Microsoft Paint

Winsage
August 5, 2026
Mark Russinovich, the Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Azure, has created a project called DoomPaint, which allows the classic game DOOM to be displayed within Microsoft Paint. The game operates through the ViZDoom engine, rendering frames headlessly and transferring them to Paint via the Windows clipboard. DoomPaint features full keyboard controls, sound effects, and a MIDI soundtrack, maintaining a frame rate of around 35 FPS. To run DoomPaint, users need to download the project from GitHub, ensure Python is installed, extract the folder, and run a batch file, which sets up a virtual environment and opens Microsoft Paint for gameplay. The default controls include movement with W/S or arrow keys, turning with A/D or arrow keys, strafing with Q/E, firing with Ctrl/F, and other functions assigned to different keys. The project uses the shareware DOOM1.WAD for the initial episode and additional maps from Freedoom due to licensing restrictions. DoomPaint differs from previous attempts to integrate DOOM into Paint by using Paint’s canvas as the sole display for the game. The clipboard race condition was addressed by allowing the application to own the clipboard as a reference-counted OLE data object. Sound effects come from ViZDoom through OpenAL, and music is played using a separate module that loops through the Windows MIDI sequencer. Russinovich utilized Claude Fable 5 for this project, demonstrating how AI tools can enhance software development.
Winsage
August 4, 2026
Mark Russinovich, the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Azure, has created a project called DoomPaint that allows the classic 1993 game DOOM to run within Microsoft Paint. The application works by placing each game frame on the Windows clipboard and pasting it into Paint, which acts as a display medium rather than a game engine. Users need to install Python to run DoomPaint, and there is also a demonstration video available. The project involves contributions from entities like Anthropic's Claude and Microsoft's GitHub Copilot. DoomPaint features working sound and music, but it is primarily a visual trick rather than a complete game engine conversion. To enhance the experience, players need a legitimate copy of DOOM's internal ".WAD" file.
AppWizard
June 16, 2026
Steam has launched a new free game called Better Minesweeper, a modern revival of the classic PC game Minesweeper. This updated version includes quality-of-life enhancements, deeper customization options, and varied playstyles. Features include sharable seeds, daily runs for high score competitions, the ability to draw on the game board, import and share custom skins, and replays that can be shared and viewed in a browser. Better Minesweeper offers various game modes such as Custom 3BV, Aim Trainer, and Worse Minesweeper. The game is available for download on Steam.
Winsage
April 26, 2026
Factory 95 is a Windows 95 themed automation game that launched on April 22, 2026. Players act as factory managers, creating PowerPoint slide-shows for clients while navigating tools and resources within a retro operating system. The game features nostalgic elements, including a Clippy-inspired character named "Pinny" and challenges reminiscent of early computing, such as slow loading times and managing emails. The design evokes the graphical aesthetics of the 1990s, and players must strategically manage limited resources to fulfill client requests and generate revenue.
Winsage
April 26, 2026
Base-building automation games are gaining popularity, with Satisfactory receiving over 120,000 positive reviews on Steam. Factory 95, launched on April 22, 2026, features players as factory managers creating PowerPoint slide shows for clients within a Windows 95-like operating system. Players manage emails, optimize resources, and deploy tools to fulfill client requests. The game has a retro art style reminiscent of the 1990s, including a character named Pinny as a tutorial guide.
Winsage
January 16, 2026
Windows 11 includes Microsoft Paint, which is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly environment for creativity. The updated interface features a sleek layout, making tools readily available for experimentation. Paint has refined brushes and inking tools that provide a smooth, responsive drawing experience, especially with stylus use, incorporating pressure sensitivity for more authentic strokes. It also offers advanced color tools, including support for RGB, hex, and HSV color options, allowing users to maintain consistency in their projects. Users can create a mini color palette on the canvas and utilize the eyedropper tool to extract colors from references or generated images.
Winsage
December 22, 2025
Microsoft Paint has introduced a feature that allows users to automatically hide the toolbar for a cleaner workspace. This toggle keeps the toolbar hidden until needed, enhancing the user experience, especially for precision tasks. Additionally, Paint is incorporating AI features under the “Windows AI Labs” program, including the “Generative Edit” tool, which allows users to modify images through text prompts. This AI model is proprietary and not based on GPT technology. Microsoft encourages user feedback on AI-generated content and notes that features in the AI Labs may not be permanent, as they have previously tested various functionalities that did not make it into the final version of Paint.
Winsage
December 5, 2025
Microsoft is redesigning the Run dialog prompt in Windows, introducing a dark mode and a modernized interface that aligns with Windows 11 aesthetics. The revamped Run dialog resembles a contemporary launcher while retaining its core functionality, allowing users to access applications via commands. Users can toggle the new design on and off in the advanced system settings of Windows 11. Although no official announcement has been made, the modern Run prompt is expected to be included in upcoming builds. Additionally, Raycast has launched on Windows, offering a launcher, clipboard manager, and shortcut system, which may prompt further refinements to the Run dialog.
Winsage
October 26, 2025
MS Paint has introduced a new feature called Restyle, currently being rolled out for Windows Insiders in Paint version 11.2509.441.0. This feature allows users to apply preset artistic styles to existing images, accessible through Paint's Copilot menu. Users can either incorporate the generated images into their Paint canvas or save them as separate files. Restyle is designed to transform images sourced from the internet, raising ethical questions about image appropriation. The feature will only be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs.
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