why in the world can i not remove the background on my images anymore

To get access to the old Remove Background tool, try the following steps in PowerPoint for Windows:

1. Choose File>Options>Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Change the Choose command from dropdown to All Commands.
3. Scroll down to the Remove Background command and select it.
4. Click on the Add button. OK out.
5. Remove Background is added to the right end of the QAT and gives you access to the old tool.

Your frustration makes sense, the older “Remove Background” flow in the web version of Microsoft PowerPoint used to feel much faster and more direct. Microsoft has increasingly shifted background removal in the browser to cloud/AI-assisted processing.

It is not clear if you have access to the desktop version of PowerPoint. If you do, there are better options in the desktop interface for manual editing tools.

In the web version, Microsoft simplified the workflow but unfortunately removed a lot of the precision and responsiveness that people relied on for school/work projects.

A few practical workarounds that might help immediately (and fit a college budget - free tools ):

• remove.bg
• Canva Background Remover
• Adobe Background Remover

You can edit your images there, them copy and use in your PowerPoint presentations.

Don't forget to provide feedback to Microsoft using the PowerPoint web app. You can use Help - Feedback and mention the slower than previous version, background removal requires save/sync, missing manual background tools, and the general feeling of unreliability for academic work. Microsoft wants your feedback so they can correctly plan features in future offerings.

Good day @Alice Cox, and I appreciate the clear explanation of your concern.   

Just to gently clarify before we go any further, this is a user‑to‑user support forum. I don’t have the ability to access or investigate individual accounts because this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, do not have access to internal systems or the ability to directly take action on Microsoft product features. However, I truly hope I can help review your situation, offer some guidance, and support you in finding the right next steps as best as possible.   

To help improve your experience, I suggest trying the following steps below: 

Step 1: Update your browser and system 

Make sure your web browser and operating system are fully updated to the latest version. 

If you're using another browser such as Google Chrome or Safari, please try Microsoft Edge. 

Step 2: Clear browser cache 

Open a web browser, then go to the browser settings and clear browsing data. Set the time range to "All time" to avoid issues caused by outdated cache.    

Go to https://www.office.com and sign in your school account.   

Once signed in, select Apps > Choose PowerPoint. 

Step 3: Check storage availability 

Please ensure your OneDrive or device storage is not close to the limit. 

Open OneDrive or File Explorer > Check available storage space > Delete unnecessary files if storage is nearly full. 

Insufficient storage can cause issues when saving processed images. 

Step 4: Use smaller or optimized images 

If the image file is large or complex, the background removal process may take longer. 

You can try: 

• Compressing the image using an image tool or website. 
• Re-inserting the optimized image into PowerPoint. 
• Running background removal again. 

If the issue persists, here are some recommended alternatives so you can continue your work without delay: 

Option 1: Use Windows Photos app 

Open the image using the Photos application on Windows. 

Select Edit image. 

Choose Background Remove or Blur. 

Save the edited image. 

Insert the image back into PowerPoint for the web. 

Option 2: Use other image editing tools 

You may use third party tools to remove the background more quickly, then insert the result into PowerPoint. Some commonly used tools include: 

• Adobe Express Background Remover. 
• Pixlr. 
• Photopea. 
• Canvas.  

Note: These apps are shared by the community for your convenience and are provided by third parties. They are not managed, developed, or verified by Microsoft. I can't guarantee the quality, safety, or suitability of the apps, or any content or software they may include. Please review them carefully and ensure you understand any potential risks before using them.  

I understand that this change may disrupt your workflow, especially compared to the simpler experience you had before. It’s not just about aesthetics; these differences can genuinely affect how smoothly you work and navigate your day. 

I’m really sorry, I know this isn’t the outcome you were hoping for. However, I strongly encourage you to share your feedback with Microsoft using the following guide: How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365? - Microsoft Support. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.  

Once you've submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’ll be happy to upvote it to help bring more visibility. If you prefer, I can also submit this great idea on your behalf. Just let me know, and I’ll post it for you and share the link once it’s published. I’m here to help ensure your feedback gets the attention it deserves. 

Additionally, as other users have raised similar concerns and may not be aware of where to share their feedback, I hope this response helps clarify the situation and suggests a potential next step. Highlighting this information can make it more visible to others in the community who may be facing the same issue, making it easier for them to find guidance and contribute their feedback as well. 

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. 

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