How To Crop Images in Windows: Quick And Easy Ways

How to crop images in Windows using CapCut desktop video editor

CapCut desktop video editor helps you enhance your photos with smart AI tools. It quickly fixes brightness, colors, and sharpness to give images a clear look. You can also resize and crop photos easily to fit any need. Additionally, you can easily change backgrounds in just a few clicks and do photo editing fast to post on social media or for professional use.

Key features:

• Quickly resize and crop images

The image resizer and image cropper enable you to remove unnecessary parts and create a neat, balanced image ready to share on any social media platform.

• Set custom thumbnail sizes

It offers full control to create thumbnails in any dimension, ensuring every image fits perfectly across platforms and social media posts.

• Enhance photos with AI

Smart AI tools automatically enhance lighting, color, and sharpness, giving photos a bright appearance with minimal manual effort.

• Apply filters and effects

With CapCut video effects and filters, your project can be styled in seconds using creative filters and effects that add mood, texture, and professional appeal.

• Drag to adjust and crop

The drag-to-crop feature enables smooth, direct control over photo framing, making editing fast, precise, and visually satisfying.

• Remove or replace backgrounds

With CapCut's image background remover, you can instantly erase or change the background, transforming ordinary photos into eye-catching visuals that stand out beautifully.

Crop images with CapCut's AI design tool

To make your image more visually appealing to your audience, you have to install this software on your PC. If you are a beginner with limited knowledge of the proper installation steps, simply click the download button below to download the CapCut file.

STEP 1
1. Access the AI design tool and upload an image

First, open CapCut on your PC. Look for "AI design", then select "Photo editing." Upload the image you wish to crop from your device's storage.

STEP 2
1. Crop the image

• Select the uploaded image to bring up the editing options.
• Select the "Crop" tool and either choose from preset aspect ratios or drag the corner handles of the selection box to define your desired crop area.

After cropping, use CapCut's tools to enhance your image.

• To add text, select the "Text" tool and choose from various styles, templates, or add a plain text box.
• To apply a sticker, locate the "Stickers" or "Elements" icon in the toolbar. Browse through the available categories and tap on a sticker to add it to your image.
• Furthermore, apply shapes by clicking the "Shape" button and selecting any single one to apply it.

STEP 3
1. Export the image

Once all edits are complete, click the "Download" button. Then, select your preferred file format (such as PNG or JPEG) and resolution, and save the final, cropped image to your device.

How to crop images in Windows 11 using Paint

The process of creating crop image windows in the Photos app is straightforward and helps you focus on the most important part of the picture. The built-in Photos app offers easy-to-use tools for trimming edges, adjusting framing, and saving your images neatly. Follow these steps to crop images clearly and precisely.

STEP 1
1. Open the image in the Paint app

• Open the Paint app from the "Start" menu or by searching for it.
• Click "File" > "Open", browse to the image file, select it, then click "Open."
• The image appears on the Paint canvas, ready for editing.

STEP 2
1. Crop the image (two options)

• Option 1 — Drag borders: Click the image, then place the mouse on a border or corner and drag inward to trim the edges directly; release when framing looks right.
• Option 2 — Use Select tool: Click "Select" Rectangle selection" or "Free-form selection", draw around the exact area to keep, then click the "Crop" button on the toolbar.

STEP 3
1. Apply and save your cropped image

• Then click "File" > "Save as" and tap the image format (PNG, JPEG, BMP, etc.).
• Pick a folder, enter a new file name to avoid overwriting the original, then click "Save".
• Paint saves a copy of the cropped image to the location you have chosen.

How to crop images in Windows Photos

In the Windows Photos app, the crop image window process is quick and easy. It enables you to remove unwanted areas and focus on the important parts of your photo.

Follow these steps to understand how to crop images on Windows:

STEP 1
1. Open your photo in the Photos app

• Launch the "Photos app" from the start menu or search bar.
• Click "File" > "Open" or double-click your picture to open it directly in Photos.
• Once open, select the "Edit image" (pencil icon) in the top-left corner to start editing.

