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In Microsoft Paint, if I do, "selection rectangle", and then "delete", I get a checkered background. This did not happen before.

I do Not have "Transparent selection" in settings.

How can I fix this? Currently using latest version Microsoft Paint 11.2308.30.0

This recently started occurring, and seems to be a bug in latest version.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Update per user comment:

Microsoft Paint now supports layers and image transparency.

In this new version, "erasing content on one layer yields the effect of revealing the content on the layers beneath it." If the layer is empty, the placeholder is a checkered area.

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    I don't know Paint at all, but if you cut a hole in your only image layer, then there is nothing behind it. This is represented, in pretty much all graphics apps, as a grey/white check.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 6:39
  • hi @Tetsujin yeah, this issue didnt happen last week, might be accidental setting change, however I can't find it, thanks
    – mattsmith5
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 6:54
  • In photoshop, if your background layer is locked, rather than cutting a hole, you are offered a fill instead, where you can choose either a plain colour, or 'smart' fill based on the surrounding image. If the layer is unlocked - you get a hole.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 6:56
  • hi @Tetsujin can you write a solution and I can send points? thanks
    – mattsmith5
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 13:49
  • I believe it's what's referred to as an alpha channel.
    – Arctiic
    Commented Nov 7, 2023 at 21:47

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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To restore a white background, here's a possible solution:

  • Click the Layers icon.
  • Click Create new layer icon. Drag it to the bottom.
  • Click Show Layer. Flood fill it with a white background.
  • Click Hide Layer. Select the original image.

Now when editing your original image, it'll behave like the old paint tool.

white-bkg

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    So many steps, would need to save and load a blank.png and hope I don't overwrite it. Resizing (increasing) top image reveals checkerboard, I figure no way around it?
    – OverLordGoldDragon
    Commented Nov 7, 2023 at 13:08
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Microsoft Paint now supports layers and image transparency.

In this new version, "erasing content on one layer yields the effect of revealing the content on the layers beneath it." If the layer is empty, the placeholder is a checkered area.

Improve this answer
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  • Ahhh, that's why. I really don't know Paint at all, so I wouldn't have even guessed it wasn't capable of transparency until now. Makes perfect sense.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 15:41
  • thanks, so how do I get it back to the original functionality? I want to get white background, or are you saying its not possible anymore? no workaround?
    – mattsmith5
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 20:31
  • It is possible to uninstall MS Paint, winaero.com/uninstall-microsoft-paint-in-windows-10-mspaint , but finding a safe copy of the old version might be difficult. From FileHorse: "This software is no longer available for the download." Suggestion: either learn to live with it, or try one of the many alternatives: alternativeto.net/software/microsoft-paint
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 20:36
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    @mattsmith5 Where's this complaining that I can join?
    – OverLordGoldDragon
    Commented Nov 7, 2023 at 13:10
  • @OverLordGoldDragon, , you might get more satisfaction from Python arguments: youtube.com/watch?v=uLlv_aZjHXc
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    Commented Nov 7, 2023 at 16:34
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This feature (layers and image transparency) seems to be introduced in September 2023 and doesn't actually allow to be turned off.

Doing what vengy proposes for each and every image being edited is a natural madness and will drive even the most sane person crazy.

What worked for me was to uninstall Paint and replace it with a classic version:

  1. Uninstalling can be done by simply right-clicking Paint icon in Start Menu and selecting Uninstall from context menu.
  2. Classic Paint can be get from here or here.
  3. Download and install it.
  4. Go to Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → More settings → App execution aliases.
  5. Toggle the switch to Off for mspaint.exe and pbrush.exe items:

A thing to consider is pinning Classic Paint‘s icon to Start Menu or taskbar.

The biggest advantage of this change is of course to get ol' good "remove to background color" feature.

But the nifty addition was to get "Edit with Classic Paint" option in image files' context menu. Long time considered lost and very happily welcomed back (the Open with → Paint dual click feature was driving me crazy, honestly speaking).

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