Overview

This procedure describes how to crop and resize images using Microsoft Paint, which is included with Microsoft Windows.

Getting started

  • Click on the Windows Start icon (see #1 below)
  • Scroll down through the list of programs, find "Windows Accessories" and click on it (see #2 below)
  • Click "Paint" (see #3 below)

    Windows "Start" icon - Windows Accessories - Paint icon

  • Go to File (see #1 below), then Open (see #2 below)
  • Locate the image you want to resize.
  • Double-click on the image file, or single click it and select Open.

Opening a file in Microsoft Paint

To crop your image:

  • Click on the Select button (see #1 below) in the Home tab of the ribbon near the top of the window.
  • Click and drag to select a rectangular area of the picture (see #2 below).
  • Click Crop to remove everything outside of the selection (see #3 below).

 Cropping an image in Microsoft Paint

To resize your image:

  • Make sure that the Select button is not selected by clicking Brushes (see #1 below).
  • Next, click the Resize button (see #2 below) to open the Resize and Skew window.

    Microsoft Paint: "Resize" icon
  • Choose Percentage to scale your image to a certain percent of its current dimensions, or Pixels to set it to a particular width or height.
  • Make sure that "Maintain Aspect Ratio" is checked, then reduce either the "Horizontal" or "Vertical" value and click OK

    Microsoft Paint "Resize and Skew" dialog

  • Choose File, then Save As, and enter a new filename for the image (this will keep your original file intact)::

Microsoft Paint: "File" - "Save as"