Paint

A Fresh Coat of Paint: Microsoft's Classic Gets a Thoughtful Update

If you've ever used a Windows PC, you've probably doodled something in Paint. For decades, it was the simplest digital sketchpad — cute, but painfully limited. Then in 2023, Microsoft quietly gave it a major overhaul, adding features that many of us had been dreaming about since the days of Windows 95. I've been spending the last week with the new Paint for Windows (the one from the Microsoft Store, published by Microsoft Corporation), and I have to say: it's no longer just a nostalgia trip. It's a genuinely capable tool for quick image edits, casual digital art, and even some light design work. Let me walk you through what's changed — and what hasn't.

First Impressions: Familiar but Fresher

Open Paint, and you'll immediately notice the redesigned toolbar. It now uses the modern Windows 11 design language — rounded corners, clear icons, and a dark mode that actually looks good. The canvas remains that classic white square, but the whole interface feels less cramped. The learning curve is essentially zero for anyone who's used Paint before; for newcomers, everything is labeled clearly. There's no overwhelming array of menus or hidden sub-panels. It's still the same “pick a brush, draw a line” simplicity, just with a cleaner coat of paint (pun intended).

Layers: The Quiet Revolution

The single biggest addition to Paint in years is layer support. Yes, you can now stack multiple images, text, and drawings on separate layers — something that was previously only available in expensive software like Photoshop or free alternatives like GIMP.

How It Works

You'll find a new Layers panel on the right side of the window (or you can toggle it from the toolbar). Adding a layer is as simple as clicking a “plus” icon. Each layer can be hidden, reordered, duplicated, or merged. Transparency is supported, so you can overlay a PNG with a transparent background without any weird white boxes. For a tool that used to treat every action as a permanent stamp, this is a game-changer. I was able to quickly create a simple meme by stacking a photo, a text box, and a drawn arrow — all on different layers, easily adjustable. It feels natural, and the performance is snappy even on my mid-range laptop.

That said, don't expect Photoshop-level layer management. You can't apply layer masks, blend modes (only a basic “merge” option), or adjustment layers. But for the vast majority of everyday tasks — collages, quick mockups, adding text to photos — it's more than enough.

Background Removal: Surprisingly Effective

The other standout feature is the built-in background removal tool. Found under the “Image” section, it's a one-click operation that uses AI to automatically detect and erase the background of a photo. I tested it on a few messy photos — one with a friend standing in front of a cluttered bookshelf, another with a dog on a grassy field. The results were impressive: the dog was cut out cleanly with only a few stray grass blades left behind. The friend's photo required a tiny manual cleanup using the new eraser tool, but it took me under 30 seconds. For a completely free tool that ships with Windows, this is remarkable.

Comparison with Big Players

Adobe Photoshop's “Remove Background” is more precise and offers finer controls, but Paint's version gets you 80% of the way there without any subscription or cloud uploads. If you just need to quickly strip the background from an image for a presentation or a social media post, Paint is now a totally viable option.

What Else Has Improved? (And What Hasn't)

Beyond layers and background removal, Paint now supports a wider range of image file formats, including HEIC, WebP, and even 3D models (though the 3D editing is still basic). The brushes have been updated with more sizes and a smoother stroke. Undo/redo history has been extended. And there's a new “Image Creator” feature that generates AI images from text prompts (powered by DALL-E), but I found it hit-or-miss and it requires a Microsoft account.

On the flip side, Paint still lacks vector tools, advanced text formatting (no kerning, no font embedding), and any kind of scriptable automation. It's also not designed for high-resolution printing or professional color management. If you're a graphic designer or a serious illustrator, you'll quickly hit its limits. But for the rest of us — teachers, students, home users, small business owners — it's a genuinely useful upgrade that makes the old Paint feel like a toy from a cereal box.

Who Should Download It?

This version of Paint comes pre-installed on Windows 11 (and is free on the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 users). So the question isn't really whether to download it — it's whether to keep it or replace it. I'd say: definitely keep it. Use it for quick screenshots, adding arrows and text to images, simple photo edits (crop, resize, remove background), and casual digital doodling. If you need something more powerful, look at Krita (free) or Affinity Photo (paid). But for the 90% of image tasks that don't require a professional suite, Paint now does the job admirably.

Final Verdict: A Welcome Evolution

Microsoft didn't need to update Paint. It would have been fine as a nostalgic relic. But they did — and they did it thoughtfully. Layers and background removal are the headline acts, and they transform Paint from a joke into a genuinely practical utility. The interface remains clean and approachable, the learning curve is flat, and the price (free) can't be beat. Is it perfect? No. But it's the best version of Paint we've ever had, and for the first time in decades, I'm actually excited to open it.

Recommendation Level: 8/10 — Highly recommended for casual users and anyone who wants a no-fuss image editor. Professionals should look elsewhere, but for the rest of us, this is a very pleasant surprise.

FAQ

How do I start a new project in Paint?

Open Paint and click File > New. A blank canvas appears. You can adjust the canvas size by dragging the handles or setting custom dimensions under File > Properties. Start drawing or editing immediately.

How can I save my work in different file formats like PNG or JPEG?

Go to File > Save As and choose your preferred format from the dropdown, such as PNG, JPEG, BMP, or GIF. Select the location, name your file, and click Save. This preserves quality for web or print.

Is Paint available for macOS or mobile devices?

No, Paint is exclusive to Windows. For macOS, consider alternatives like Preview or third-party apps. For mobile, try similar apps from your app store. Microsoft does not offer Paint for other platforms.

How do I use the selection tools to cut or copy parts of an image?

Click Select in the toolbar, then choose Rectangular or Free-form selection. Drag over the area you want. Press Ctrl+X to cut or Ctrl+C to copy, then Ctrl+V to paste elsewhere. Use the handles to reposition.

Can I add text to my image, and how do I change its font and size?

Yes, click the Text tool (A icon) in the toolbar. Click on your image to create a text box. Use the Text tab on the ribbon to choose font, size, bold, italic, and color. Adjust the box size to fit your text.

How do I adjust the color or brightness of my image?

Go to Home > Adjustments (or Image menu in older versions). Select Brightness/Contrast or Color adjustments. Slide the controls to your liking. For precise changes, use the Levels or Hue/Saturation options.