Convert a PNG with Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint is the fastest built-in option for a quick format change. Open your file in Paint (right-click the PNG, choose Open with → Paint), then go to File → Save as and pick a format — JPEG picture, BMP picture, or GIF picture. Choose a filename and click Save.
One important catch: Paint can't keep transparency. The moment it saves to JPEG, BMP, or GIF, every transparent area is flattened to solid white. That's fine for a screenshot or a photo, but if your PNG has a see-through background you'll lose it. For a deeper walkthrough, see convert a PNG in Paint, or jump straight to a PNG to JPG conversion.
Use the Photos app to resize and save a copy
The Windows Photos app is handy when you want to adjust an image before exporting. Double-click the PNG to open it in Photos, then click the ... (See more) menu in the top-right. From there you can choose Resize to change the dimensions or Save as to write a copy.
Keep in mind that Photos is built for editing and viewing, not format conversion — it generally saves the copy in the same format as the original. When you need an actual PNG-to-JPG or PNG-to-WebP conversion, reach for Paint or an online converter instead.
Convert online to keep transparency and reach WebP
The built-in apps can't write modern formats like WebP or AVIF, and Paint destroys transparency. A browser-based converter solves both problems with nothing to install: drop your PNG into the page and it produces the format you want while preserving the transparent background that Paint can't.
Use it to convert PNG to WebP for smaller, faster web images, or to convert PNG to JPG without opening any desktop software. Browse every option on the tools page.
Batch-convert many PNGs on Windows
When you have a folder full of PNGs, converting them one by one is painful. Two free options handle batches well. IrfanView has a dedicated File → Batch Conversion/Rename dialog where you add files, pick an output format and folder, and process them all in one pass.
For a command-line approach, ImageMagick can convert an entire folder at once. After installing it, open a terminal in the folder and run mogrify -format jpg *.png to turn every PNG into a JPG. It's scriptable, fast, and ideal for repeatable workflows.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does my PNG have a white background after using Paint?
- Microsoft Paint can't keep transparency. When it saves your PNG as JPEG, BMP, or GIF, it fills every transparent area with solid white. To keep a transparent background, convert online or use a tool that supports an alpha channel instead.
- Can I convert a PNG to WebP on Windows without installing anything?
- Yes. Paint and the Photos app don't write WebP, but a browser-based converter does. Drop the PNG into the page and it produces a WebP file while preserving transparency — no download or install required.
- How do I convert lots of PNG files at once on Windows?
- Use a batch-capable tool. IrfanView has a Batch Conversion dialog under File, and ImageMagick can convert a whole folder from the command line with a single mogrify command. Both are free.
- Does the Windows Photos app convert PNG to JPG?
- Not directly. The Photos app lets you resize and tweak an image and save a copy, but it keeps the original format. For a true PNG-to-JPG conversion, use Paint's Save as menu or an online converter.