce the desired results, especially with images that have complex backgrounds or similar shades, you can use the 'Transparent Selection' method for manual background removal. Here's how:

Step 1: Open the Paint app and load your image by clicking on the 'File' tab and selecting 'Open'. Alternatively, right-click your image file, select 'Open with', and choose 'Paint'.

Step 2: Click on the 'Select' button in the toolbar and enable the 'Transparent selection' option from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Click 'Select' again and choose 'Free-form selection'.

Step 4: Carefully trace around the subject of your image using your mouse cursor. This defines the area you want to keep while making the rest of the image transparent. For example, if you're working with a picture of a dog, trace around its body.

Step 5: After completing the tracing, a dotted rectangle will appear around your selected area.

Step 6: Click and drag the selected area slightly to confirm that it has been correctly isolated from the background.

Step 7: Go back to the 'Select' menu and choose 'Invert selection'.

Step 8: Press the Delete key on your keyboard to remove the background.

Alternative Method: After selecting the subject, you can copy or cut it using Ctrl+C or Ctrl+X. Then, press Ctrl+N to open a new Paint window (choose 'Don't save' if prompted). Paste the subject into the new window using Ctrl+V.

Step 9: To save your image with a transparent background, click on 'File', select 'Save as', and choose 'PNG picture'.

Step 10: Select the location where you want to save the image, enter a file name, and click 'Save'.

Keep in mind that while Paint allows you to create images with transparent backgrounds, the transparency may not be preserved when saving the file as a PNG. If the background appears white or black after saving, consider using Paint 3D or another image editing program that supports transparency.

Remove Backgrounds from Images in Paint 3D

Paint 3D offers more advanced features compared to the classic Paint app, including better support for transparent backgrounds and 3D model editing. Here's how to use Paint 3D to make your image background transparent:

Step 1: Launch Paint 3D from the Windows search bar. If you don't have it installed, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.

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Step 2: In Paint 3D, click on 'Menu', then select 'Open' and choose 'Browse files' to locate and open your image.

Step 3: Navigate to your image, select it, and click 'Open'.

Step 4: Once your image is open, select the 'Magic select' tool located in the top toolbar.

Step 5: Adjust the selection borders to closely fit around your subject. This helps the tool to accurately detect the edges.

Step 6: Click 'Next', and Paint 3D will automatically identify the subject within the selection.

Step 7: If any areas are incorrectly selected or omitted, use the 'Add' or 'Remove' buttons in the right-hand pane to fine-tune the selection. Use your cursor to mark areas to include or exclude.

Step 8: After adjusting the selection, click 'Done' to isolate the subject from the background.

Step 9: To remove the background completely, switch to the 'Canvas' tab in the top ribbon and toggle off the 'Show canvas' option. This will make the background transparent.

Step 10: Click on 'Menu', select 'Save as', and choose 'Image' to proceed with saving your edited image.

Step 11: In the save options, select 'PNG' as the file format to preserve transparency. Make sure the 'Transparency' toggle is turned on, then click 'Save'.

Step 12: Choose a save location, enter a file name, and click 'Save' to finalize the process.

You have now successfully created an image with a transparent background using Paint 3D. This method provides more control and is suitable for images where the subject and background have similar colors.

Other Ways to Make a Background Transparent

If you require more advanced tools or the above methods don't yield the desired results, consider these alternatives:

  • Adobe Photoshop: A professional photo editing software that offers powerful features like the Magic Wand tool for precise background removal. It's a paid application but provides extensive capabilities for image editing.
  • Online Background Removal Tools: Websites like remove.bg allow you to upload your image and automatically remove the background. These services are quick and easy to use but may have limitations regarding image size and format.
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By utilizing these methods, you can easily remove backgrounds from images on Windows 11, whether you prefer the simplicity of Paint, the advanced features of Paint 3D, or other specialized tools.