MS Paint Saving and Exporting Images

Saving a file in MS Paint stores the drawing permanently on the computer so it can be reopened, edited, printed, or shared later. MS Paint supports several image file formats, each suited to different purposes. Choosing the right format is just as important as creating the drawing itself — the wrong format can result in a blurry image, an unnecessarily large file, or a file that other programs cannot open correctly.

The Save Options in MS Paint

MS Paint provides two save methods accessible through the File menu (click the blue File button at the top-left of the ribbon):

• Save – saves the current file using its existing file name and format. If the file has never been saved before, this opens the Save As dialog.
• Save As – opens a dialog box to choose a new file name, save location, and file format. Use Save As to save a copy under a different name or in a different format.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl + S – Save
• Save As does not have a direct keyboard shortcut — use the File menu

How to Save a File for the First Time

1. Press Ctrl + S or click File > Save
2. The Save As dialog box opens (since the file has no name yet)
3. Navigate to the folder where the file should be saved
4. Type a name in the File name field at the bottom
5. Click the Save as type dropdown to choose a file format
6. Click Save

File Formats Supported by MS Paint

MS Paint saves images in five main file formats. Each format has specific strengths and ideal use cases.

1. BMP (Bitmap)

BMP is the default format for MS Paint. BMP files store every pixel's colour information without any compression. This makes BMP files very high quality but also very large in file size. BMP is suitable for temporary work and situations where the image will be edited further in MS Paint.

• File size: Very large
• Quality: No quality loss (lossless)
• Best for: Temporary work, full-quality storage
• Extension: .bmp

2. PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

PNG is the recommended format for most MS Paint work. PNG compresses image data without losing any quality (lossless compression), making files significantly smaller than BMP while keeping the same visual quality. PNG is the best choice for drawings, diagrams, and screenshots that need to be sharp and clear.

• File size: Smaller than BMP, larger than JPEG
• Quality: No quality loss (lossless)
• Best for: Drawings, diagrams, screenshots, images with text
• Extension: .png

3. JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

JPEG compresses images very aggressively, resulting in very small file sizes. However, JPEG uses lossy compression — some image quality is permanently lost each time the file is saved. JPEG works well for photographs where a small file size matters more than pixel-perfect quality. It is not ideal for drawings, text, or images with sharp edges, because JPEG compression creates blurry artefacts around these elements.

• File size: Very small
• Quality: Quality degrades each time saved (lossy)
• Best for: Photographs, images for email or web where file size is critical
• Extension: .jpg or .jpeg

4. GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)

GIF supports only 256 colours in a single image. This makes it suitable for simple drawings, logos, and icons with limited colours. GIF also supports basic animation (multiple frames), though MS Paint does not create animated GIFs. GIF files are small but the 256-colour limit makes photos and complex drawings look flat and degraded.

• File size: Small
• Quality: Limited to 256 colours
• Best for: Simple logos, icons, flat-colour graphics
• Extension: .gif

5. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)

TIFF is a professional-grade format used in printing and publishing. TIFF files preserve full image quality without compression and are compatible with professional design software. TIFF files are large and are typically used only when sending files to a professional printer or working with desktop publishing software.

• File size: Very large
• Quality: No quality loss (lossless)
• Best for: Professional printing and publishing
• Extension: .tif or .tiff

Which Format to Choose?

Setting an Image as Desktop Wallpaper

MS Paint includes a built-in option to set the current drawing as the Windows desktop background (wallpaper):

1. Complete the drawing
2. Click the File menu
3. Hover over Set as desktop background
4. Choose from: Fill, Tile, or Center

• Fill – stretches the image to cover the entire screen
• Tile – repeats the image in a grid pattern across the screen
• Center – places the image in the centre of the screen with empty space around it

Opening an Existing Image in MS Paint

To open and edit an image that is already saved on the computer:

1. Click File > Open or press Ctrl + O
2. Browse to the image file
3. Click the file and click Open

Alternatively, right-click any image file in Windows File Explorer and choose Open with > Paint to open it directly in MS Paint.

New File

To start a new blank canvas:

• Click File > New or press Ctrl + N

If there are unsaved changes in the current drawing, MS Paint asks whether to save before opening a new file. Always save before starting a new drawing to avoid losing work.

Practical Exercise

1. Draw a simple landscape on the canvas
2. Save it as a PNG file named landscape.png in a folder on the desktop
3. Save a second copy as a JPEG file named landscape.jpg
4. Compare the two file sizes in Windows File Explorer — notice PNG is larger but sharper
5. Open the JPEG version in MS Paint and zoom in — observe any blurriness around edges
6. Try setting the PNG version as the desktop background using the Center option