STEP 2
1. Choose the Crop tool

• On the edit screen, click the "Crop & Rotate" icon from the top toolbar.
• The cropping frame will appear on your image.
• Option 1: Drag the image borders inward to manually trim the sides.
• Option 2: Click the "Free" button to unlock preset aspect ratios, such as Square, 16:9, or 3:2, for accurate cropping.

STEP 3
1. Save your cropped image

• Click "Done" once you're satisfied with the crop.
• Select the "Save options" button and choose "Save as copy" to preserve the original file.
• Select the location, enter a new file name, and click "Save" to complete the process.
• Your newly cropped image will be saved in the selected folder.

Proven tips to crop images in Windows

The cropping isn't just about cutting a picture. It is about guiding the viewer's eye to what matters most. A few small adjustments can significantly alter how an image feels and how clearly it conveys a story. Windows Crop Image provides you with all the tools you need; you just have to know how to use them effectively.

• Use the Windows Photos app

The crop image windows in the Photos app keep things simple and focused. Open your picture, click "Edit Image," and then choose "Crop & Rotate." You can drag corners or use preset shapes for balanced results. The app feels light, but gets the job done. It is perfect for moments when you just want to trim distractions.

• Crop with paint quickly

Paint is ideal for people who like control without clutter. Once you open your image, click Select, draw your box, and click Crop. You can fine-tune edges and focus on small design details. It provides a clear layout that is perfect for a quick check before social media.

• Keyboard shortcuts for cropping

A few keys can save time. Press Ctrl + A to select everything fast, or Ctrl + Shift + X in Photos to jump straight into cropping mode. Arrow keys enable you to nudge edges gently for better framing. These shortcuts keep your hands moving smoothly and make edits feel natural.

• Resize and trim like a pro

Sometimes, the crop image window is not enough to cut the image edges. The size and proportion are also essential for your project. In both Photos and Paint, you can resize by pixels or percentage to fit layouts. Keep the aspect ratio locked to maintain a balanced image. Small trims often work better than heavy cuts.

• Save cropped images efficiently

Once your crop feels right, save it smartly. Choose "Save as copy" in Photos or "Save as" in Paint to protect the original. Pick PNG for clarity or JPG to save space. This small habit keeps your work neat, and your best edits are easily achievable.

To sum up, knowledge of how to crop image windows enables you to make photo editing simple. It helps you highlight what truly matters in your picture. Tools like Photos and Paint are easy to use and perfect for basic edits.

However, they have some limits. You can't easily perform deep color fixes, smooth retouching, and clean background edits. That's why the CapCut desktop video editor is the best tool to edit images without any complicated instructions. It removes those limits with smart AI tools that fix colors, retouch faces, and clean up backgrounds.

FAQs

1
1. What is the fastest way to crop images in Windows using built-in tools?

The fastest way to crop images in Windows is by using the Photos app.

• Open your picture, then click 'Edit image'.
• Select the "Crop & Rotate" tool, and drag the edges to frame the area you need.
• Press "Done" and save your copy. It's quick and simple for small edits.

For further editing, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor to fix colors, retouch faces, or change backgrounds with smart AI tools.

2
1. Can I set custom dimensions when I crop images in Windows?

Yes, you can set custom dimensions when cropping images in Windows.

• In the Photos app, open your image, click "Edit".
• Choose the "Crop & Rotate" tool.
• You can drag the frame to any size or select preset ratios, such as 16:9 or 1:1.

To make your images more precise and stylish, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor for exact sizes, filters, and advanced AI tools.

3
1. How do I crop images in Windows while maintaining the aspect ratio?

To crop images in Windows while keeping the aspect ratio, open your photo in the Photos app.

• Click "Edit" image, then choose "Crop & Rotate".
• From the "Aspect ratio" menu, select a fixed size, such as 16:9, 4:3, or Square.
• This helps keep your image balanced during cropping.

However, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor to crop with precision, apply effects, and enhance photos using smart AI tools.

If you want to further customize your image to use in a professional project in CapCut, you can explore these articles:

Optimize cropped photos for quality

Add effects to images for free

Change the color of images