Paint has been thoroughly refreshed in Windows 11, with layers, background removal, dark mode and AI features. Still, it remains above all a quick tool for cropping a screenshot, highlighting something or making an image smaller. These keyboard shortcuts make you a lot faster.
Basics
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New image |
| Ctrl + O | Open |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| F12 | Save as |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / redo |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + C / Ctrl + X / Ctrl + V | Copy / cut / paste |
| Delete | Delete selection |
| Alt + F4 | Close Paint |
Edit the image
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + W | Resize and skew |
| Ctrl + Shift + X | Crop to selection |
| Ctrl + E | Image properties (canvas size) |
| Ctrl + I / B / U | Italic / bold / underline (in text) |
| Arrow keys | Move a selection |
| Esc | Cancel a selection or drawing action |
| Shift while drawing | Straight line, perfect square or perfect circle |
View
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Page Up / Ctrl + Page Down | Zoom in and out |
| Ctrl + mouse wheel | Zoom in and out |
| Ctrl + R | Show or hide rulers |
| Ctrl + G | Show or hide gridlines |
| F11 | Full screen |
Note: in the older Paint on Windows 10, Ctrl + + and Ctrl + - make the line or brush thicker and thinner. In the new Paint the behavior can differ between versions. Ctrl + Page Up and Page Down always work for zooming.
Quickly edit a screenshot
The most common task in Paint is cleaning up a screenshot. Here's how with just the keyboard and a few clicks:
- Take a screenshot with Windows + Shift + S. More shortcuts like this are in the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11.
- Open Paint and paste with Ctrl + V.
- Select the part you want to keep and press Ctrl + Shift + X to crop.
- Press Ctrl + W and shrink the image, for example to 50 percent, with Maintain aspect ratio checked.
- Highlight something with the Rectangle shape in a striking color and save as PNG with F12.
New in Paint
- Remove background with one click: Paint recognizes the subject and makes the background transparent.
- Layers to edit, hide or move elements separately. In recent versions you can save your work as a Paint project, so the layers are preserved. A PNG or JPG merges the layers.
- Dark mode: by default Paint follows the Windows setting, but in Paint's settings you can also choose light or dark yourself.
- Create images with AI (on supported PCs and with a Microsoft account). Some features only work on Copilot+ PCs and availability differs by region. An overview is in AI features in Windows 11.
Common problems
A shortcut does nothing. Check that you're not typing in a text box: the text shortcuts apply there. Click the canvas first or press Esc.
The transparent background is white after saving. Save as PNG. JPG doesn't support transparency.
Paint is missing or outdated. Paint is updated through the Microsoft Store. Search for Paint there and select Update or Install. On managed work PCs your admin may turn off the Store or certain AI features. Need more than Paint offers? See the best free drawing software for Windows.
Most shortcuts also work in the older Paint on Windows 10. Also see the OneNote shortcuts.
Nederlandstalige versie: De handigste sneltoetsen voor Paint in Windows