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Microsoft Enhances Paint App and Notepad with New Features in Windows 11

Microsoft Enhances Paint App and Notepad with New Features in Windows 11
source: gettyimages
September 18, 2025

Microsoft has been progressively upgrading its Paint app for Windows 11, introducing features like dark mode, transparency, layers, and AI-powered image creation. The latest updates include two major Photoshop-like features and improvements aimed at boosting user productivity.

Save Paint Projects as Editable Files

Soon, users will be able to save their artwork as a project file in Paint, similar to a Photoshop Document (.PSD). These new Paint project files will have the `.paint` extension and will preserve layers within the file, allowing for seamless editing later. Currently, these features are being tested with Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels.

> “You can now save your creation as an editable Paint project file and seamlessly pick up where you left off,” — Dave Grochocki, Principal Product Manager Lead for Microsoft’s Windows Inbox Apps

Opening a `.paint` file will launch the project right where you stopped, making it easier to work on complex projects over multiple sessions.

Enhanced Transparency with Opacity Sliders

Microsoft is also adding opacity sliders for the pencil and brush tools in Paint. Users can select their preferred tool and adjust transparency dynamically via a slider on the left side of the canvas, offering more control over their artwork.

Improved Snipping Tool with Quick Markup

For those who frequently take screenshots, Microsoft is enhancing the Snipping Tool in Windows 11. The new quick markup feature streamlines annotating screenshots, providing tools like highlighter, pen, and eraser, along with a straightforward way to re-crop images for better precision.

AI-Powered Features in Notepad

Microsoft is incorporating AI functionalities into Notepad for Copilot Plus PC users. These include write, summarization, and rewrite tools, which are available at no extra cost and do not require a Microsoft 365 subscription. Users can switch effortlessly between local and cloud AI models depending on their needs, thanks to local models powering these features on Copilot Plus devices.

> “You can seamlessly switch between local and cloud models based on your needs,” — Grochocki

These updates reflect Microsoft's ongoing commitment to enhancing productivity and creativity features across its Windows ecosystem, making everyday tools more powerful and versatile.

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