Convert BMP to PNG on Windows — Free, No Paint, No Photoshop Needed

Windows users have several ways to convert BMP files to PNG — ranging from the built-in Paint app to a browser-based tool that works without installing anything. Here's what each method looks like and which one to use depending on your situation.

Method 1: Browser Tool — Best for Batch and Any Windows Version

Works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. No installation required.

1. Open the free BMP to PNG converter (link below) in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
2. Drop your .bmp files into the drop zone — you can select multiple files at once
3. Click "Convert to PNG"
4. Download individual PNG files or click "Download All as ZIP"

This method handles batch conversion automatically and shows the exact size reduction per file. Your files are processed locally in the browser — nothing is uploaded.

Method 2: Microsoft Paint — Single Files, No Download

Paint is pre-installed on every Windows machine and handles single BMP-to-PNG conversions in seconds:

1. Right-click your BMP file in File Explorer
2. Select "Open with" > "Paint"
3. Click File > Save As > "PNG picture"
4. Choose a folder and save

Note: Paint 3D (the newer version on Windows 10/11) also works: open the file, click Menu > Save As > Image > PNG. For batch conversion, Paint processes one file at a time — use the browser tool instead.

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Method 3: PowerShell — For Advanced Users

If you have many BMP files in a folder and prefer the command line, PowerShell can batch-convert using .NET's built-in image handling:

Get-ChildItem -Path "C:yourolder" -Filter *.bmp | ForEach-Object {
  $img = [System.Drawing.Image]::FromFile($_.FullName)
  $png = $_.FullName -replace '.bmp$', '.png'
  $img.Save($png, [System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat]::Png)
  $img.Dispose()
}

Replace C:yourolder with your actual path. This processes every BMP in the folder and saves a PNG alongside it. Works on any Windows version with .NET Framework (which is all of them).

If scripting isn't your thing, the browser tool is easier and faster for most people.

Which Method Is Fastest?

For a single file: Paint is fastest (3 clicks). For multiple files, the browser tool wins — drop 50 files at once and they're all converted in under a minute. PowerShell is fastest for very large batches (hundreds of files in a scripted loop).

The browser tool also wins on convenience: no special setup, works even if you're on a restricted corporate machine that blocks software installation, and shows file size savings for every converted file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the browser converter work on Windows 7?

Yes, as long as you have a modern browser like Chrome or Firefox installed. The converter uses modern browser technology, which is supported by all major browsers since 2017.

Can I use the Windows Photos app to convert BMP to PNG?

Windows Photos can open BMP files but doesn't offer a direct "Save As PNG" option in most versions. Paint and the browser converter are more reliable for conversion.

Does converting BMP to PNG on Windows change the image?

No. BMP to PNG is a lossless conversion — the pixel data is identical. The file is simply compressed more efficiently. You can compare the original BMP and converted PNG pixel-by-pixel and they will be identical.