Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
You can edit an image from Media → Library or from an Image block in the Block Editor. Use the Media Library editor when you want to change the image itself; use the block’s display settings when you only need to change how it fits on a page.
Choose where to make the change
| Where you start | Best for | What happens to the image |
|---|---|---|
| Media Library: Media → Library, then the image’s Edit link and Edit Image | Cropping, rotating, flipping, or scaling an image in the Media Editor | The Edit Media guide describes its controls as non-destructive and provides a way to restore the uploaded specifications. WordPress.org: Edit Media |
| Block Editor: select an Image block and choose Crop in its toolbar | Editing the image used in a post or page, or changing its displayed size and fit | The Image block guide says edits made through its Media Editor are saved as a new image file, with the original remaining in the Media Library. WordPress.org: Image block |
WordPress documents these routes separately, so do not assume their save and restore behavior is identical across every version or editing route.
Edit an image from the Media Library
- Go to Media → Library. Open the image’s Edit link, then select Edit Image on the Edit Media page.
- Make the changes described below. Use Undo and Redo to move through your edits.
- To return to the uploaded specifications, choose Restore Original Image, then confirm with Restore Image. The guide notes that previously edited copies are not deleted when you restore.
Crop
Click and drag over the image to select the area to keep, then click the crop icon. Set an aspect ratio if you need a consistent shape; the guide gives 1:1, 4:3, and 16:9 as examples. Hold Shift while dragging to lock the selection to the chosen ratio.
The minimum crop selection is limited by the thumbnail size configured in Media settings. For precise adjustments, use the keyboard controls:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Create stunning photos and videos with powerful AI tools, intuitive editing, and eye-catching effects.
- Enhanced Screen Recording - Capture screen & webcam together, export as separate clips, and adjust placement in your final project.
- AI Object Mask - Auto-detect & mask any object, even in complex scenes, to highlight elements and add stunning effects.
- AI Object Removal with Object Detection - Clean up photos fast with AI that detects and removes distractions automatically.
- AI Image Enhancer with Face Retouch - Clearer, sharper photos with AI denoising, deblurring, and face retouching.
- Arrow key: move the selection by 10 pixels.
- Shift + arrow key: move it by 1 pixel.
- Ctrl + arrow key: resize it by 10 pixels.
- Ctrl + Shift + arrow key: resize it by 1 pixel.
Rotate and flip
- Rotate left turns the image 90 degrees counter-clockwise; Rotate right turns it 90 degrees clockwise.
- Flip vertical turns the image upside down.
- Flip horizontal mirrors the image left-to-right.
Scale
Enter new dimensions and choose Scale to change the image file’s size proportionally. WordPress says images can only be scaled down, not up, and recommends scaling before cropping, flipping, or rotating.
Choose which image sizes receive a crop
The Edit Media guide describes options to apply edits to all image sizes, only the thumbnail, or all sizes except the thumbnail. A thumbnail is a smaller version of the main image. The documented default thumbnail is 150 × 150 pixels and cropped square, but Media settings can change it. WordPress.org: Edit Media
Rank #2
![PhotoPad Photo Editing and Image Editor Free [PC Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Z1W5q6pVL._SL160_.jpg)
- Edit and Share digital photos and other images
- Improve photo quality, adjust the color balance, crop, rotate, resize, and more
- Add text, frames, clipart, and more to your photos
- Fun filters such as, sepia, oil paint, cartoon and more.
- Use touch-up tools to remove red-eye and blemishes
Edit from an Image block
- In the post or page editor, select the Image block.
- Choose Crop in the block toolbar to open the Media Editor.
- In the Crop tab, drag the handles for a freeform crop or select an aspect-ratio preset. Use zoom to position the crop more precisely.
- Use Rotate or Flip to change orientation. The ruler beneath the image can straighten it by degree; crop handles snap to source-image pixels.
- Choose Save to apply the edits or Cancel to discard them. Reset, Undo, and Redo are also available while editing.
According to the Image block guide, this editing route saves the edited version as a new image file and leaves the original available in the Media Library. WordPress.org: Image block
Change how an image fits without editing its file
If you only need to adjust the image’s on-page dimensions or framing, select the Image block and use its width, height, and aspect-ratio settings instead of opening the Media Editor. The block’s aspect ratio changes how the image appears on the page, not the original image file.
Rank #3
![Corel PaintShop Pro 2023 Ultimate | Powerful Photo Editing & Graphic Design Software + Creative Suite | Amazon Exclusive ParticleShop + 5 Brush Starter Pack [PC Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nxJm9NxdL._SL160_.jpg)
- Subscription-free photo editing and design software PLUS the ultimate creative suite including MultiCam Capture 2.0 Lite, 50 free modern fonts, Painter Essentials 8, PhotoMirage Express, Highlight Reel, Sea-to-Sky Workspace, and the Corel Creative Collection
- Use full-featured editing tools to correct and adjust photos, remove objects and flaws, and change backgrounds, plus enjoy AI-powered tools, edit RAW images with new AfterShot Lab, create HDR photos, batch process, and more
- Get creative with graphic design features like layers and masks, powerful selection, intuitive text, brushes, drawing and painting tools, hundreds of creative filters, effects, built-in templates, and the enhanced Frame Tool
- Choose from multiple customizable workspaces to edit photos with efficiency, plus take your underwater and drone photography to new heights with the Ultimate-exclusive Sea-to-Sky Workspace
- Import/export a variety of file formats, including Adobe PSD, get support for 64-bit third-party plug-ins and graphics tablets, and find learning resources in-product
- Cover fills the chosen area, cropping parts of the image when needed.
- Contain shows the whole image and may leave empty space within the area.
Use the Media Editor for a lasting crop or orientation change to the edited image; use the block settings when the goal is only its presentation in that post or page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and version notes
WordPress.org’s Edit Media guide was last updated on 2024-10-23. The Image block documentation’s changelog includes an update dated 2026-08-20. Screenshots and labels can differ between WordPress versions. Edit Media · Image block · Media Library screen · Image_Editor developer reference
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GIMP – The #1 alternative and fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Elements files, it is the ultimate fully featured digital image and photo editing software. Restore old photos, change the background, enhance and manipulate images, or simply create your masterpiece from scratch. Multilingual - English, Spanish (Español) and more languages supported.
- Full Tool Suite - Graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, artists and beginners can utilize many tools including channels, layers, filters, effects and more. A plethora of file formats are supported including .psd, .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .hdr, .tif, .bmp and many more.
- Full program that never expires - Free for-life updates and a lifetime license. No yearly subscription or key code is required ever again!
- Multi-Platform Edition DVD-ROM Disc – Compatible with Microsoft Windows PC and Mac.
- PixelClassics Bonus Content – Access to 2.7 MILLION royalty-free stock images photo repository, Installation Menu (PC only), Quick Start Guides and comprehensive User Manual PDF.
Rank #4
- ALL-IN-ONE SUITE – view, present, edit, crop and organize your photos
- ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS – make your own calendars and photo cards, create your own collages and slideshows, burn them on CD/DVD
- EASY TO INSTALL AND USE – very easy and intuitive user-interface - take a guided tour through the program when you first use it
- FREE TECH SUPPORT – get in touch with us if you have any questions, we will give you all the assistance you need
- For Win 11, 10 - lifetime license for 1 PC
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
