2 Easy Ways to Change the Color of Images in MS Paint

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Color swap and replace color in Paint
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While Microsoft Paint is a relatively simple program, it still has neat features such as color replacement. You'll just need the eyedropper tool and eraser tool. This method works best for simple images and colors. Here's how to use color replacement in MS Paint on your Windows 10 or 11 computer.

Replacing Colors in MS Paint

To replace one color with another in Microsoft Paint, use the eyedropper tool to assign Color 1 as the color to be changed and Color 2 as the color to be changed to. Select the eraser tool, then hold right-click as you drag over the color to replace it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows 11

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  1. Open the Microsoft Paint app. Click the Start menu and type "paint" to quickly find it. You can also find it in your list of apps. If you don't have Paint, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store .
    • This works best for simple images and colors without any gradient.
  2. While Paint's color replacement feature can't handle complex colors, you can open a simple Paint project or clip art to edit if need be: [1]
    • Click File in the top-left corner of the Paint window.
    • Click Open in the drop-down menu.
    • Go to the location of the image you want to open.
    • Click the image.
    • Click Open .
    • If you aren't opening an existing file, create the Paint project you want to use before proceeding.
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  3. Click the eyedropper-shaped icon in the "Tools" section at the top of the Paint window.
  4. This will assign the color to the "Color 1" section at the top of the Paint window.
    • You can zoom in to get a better view of the color by clicking + in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  5. Click its icon in the "Tools" section to do so.
    • Skip this step if the color you want to replace the first color with isn't on the canvas.
  6. This will add it to the "Color 2" box, signifying that the "Color 1" box's color will be replaced with the "Color 2" box's color. [2]
    • If you skipped the last step, you'll instead click the Color 2 box at the top of the page and then click the color you want to use from the palette at the top of the window.
  7. Click the pink, eraser-shaped icon in the "Tools" section.
    • If you have Generative erase enabled on the left side, click it to disable it. [3]
  8. This will cause the "Color 2" box's color to replace the "Color 1" box's color without altering any of the other colors on the canvas.
    • Do not use the left mouse button for this step. Doing so will cause the eraser tool to erase anything you drag it across instead of just erasing the color you selected as the one to replace.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Windows 10

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  1. Click the Start menu and type "paint" to quickly find it. You can also find it in your list of apps. If you don't have Paint, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.
    • This works best for simple images and colors without any gradient.
  2. While Paint's color replacement feature can't handle complex colors, you can open a simple Paint project or clip art to edit if need be:
    • Click File in the top-left corner of the Paint window.
    • Click Open in the drop-down menu.
    • Go to the location of the image you want to open.
    • Click the image.
    • Click Open .
    • If you aren't opening an existing file, create the Paint project you want to use before proceeding.
  3. Click the eyedropper-shaped icon in the "Tools" section at the top of the Paint window.
  4. This will assign the color to the "Color 1" section at the top of the Paint window.
    • You can zoom in to get a better view of the color by clicking + in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  5. Click its icon in the "Tools" section to do so.
    • Skip this step if the color you want to replace the first color with isn't on the canvas.
  6. This will add it to the "Color 2" box, signifying that the "Color 1" box's color will be replaced with the "Color 2" box's color.
    • If you skipped the last step, you'll instead click the Color 2 box at the top of the page and then click the color you want to use from the palette at the top of the window.
  7. Click the pink, eraser-shaped icon in the "Tools" section.
  8. This will cause the "Color 2" box's color to replace the "Color 1" box's color without altering any of the other colors on the canvas.
    • Do not use the left mouse button for this step. Doing so will cause the eraser tool to erase anything you drag it across instead of just erasing the color you selected as the one to replace.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I don't even get a yellow circle! What else can I try?
    Community Answer
    If you're on Windows 7+ the circle doesn't appear, but the cursor changes to a small square.
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    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 38
  • Question
    How do I return the page to normal once I am on the black screen?
    Community Answer
    On the top left corner, you will see two arrows. Select the one that's blue, but furthest to the left or press Ctrl-z.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 8
  • Question
    It says to drag the mouse while holding right click. But I'm using a laptop, I can't do that! What do I do?
    Community Answer
    If you have a two-button touch pad, use one hand to right click and one hand to drag.
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      Tips

      • Make sure you're using the eyedropper to select the first color. Failing to do so may cause the eraser to apply your "Color 2" color to everything it touches.
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      Warnings

      • Sometimes, a colored outline will be left surrounding an object for which you replaced the color. You will have to get rid of this outline manually.
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      • These steps will only work for MS Paint versions 6.1 and higher.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000759.htm
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/qLHTKB_4Vfs?t=21
      3. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/2576624/microsoft-paint-adds-ai-feature-that-erases-unwanted-objects-in-images.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click the eyedropper tool.
      2. Click the color you want to replace.
      3. Click the eyedropper tool again.
      4. Right-click the replacement color.
      5. Click the eraser tool.
      6. Right-click and drag the color you want to replace.

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