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How to Use Paint in Windows 10/11

Geeksdigit Team

October 17, 2025

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Microsoft Paint, commonly known as MS Paint, is one of the most popular and easy-to-use image editing tools built into Windows. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, Paint provides a simple way to draw, color, edit, and annotate pictures without needing advanced graphic design skills. It’s a perfect tool for quick edits like cropping images, adding text, resizing photos, or creating basic artwork.

Over the years, Paint has evolved with a modern design and new features such as dark mode, background removal, and even layer support in Windows 11. Despite being lightweight, it remains a reliable choice for students, professionals, and everyday users who want to make simple edits quickly.

What Is Microsoft Paint?

Microsoft Paint, often called MS Paint, is a free image editing program included with all versions of Windows. It allows users to create and edit pictures easily using basic tools like pencils, brushes, shapes, and colors. First introduced with Windows 1.0 in 1985, Paint has remained one of the most accessible and beginner-friendly drawing applications ever since.

With Paint, you can draw sketches, crop or resize images, add text, fill colors, and save your work in formats like JPEG, PNG, BMP, or GIF. It’s especially useful for quick edits, simple graphic designs, or annotating screenshots.

In Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft Paint has received a refreshed look, improved performance, and even modern features such as dark mode and background removal. Whether you’re a student, designer, or casual user, Paint is a versatile tool for creating and editing images without needing advanced software.

How to Open Paint in Windows 10/11

There are several ways to open Microsoft Paint in both Windows 10 and 11.

Method 1: Using Search

1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
2. Type Paint in the search bar.
3. Click on the Paint app from the results.

Method 2: Using Run Command

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
2. Type mspaint and hit Enter.
3. Paint will open instantly.

Method 3: From File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to C:\Windows\System32.
3. Scroll down and double-click mspaint.exe.

Method 4: Using Voice Assistant (Windows 11)

If you use Copilot or Cortana, simply say:

“Open Paint”

Overview of Paint Interface

When you open Paint, you’ll see a clean and easy-to-use interface divided into several parts:

a. Title Bar

Displays the file name and offers the usual minimize, maximize, and close buttons.

b. Ribbon Toolbar

Located at the top, the Ribbon organizes all tools into tabs such as:

• Home Tab – Basic drawing and editing tools.
• View Tab – Zoom controls, gridlines, rulers, and status bar options.

c. Canvas Area

The large white space where you draw, paint, or edit images.

d. Status Bar

At the bottom, it shows information like image dimensions and cursor position.

e. Color Palette

Located at the bottom of the toolbar, it lets you select primary and secondary colors.

Basic Tools and Their Functions

Paint includes several tools designed for different editing purposes. Let’s look at the most useful ones:

1. Pencil Tool

Used for freehand drawing just like a real pencil.

• Shortcut: Ctrl + P
• Click and drag to draw freely.

2. Brushes

Paint includes multiple brush styles (calligraphy, oil, crayon, airbrush, etc.).
You can adjust the brush thickness and color to create custom designs.

3. Fill with Color (Bucket Tool)

Used to fill an enclosed area with a single color.

• Select the bucket icon → choose a color → click on the area to fill.

4. Eraser

Removes unwanted parts of an image.

• You can change its size from the toolbar.

5. Color Picker

Picks an existing color from an image so you can reuse it.

• Click the eyedropper icon, then click the color on the image.

6. Magnifier

Zoom in or out for detailed editing.

7. Text Tool

Adds text to your image.

• Click the A icon, then drag to create a text box.
• Customize font, size, and color from the toolbar.

8. Shapes

Paint offers built-in shapes like rectangles, circles, arrows, and stars.

• Select a shape → drag on the canvas to draw → adjust outline and fill color.

9. Crop

Used to cut out a specific area from an image.

• Select → drag over the area → click Crop.

10. Resize and Skew

Used to change the image dimensions or tilt the image.

• Click Resize → adjust by percentage or pixels.

How to Create a New Drawing

1. Open Paint.
2. Click File > New to start a blank canvas.
3. Choose your brush or pencil tool.
4. Select a color from the palette.
5. Start drawing using your mouse or touch input.

You can also change canvas size by dragging the corner dots or using the Resize option.

How to Open an Existing Image

1. Launch Paint.
2. Go to File > Open.
3. Browse and select the image file (JPEG, PNG, BMP, etc.).
4. Click Open to load it on the canvas.

You can now draw, crop, or annotate directly on the image.

