Microsoft Paint review
A free Windows editor for quick image work, drawing, layers, and supported AI features.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Microsoft Paint is a Windows graphics and drawing application for general users and artists who need straightforward image creation or quick editing. Its toolset covers brushes, pencils, fills, text, shapes, selections, cropping, resizing, rotation, and common image formats. Current Windows 11 versions also add layers, background removal, and AI-assisted creation, giving Paint more range than a basic single-canvas drawing utility while keeping its focus on accessible editing rather than professional painting workflows.
The pricing structure is simple: Paint is free and included with Windows through the “Included with Windows” plan. That plan provides drawing and image-editing tools, plus layers and background removal in current Windows 11 versions. AI capabilities include image creation from text prompts and selected styles, as well as Cocreator, generative fill, sticker generation, and object selection on supported Copilot+ PCs. Availability varies by Windows version, device, region, and hardware, and some AI features may require a Microsoft account or internet access.
Paint’s strongest fit is quick, uncomplicated work on Windows: annotating or resizing images, making simple graphics, arranging content across layers, and exporting to familiar formats such as PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF. Its narrower focus is also its main boundary. Basic color management and the absence of a RAW workflow make it less suitable for photographers or users who need deeper image control. Choose Paint for free, everyday editing and drawing; choose a more specialized photo editor when camera-oriented processing or advanced color work is central.
Microsoft Paint pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and included with Windows
- Layers, background removal, and common image operations
- PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF import and export
- Where it doesn't
- Windows-only availability
- Basic color management
- No RAW workflow for camera-focused editing
Microsoft Paint fact sheet, pricing and score →
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