
Microsoft Paint is a simple software application that allows users to edit images and create basic drawings. One common task in Paint is resizing images, which can be done by clicking on the 'Resize' button in the toolbar and adjusting the image's dimensions. However, a common issue faced by users is how to drag an image to resize it while maintaining the correct aspect ratio. Several methods have been suggested, including holding Shift while dragging, using the Resize window, and right-clicking the image to access the Resize option. Additionally, it is recommended to make a copy of the original image before resizing to avoid accidental modifications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Software | Microsoft Paint |
| File Format | PNG |
| Aspect Ratio | Maintain aspect ratio by checking the box |
| Image Size | Type a number between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box |
| Image Selection | Ctrl-A to select the entire image |
| Image Cropping | Click in the top-left corner and drag diagonally into the bottom-right corner |
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What You'll Learn

Make a copy of the original image
It is always a good idea to make a copy of the original image before resizing it. This way, you will have the original image in its original size, and you can make changes to the copy.
To make a copy of the image, go to the image file, right-click on it, and select "Copy" or "Copy Image" from the drop-down menu. Then, right-click on an empty space in the folder or on your desktop and select "Paste" from the menu. Now, you have a copy of the original image.
You can also use the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste the image, respectively. Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl+W shortcut to open the image's resize window directly.
Now that you have a copy of the image, you can open it in Microsoft Paint by right-clicking on the copy and selecting "Open with" > "Paint." This will open the image in the Paint application, where you can make your desired size adjustments while retaining the original image.
Once you have made a copy and opened it in Paint, you can begin the process of resizing while maintaining the aspect ratio.
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Open the image in Microsoft Paint
To open an image in Microsoft Paint, you can either right-click on the image file and select 'Open with' and then ''Paint' from the pop-out menu, or you can open Paint first and then insert the image.
To open Paint first, click the "Start" button, then "All Programs," followed by "Accessories" and finally "Paint". Once Paint is open, hold the "Ctrl" key and press "O" to invoke the "Open" selection window. Double-click the image you wish to insert from the Open selection window.
If you are using an early version of Paint, such as on Microsoft Windows 95, Windows NT or an earlier version of Microsoft Windows, you will only be able to open .bmp or bitmap images. If you are using Windows XP or later, you can open GIF, JPG, or other supported image file formats.
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Click the 'Resize' button
To resize an image in Microsoft Paint, first, make a copy of the image you want to resize so you can retain the original. Then, open the image in Microsoft Paint.
Now, click the "Resize" button in the toolbar at the top of the window. You can find the "Resize" button in the middle-right section of the toolbar. When the Resize window opens, make sure "Percentage" is selected at the top so your image’s changes will be measured in percentages.
Check the “Maintain aspect ratio” box to ensure your image doesn’t get distorted. If you want to resize using pixels, type the number of vertical pixels you want to use into the "Vertical" text box. You can also uncheck the "Maintain aspect ratio" box and enter a different number in the "Horizontal" text box if needed.
Finally, type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the “Horizontal” text box to shrink or expand your image when you press “OK”.
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Check the 'Maintain aspect ratio' box
When resizing an image in Microsoft Paint, it is important to check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to ensure that your image doesn't become distorted. This box is located in the "Resize" window, which can be accessed by clicking the "Resize" button in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the Paint window.
Checking the "Maintain aspect ratio" box ensures that any changes you make to one aspect of your image, such as the vertical size, will also scale with the other aspects. For example, if you want to shrink an image to 75% of its original size, you would change the horizontal and vertical values to 75. Checking the "Maintain aspect ratio" box will ensure that the image reduces in size proportionally, maintaining its original shape.
It is also important to note that you should first make a copy of the image you want to resize so that you still have the original version. This can be done by right-clicking on the image, selecting "Copy," and then pasting the copied image into a new file. Once you have made a copy, you can open the image in Microsoft Paint and click the "Resize" button to access the "Maintain aspect ratio" box.
Additionally, when resizing your image, you can choose to measure your changes in percentages or pixels. If you select "Percentage," you can type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or expand your image. If you select "Pixels," you can enter the specific vertical and horizontal pixel counts you want in the respective text boxes.
By following these steps and checking the "Maintain aspect ratio" box, you can resize your images in Microsoft Paint while preserving their original proportions and avoiding any distortion.
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Save your image
To save your image in Microsoft Paint, press Ctrl+S. This will save your copied image as a cropped file rather than the original image. You can also go to File > Save as and save the image as a PNG file.
It is important to note that if you do not want to modify the original image, you should make a copy of it before resizing. To do this, right-click on the image and click "Copy" in the drop-down menu. Then, right-click on an empty space in the folder or on the desktop and click "Paste". Now, right-click on the copied image and select "Open with" > "Paint".
When resizing an image in Paint, you can either drag the area you want to resize with your mouse or press Ctrl-A to select the entire image. Then, right-click on your selection and select "Resize" from the context menu. Make sure that the "'Maintain aspect ratio' box is checked to prevent your image from distorting. Enter a percentage between 1 and 500 in the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or enlarge your image. You can also enter the number of vertical pixels you want to use in the "Vertical" text box. Finally, click "OK" to apply your changes.
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Frequently asked questions
First, make a copy of the image you want to resize so that you still have the original. Open the copy in Paint and click the "Resize" button in the toolbar at the top of the window. Make sure to select "Percentage" at the top, then check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box. Type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or enlarge the image, then press "OK".
Open Paint and choose the image you want to resize. Drag the area with your mouse that you want to resize, or press Ctrl-A to select it all. Then right-click on your selection and you will see an option to resize your image. Change the percentage to pixels and enter the desired dimensions. You may need to uncheck "Maintain aspect ratio" to set the desired dimensions.
Press Ctrl+S to save your image.
Click in the top-left corner of the image and drag diagonally to the bottom right. To start over, click outside of the area surrounded by dotted lines. Click "Crop" in the "Image" section of options to remove everything outside of the dotted lines.
Check the box next to "Maintain aspect ratio" before resizing your image. This will ensure that any changes you make to one aspect of the image (e.g. vertical size) will scale with the other aspects.






























