Convert PNG to BMP in Batch on Windows

Legacy Windows applications, embedded display panels, industrial HMI software, and old graphics tools often refuse PNG files and require BMP instead. PNG is the modern standard, but BMP is what these systems actually load. Total Image Converter converts entire folders of PNG files to BMP in one run — with control over color depth, resolution, and file naming — so you can feed any legacy system without touching each image manually.

Quick answer: To convert PNG to BMP on Windows, install Total Image Converter, open the folder of PNG files, select them, click the BMP button, set the color depth (1, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 32-bit) and any resize size, then click Start. The whole folder converts in one batch — offline, with no upload and no file-size limit.

PNG vs. BMP: What Is the Difference

Property	PNG	BMP
Compression	Lossless (DEFLATE)	None (uncompressed by default)
Alpha channel	Full 8-bit transparency	Limited (32-bit BMP only)
File size	Compact	Large (pixels stored raw)
Cross-platform	Universal	Primarily Windows
Best for	Web, UI, screenshots	Legacy apps, embedded systems

PNG compresses image data without any quality loss and supports a full 8-bit alpha channel for transparency. It is the standard format for web graphics, application icons, and screenshots. Most modern software opens PNG without issue.

BMP (Windows Bitmap) stores pixel data raw, with no compression. Every pixel is written directly to disk, which makes files large but fast to read by hardware with minimal processing power. BMP is not portable — it is a Windows format — but it is universally supported by Windows-native software, device drivers, and embedded display controllers that predate PNG support. When a system requires BMP, there is no substitute.

How to Convert PNG to BMP in Batch

Download and install Total Image Converter. The 30-day trial is fully functional — no email or credit card required.
Open the program. In the left panel, navigate to the folder containing your PNG files. Thumbnails appear in the file list on the right.
Select files: click one file, Shift-click for a range, or press Ctrl+A to select all PNG files in the folder.
Click the BMP button in the toolbar. The conversion options dialog opens.
Set the color depth (1, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 32 bits per pixel) and resize parameters if the target system requires specific image dimensions.
Choose the output folder and click Start. All selected PNG files are converted and saved as BMP.

Command-Line PNG to BMP

Total Image Converter includes a command-line version for automation and integration into build or deployment pipelines. To convert all PNG files in a folder to 24-bit BMP:

TotalImageConverter.exe C:\Images\*.png C:\Output -c bmp

To convert to 8-bit BMP (256 colors) and resize to 800×600 pixels:

TotalImageConverter.exe C:\Images\*.png C:\Output -c bmp -colors 256 -resize 800,600

Use these commands in .bat files, Makefiles, or deployment scripts to automate asset preparation for embedded or legacy systems.

Why Use Total Image Converter

True batch processing — entire folders in one run

Select hundreds of PNG files at once or point the tool at a folder and convert everything in it. No file-by-file dialog, no repeated clicking. The same settings apply to every file in the batch, so all output BMPs are consistent in size, color depth, and naming convention.

Color depth control down to 1-bit

Embedded systems and monochrome displays often require 1-bit (black and white) or 4-bit (16 color) BMP files. Total Image Converter lets you choose the exact bit depth: 1, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 32 bits per pixel. Standard image editors default to 24-bit and give no option to go lower without manual steps.

Resize while converting

HMI panels and legacy display controllers require images at a fixed resolution — 320×240, 640×480, or another specific size. Set the target dimensions in the same conversion dialog. Every PNG is resized and converted to BMP in one pass, with no intermediate files.

Runs entirely offline

All processing happens locally on Windows. Your image files never leave the machine. This matters when converting proprietary product images, internal engineering assets, or confidential diagrams that must not be uploaded to any external service.

Personal license from $24.90

One-time payment. Free updates and technical support included. Works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. A command-line server version (Total Image Converter X) is available for integration into automated production pipelines.

Online Converter vs. Desktop Converter

Feature	Online Converter	Total Image Converter
Batch processing	One file at a time	Entire folder in one run
File size limit	Usually 10–50 MB	No limit
Color depth selection	Not available	1, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32-bit
Resize while converting	Rarely	Yes, pixel-exact dimensions
Privacy	Files uploaded to a server	All local, never uploaded
Automation	Not possible	Command line, .bat scripts
Works offline	No	Yes

When Do You Need PNG to BMP Conversion

Legacy Windows applications. Older software built for Windows 95/98/XP often loads only BMP files for splash screens, UI elements, or user-supplied graphics. The application's file dialog filters for .bmp and will not show PNG files at all. Converting the assets beforehand is the only way to get images into the program.
Embedded systems and microcontroller displays. TFT and LCD controllers on embedded hardware (STM32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi display shields) frequently use BMP as the native format for their framebuffer loader. PNG decompression requires more CPU and RAM than most microcontrollers have available. BMP loads directly.
Windows wallpaper and lock screen tools. Certain Windows customization utilities and Group Policy wallpaper deployments require BMP format. Providing a PNG results in a black screen or a fallback to the default wallpaper.
Industrial HMI software. SCADA and HMI platforms (WinCC, FactoryTalk, Wonderware) often require imported graphics in BMP format for display panels, alarm screens, and operator interfaces. Vendors specify exact color depth (typically 8-bit or 16-bit) and resolution requirements.
Icon and cursor development workflows. Early stages of icon design tools and some resource editors work with raw BMP data before the final ICO or CUR packaging step. Converting PNG icon designs to BMP is the required input step for those tools.

FAQ

What color depth options are available for BMP output?

You can choose from 1-bit (monochrome), 4-bit (16 colors), 8-bit (256 colors), 16-bit (high color), 24-bit (true color), and 32-bit (true color with alpha). The default is 24-bit. Select a lower bit depth when the target system requires it — for example, 8-bit for embedded display controllers with limited color support.

What happens to PNG transparency when converting to BMP?

Standard 24-bit BMP does not support transparency. When you convert a PNG with an alpha channel to 24-bit BMP, transparent pixels are replaced with a solid background color (white by default). If you choose 32-bit BMP output, the alpha channel is preserved in the file, though not all applications that open BMP will use it.

Is there a limit on how many PNG files I can convert at once?

No. Select an entire folder or press Ctrl+A in the file list to include all files. There is no per-batch limit. Processing speed depends on your hardware and the resolution of the source PNG files.

How do I convert PNG to BMP from the command line?

Use the command: TotalImageConverter.exe C:\Images\*.png C:\Output -c bmp. To set color depth to 8-bit: add -colors 256. To resize: add -resize 640,480. These parameters can be combined in a single command and work in .bat files and scheduled tasks.

Can I resize PNG images while converting to BMP?

Yes. In the conversion options, open the Resize tab and enter the target width and height in pixels or a percentage of the original size. The resize and format conversion happen in the same pass — no intermediate file is created. This is useful when the target system requires a fixed resolution, such as 320×240 or 800×480.

What is the difference between 24-bit and 32-bit BMP output?

24-bit BMP stores red, green, and blue channels (8 bits each) with no transparency data. It is the most compatible option — virtually all applications and systems that open BMP support 24-bit. 32-bit BMP adds an 8-bit alpha channel for transparency. Use 32-bit only when you know the target application reads the alpha channel from BMP files.

What Windows versions are supported?

Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, both 32-bit and 64-bit. No .NET framework or additional runtime is required.

Start working now!

Download free trial and convert your files in minutes.
No credit card or email required.

⬇ Download Free Trial Windows 7/8/10/11 • 80 MB