How to Convert Images to Black and White in Windows 11

Some photographers might consider black-and-white photos to be old-fashioned. Yet, black-and-white image conversion can often enhance photographs with poor lighting conditions. Converting images to black and white is also one of the best retro-editing methods for giving pictures of old subjects a nostalgic look.

The vast majority of image editors include at least basic black-and-white editing options. So, there are plenty of software options for converting images to black and white in Windows 11. This is how you can convert your pictures to black and white in Windows 11 with some freely available apps.

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How to Convert Images to Black and White With Photos

Photos is Windows 11’s default image viewer, which also packs in some handy editing options to boot. It includes a few alternative filters to apply black and white to your images. You can convert photos to black and white with the Photos app like this:

Alternatively, you can select differentB&W Cool,B&W Warm, orB&W High Contrastoptions to convert an image to black and white. Each filter applies a different style of black-and-white effect. You can colorize a black-and-white image slightly by dragging theIntensitybar slider to the left for each B&W filter. And if you’re interested in bringing color to old images, check outhow to colorize old black-and-white photos with Ancestry.

A black-and-white laptop image

Don’t forget to check out the options on theAdjustmentstab. There you can refine a converted black-and-white image by dragging the sliders on theBrightness,Exposure,Highlights, andContrastbars.

How to Convert Images to Black and White With Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a full-blown image editor for Windows with which you may convert images to black and white. It has alternative desktop and MS Store app versions. The desktop software version of Paint.NET is freely available. This is how you can convert your images to black and white with Paint.NET.

Now you’ve got the software up and running, you’re able to startediting in Paint.NET. These are the steps for converting an image to black and white:

The Edit image option in Photos

An alternative method for black-and-white image conversion is to select theHue / Saturationoption on Paint.NET’sAdjustmentstab. Then drag the slider on theSaturationbar to the far left. You can drag theLightnessslider to darken or lighten the black-and-white picture. Removing color saturation will also convert images to black and white in any other editing software with such an option.

If you’re enjoying Paint.NET, check out someuseful image edits you can perform with Paint.NETto get the most out of it.

The B&W filter option in Photos

How to Convert Images to Black and White With Black and White Photos Pro

Black and White Photos Editor Pro is a black-and-white conversion app it’s possible to download from Microsoft Store. That app is freely available, albeit with a pro version that includes more textures, stickers, and overlays. You can unlock the full app version for $3.49. Here’s how you can convert your images to black and white with the Black and White Photos app:

To refine your black-and-white image, click theManualbutton in the app. Then you can selectBrightness,Exposure,Contrast,Blur,Sharpen,Saturation, andVignetteediting options from there. Drag the slider for each option to increase or decrease its editing effect.

Light editing options in Photos

you’re able to also add a different texture and overlay to the image. Click theTextureorOverlaybuttons to see what options are available. Most of the textures and overlays are reserved for the pro version, but there are a few available for selection in the free app.

How to Convert Images to Black and White With ConvertImage

There are also black-and-white image conversion web apps you may utilize in Edge or other Windows browsers. The ConvertImage.net site includes various image conversion tools, among which is a utility for turning photos black and white. That’s a quick and easy tool to utilize for converting images to black and white on the fly. You can convert images with ConvertImage like this:

Make Your Photos Darker in Windows 11

you may bring out the dark sides of your pictures quickly and easily by converting them to black and white in Windows 11 with the above apps. Black and white will work better in some images than others. So, try experimenting with black and white on photos with notable shadows, poor lighting quality, or retro subjects that could benefit from a darker look.

Black and white photography is more than just pictures that lack color, it’s an art form with a rich history. Here’s how you can get started.

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