How to Open WebP File in Paint on Windows 11: Complete Guide 2025

Paint and WebP: Understanding Compatibility

Microsoft Paint, the classic image editing tool bundled with Windows, has been a staple for basic image manipulation for decades. While Windows 11 itself has improved native WebP support across the operating system, Paint's direct compatibility with WebP files remains somewhat limited compared to more modern image viewers or editors.

As of 2025, Paint on Windows 11 can often open WebP files for viewing, but its editing capabilities for this format are not as robust as for traditional formats like JPG or PNG. This means you might be able to open a WebP image, but saving it directly back as WebP after editing might not be straightforward, or it might convert it to another format automatically.

Method 1: Open WebP Directly in Paint (Limited)

In many cases, you can open a WebP file directly in Paint on Windows 11. However, be aware that if the WebP file has transparency, Paint will typically flatten it to a white background. Also, saving the file after editing will usually convert it to a JPG or PNG.

Method 2: Convert WebP to JPG/PNG Before Opening

This method ensures full compatibility with Paint by converting the WebP file to a universally supported format first.

Using Windows Photos App

Using Online Converters

Method 3: Copy and Paste from Browser

Method 4: Drag and Drop Method

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: "Paint can't open this file" error

Solution: This indicates the WebP file variant isn't supported by Paint. Convert the file to JPG or PNG using Windows Photos app or an online converter before opening in Paint.

Problem: Image appears with white background instead of transparency

Solution: Paint doesn't support transparency in WebP files. If you need to preserve transparency, convert to PNG first using Windows Photos app, or use a more advanced image editor like GIMP or Paint.NET.

Problem: Only part of an animated WebP appears

Solution: Paint only displays the first frame of animated WebP files. To work with animated WebP files, you'll need specialized software that supports animation editing.

Problem: File won't save as WebP after editing

Solution: Paint typically converts WebP files to JPG or PNG when saving. This is normal behavior. If you specifically need WebP output, use a different image editor that has full WebP support.

Problem: Image quality appears degraded

Solution: Ensure you're working with the highest quality version of the WebP file. Some compression may occur during format conversion. For best quality preservation, use PNG as an intermediate format.

Best Practices for WebP in Paint

Format Selection Guidelines

• Use JPG conversion for: Photographs, images with many colors, web graphics without transparency
• Use PNG conversion for: Images with transparency, screenshots, graphics with text, images requiring lossless quality
• Avoid direct WebP editing when: You need to preserve transparency, working with animated WebP files, or require WebP output format

Quality Preservation Tips

• Always work with the highest quality original WebP file available
• Convert to PNG instead of JPG when quality is critical
• Minimize the number of conversion steps (WebP → PNG → edit → save)
• Keep backup copies of original WebP files

Workflow Optimization

• Set up keyboard shortcuts for frequently used conversion tools
• Create a dedicated folder for converted files
• Use batch conversion tools for multiple WebP files
• Consider upgrading to Paint 3D or other tools for regular WebP work

Alternative Image Editors for Better WebP Support

While Paint can work with WebP files using the methods above, consider these alternatives for more comprehensive WebP support:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a WebP file directly as WebP after editing in Paint?

No, Microsoft Paint typically converts WebP files to JPG or PNG when saving. Paint doesn't have native WebP saving capabilities as of 2025. If you need to maintain WebP format, use an image editor with full WebP support.

Why does my WebP image lose its transparent background in Paint?

Paint doesn't support transparency in WebP files and automatically converts transparent areas to white. To preserve transparency, convert the WebP to PNG format first using Windows Photos app or another converter.

Is there a way to make Paint fully support WebP files?

There's no official plugin or update to add full WebP support to Microsoft Paint. The support that exists is basic and primarily for viewing. For comprehensive WebP editing, consider using Paint.NET with WebP plugins or GIMP.

Can I open animated WebP files in Paint?

Paint will only display the first frame of an animated WebP file as a static image. It cannot handle or edit WebP animations. For animated WebP files, you'll need specialized software that supports animated image formats.

What's the difference between WebP, JPG, and PNG for Paint usage?

JPG offers smaller file sizes and is best for photographs, PNG supports transparency and is better for graphics with text or sharp edges, while WebP provides better compression than both but has limited Paint compatibility. For Paint work, JPG and PNG are more reliable choices.

How can I batch convert multiple WebP files for use in Paint?

Windows Photos app doesn't support batch conversion, but you can use free tools like XnConvert, IrfanView (with batch plugin), or online batch converters. For frequent batch conversions, consider installing ImageMagick command-line tools.

Conclusion

While Microsoft Paint on Windows 11 has limited native WebP support, you can still open and edit WebP files using the methods outlined in this guide. The key is understanding Paint's limitations and choosing the right approach for your specific needs.

For occasional WebP editing, the direct opening method or copy-paste approach works well. For regular work with WebP files, converting to JPG or PNG first ensures maximum compatibility and reliability. Remember that Paint will typically convert your edited WebP files to standard formats when saving, which is normal behavior.

If you find yourself working with WebP files frequently, consider upgrading to more capable image editors like Paint.NET or GIMP, which offer full WebP support while still being free and user-friendly.