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Microsoft Paint

by Microsoft Paint

Free plan Windows

Visit Microsoft Paint Alternatives Pricing

Microsoft Paint's own site

What Microsoft Paint is

Microsoft Paint is a free graphics app for Windows that lets you create, edit, and arrange images and drawings. Its drawing tools include a pencil, brushes, color fill, shapes, text, an eraser, selection, and zoom. For image editing, you can crop, flip, rotate, resize, or copy pictures, then save them as PNG, JPEG, BMP, or GIF files. Layers can be edited independently, merged, or reordered to organize a composition. Background Removal uses AI to separate a subject from its background in one click. Image Creator makes image ideas from text prompts and selectable styles; Cocreator combines prompts with canvas drawing and adjustable creativity and style options. Other listed AI tools include Generative Fill, a sticker generator, and AI Object Select. Availability varies by device and market. Image Creator requires a Microsoft account and accepts English inputs; Generative Fill requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC. Stylus use requires a touchscreen-capable Windows PC. Microsoft says generation happens on-device, while cloud safety services filter content.

Who it suits

Paint suits Windows users who need drawing and basic image-editing tools, including artists of any skill level. Its stylus and AI features suit users with the required touchscreen devices, accounts, and supported hardware.

What it does well

  • Free and included with Windows.
  • Edits layers independently and supports merging and reordering.
  • Exports images as PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF.
  • Background Removal isolates a subject with one click.
  • Supports stylus input on touchscreen-capable Windows PCs.

What to know first

  • Available only on Windows.
  • AI feature availability varies by device and market.
  • Image Creator requires a Microsoft account and English inputs.
  • Generative Fill requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Included with WindowsIncluded in Windows · Drawing and image-editing tools · Layers and background removal in current Windows 11 versionsOn request
Included with Windowsincluded in Windows · Included in Windows · Drawing and image-editing tools · Layers and background removal in current Windows 11 versionsOn request
PaintIncluded in Windows · Image Creator starts with 50 credits, 1 credit per useFree

As microsoft.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the Microsoft Paint page on the Windows website.
  2. Use Paint on a Windows PC.
  3. For stylus input, use a touchscreen-capable Windows PC with a Surface Pen or another stylus.
  4. For Image Creator, sign in with a Microsoft account and enter prompts in English.
  5. Use Generative Fill only on a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC.

Verdict

Paint covers drawing, image adjustments, layers, and several AI tools in a free Windows app. Check the device and account requirements before relying on its AI features.

Questions

How much does Microsoft Paint cost?

Paint is free and included with Windows.

Which platforms does Paint support?

Paint is available for Windows.

Does Paint support layers?

Yes. Layers can be edited independently, merged, and reordered.

What does Image Creator require?

It requires a Microsoft account and currently accepts English inputs. AI feature availability varies by device and market.

Which PC is needed for Generative Fill?

Generative Fill requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC.

Can I use a stylus with Paint?

Yes, with a Microsoft Surface Pen or another stylus on a touchscreen-capable Windows PC.

Facts from Microsoft Paint's own pages

AI privacy
Microsoft says image generation happens on-device, while cloud safety services filter content; it collects device and user identifiers and prompts for abuse prevention and says it does not store input or generated images. · support.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
AI requirements
Paint AI feature availability varies by device and market, and Image Creator requires a Microsoft account and currently accepts English inputs. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Audience and support
Microsoft describes Paint as suitable for artists of any level and provides a feedback button for reporting inappropriate or unexpected AI results. · support.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Background Removal
Background Removal uses AI to isolate a subject and remove the background with one click. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Cocreator
Cocreator generates artwork from text prompts and canvas drawing, with adjustable creativity and style options. · support.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Content credentials
Images generated with Cocreator contain a C2PA manifest to help identify them as AI-generated. · support.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Drawing tools
It includes pencil, brushes, color fill, shapes, text, eraser, selection, and zoom tools. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Founded
1975 · microsoft.com, 4 Oct 2026
Free plan
Yes · microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
Generative Fill
Generative Fill adds AI-generated objects to selected areas and requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC. · support.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Redmond, Washington, USA · microsoft.com, 4 Oct 2026
Image Creator
Image Creator uses text prompts and selectable styles to generate image ideas. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Image editing
Paint can crop, flip, rotate, resize, and copy images, and save them in formats including PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Layers
Layers can be edited independently, merged, and reordered to organize image compositions. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Other AI tools
Paint's documented Copilot+ PC features also include a text-prompt sticker generator and AI Object Select. · support.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose
Paint is a Windows graphics editing app for creating, editing, and manipulating images and drawings. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Stylus support
Paint works with Microsoft Surface Pen or another stylus, and stylus use requires a touchscreen capable Windows PC. · microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026

Where Microsoft Paint stands on Freedom251

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