How to Edit Images in Paint

Paint offers several basic editing features to modify your image easily.

a. Cropping

• Use Select → Rectangular selection.
• Highlight the desired area.
• Click Crop to remove the rest.

b. Resizing

• Go to Home > Resize.
• Choose Percentage or Pixels.
• Enable “Maintain aspect ratio” for proportional resizing.

c. Rotating

• Go to Home > Rotate.
• Choose between Rotate right, left, or flip options.

d. Adding Text

• Select the Text tool (A icon).
• Click and drag to create a text box.
• Type your text, then customize the font, size, and color.

e. Changing Colors

• Select a new color from the palette.
• Use the Fill tool to apply it.

How to Use Paint 3D (Windows 10/11 Upgrade)

In newer versions of Windows, you’ll also find Paint 3D, a more advanced version of Paint.

Paint vs Paint 3D

To open Paint 3D:

1. Press Windows key, type Paint 3D, and open the app.
2. Choose New or Open existing project.
3. Experiment with 3D objects, stickers, and text effects.

Using the New Paint Features in Windows 11

Microsoft has added modern upgrades to Paint in Windows 11, especially after 2023 updates:

1. Dark Mode

Paint now supports dark mode for comfortable editing at night.

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors > Choose dark mode.

2. Background Removal

One of the newest features:

1. Open an image in Paint.
2. Click Remove background (top toolbar).
3. The app automatically detects and removes the background.

3. Layer Support

Windows 11 Paint (2024 update) includes layer support, similar to Photoshop.

• Use the Layers panel to add, hide, or rearrange layers.

4. AI Features (Cocreator Tool)

Some builds of Paint now have an AI-powered Cocreator that can generate images from text prompts — a major step toward creative design assistance.

How to Save and Export Images

Once your drawing or edit is complete:

1. Click File > Save As.
2. Choose your desired format:
   • JPEG – Best for photos.
   • PNG – Supports transparency.
   • BMP – For high-quality bitmaps.
   • GIF – For simple graphics.
3. Choose the file location and name.
4. Click Save.

You can also copy your creation directly using Ctrl + C and paste it into another app like Word or PowerPoint.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Paint

Here’s a quick list of useful Paint shortcuts to boost productivity:

Tips for Using Paint Effectively

1. Use Gridlines for accurate drawing — found under the View tab.
2. Zoom in for precise editing on small details.
3. Save frequently to avoid data loss.
4. Experiment with brushes to create texture effects.
5. Use transparency (PNG format) for overlay graphics.
6. Combine shapes to design icons or logos.
7. Use the “Undo” feature liberally (up to 50 steps).

How to Print an Image in Paint

1. Go to File > Print > Print Setup.
2. Choose your printer, paper size, and layout.
3. Adjust the margins and orientation (portrait or landscape).
4. Click Print Preview to check before printing.
5. Finally, click Print.

Troubleshooting Common Paint Issues

a. Paint Not Opening

• Run Windows Update to ensure you have the latest build.
• Try running mspaint.exe from the System32 folder.
• Reinstall via Microsoft Store (Windows 11).

b. Slow Performance

• Close background apps.
• Reduce canvas size.
• Update graphics drivers.

c. Can’t Save Images

• Make sure you have permission to write in the selected folder.
• Save to a different location like Desktop.

d. Background Not Transparent

• Save image as PNG instead of JPEG.
• Use “Transparent selection” before copying or pasting.

Alternatives to Paint

If you need more advanced editing, here are some free alternatives:

Paint Use Cases

Microsoft Paint is surprisingly versatile for various everyday tasks:

• Annotating screenshots
• Creating quick diagrams
• Editing profile photos
• Designing basic posters or banners
• Removing backgrounds (Windows 11)
• Drawing simple artwork for projects

It’s an ideal tool for students, teachers, and casual users who don’t need complex editing software.

How to Update Paint

In Windows 11, Paint is updated through the Microsoft Store:

1. Open Microsoft Store.
2. Go to Library > Get updates.
3. Paint will update automatically if an update is available.

In Windows 10, Paint updates are included with system updates.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Paint has come a long way since its first release decades ago. What was once a basic drawing program is now a more refined, user-friendly, and even AI-powered creative tool. Whether you want to crop a photo, remove its background, or sketch something from scratch, Paint on Windows 10 and 11 can do it with ease.

With the introduction of layers, dark mode, and background removal, Paint continues to evolve while keeping its simplicity intact. It’s an excellent tool for students, office users, or anyone looking to make quick edits without complex software.

So, the next time you need to edit or create an image, open Paint and explore all its hidden potential — you’ll be surprised at what this classic Windows tool can do!