Microsoft Paint integrates some predefined configurations with which to adjust the stroke size of the "Erasers" tool. However, there is a hidden shortcut key combination that allows you to use any desired size. Unfortunately, this key combination doesn't work on all laptops that don't come with a numeric keypad. However, it is possible to use the Windows on-screen keyboard to replicate the key combination in question and thus increase the size of the "Eraser" of Paint.
Steps
Step 1. Start Paint and select the "Eraser" tool
You can do this directly from Paint's Home tab. Remember that for the procedure described in the article to work, the Paint window must be the one currently active.
Step 2. Use the "Size" button to choose one of the default stroke size
It is located within the Home tab of the Paint ribbon, to the left of the "Colors" pane. If the default size does not suit your needs best, you can use the "+" key to increase the current size.
Step 3. Open the Windows window for the on-screen keyboard
Normally you can use the numeric keypad to change the stroke size of the Paint tools using the key combination Ctrl ++ and Ctrl + -. However if you are using a laptop without a numeric keypad, you can use the Windows on-screen keyboard which simulates a real computer keyboard.
- To display the on-screen keyboard, go to the "Start" menu and type in the keyword "keyboard", then select the "On-Screen Keyboard" icon from the results list.
- You will notice that the Windows on-screen keyboard is always visible in the foreground, even when the Paint window is active.
Step 4. Press the "Options" button on the Windows On-Screen Keyboard
By default the numeric keypad is not visible, so to enable its use you need to access the "Options" menu.
Step 5. Select the "Enable Numeric Keypad" checkbox, then press the "OK" button
The numeric keypad will be displayed on the right of the virtual keyboard.
Step 6. Press the "Ctrl" key followed by the "+" key on the numeric keypad
You should notice that the "Ctrl" key remains selected until the "+" key is pressed. For this procedure to work, remember to press the "+" key on the numeric keypad and not the one next to the "Enter" key.
Step 7. Continue pressing the "Ctrl" key and the "+" key in sequence until the cursor of Paint's "Eraser" tool has reached the desired size
Each time you select the key combination indicated, the cursor will increase its size by one pixel; this means that you will have to perform this step several times consecutively to notice a noticeable change in size. Try pressing the "Ctrl" and "+" key combination at least ten times to notice a significant change in cursor size.
- If the size of the cursor does not change, make sure the Paint window is the one that is currently active.
- To reduce the size of the "Eraser" tool cursor by one pixel, do the same but use the "-" key instead of the "+" key.
- Remember that before pressing the "+" or "-" key you will need to press the "Ctrl" key on the Windows on-screen keyboard each time.
