Powerpoint : the change to remove background

Hi, steve willis

It looks like PowerPoint is moving some users from the older manual “Remove Background” tool into the newer AI-style image editor. The old tool is still documented as using “Mark Areas to Keep” and “Mark Areas to Remove”, but it may not appear the same way depending on the version, ribbon layout, or update channel.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

First, select the picture, then go to Picture Format > Remove Background. If you still see the Background Removal tab, use Mark Areas to Keep and Mark Areas to Remove, then choose Keep Changes. If those buttons are missing, make sure PowerPoint is not using the simplified ribbon, maximize the PowerPoint window, and check whether the full ribbon brings those commands back.

I would not buy Office 2024 only for this unless Microsoft confirms the exact behavior you need. Office 2024 is a one-time purchase version and does include PowerPoint, but Microsoft does not clearly state that it permanently keeps the older background removal interface. Also, installing Office 2024 alongside Microsoft 365 is not a clean solution. It is usually better to avoid mixing Office installations, as it can cause activation or update conflicts.

If you need the same fine control for artwork, it is recommended that you use a dedicated editor for that step, such as GIMP, Paint.NET, Affinity Photo, Photoshop, or Photopea, then save the image as PNG with transparency and insert it back into PowerPoint. For simple white or solid backgrounds, try Picture Format > Color > Set Transparent Color, which can still be useful for quick manual work.

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I would also send feedback from PowerPoint via File > Feedback, asking Microsoft to restore the old manual Remove Background option or provide a toggle between AI and classic mode.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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This is only an issue in Microsoft 365 subscriptions. The one-time purchase version of Office 2024 still has the old Background Removal tool. To work around this in Microsoft 365:

1. Click on the bar and arrowhead icon at the right end of the Quick Access Toolbar and choose More Commands.
2. Change the Choose commands from dropdown to All Commands.
3. Scroll down to Remove Background and select it.
4. Click on the Add button. OK out. The old Remove Background tool is added to the right end of the QAT.