Paint application

Winsage
December 1, 2025
Microsoft has released the Windows Ugly Sweater for 2025, featuring characters like Clippy and the Paint application in celebration of the company's upcoming 50th anniversary. It is available for purchase through the Microsoft Company Store. The tradition began in 2019 with the Windows XP Ugly Sweater, initially gifted to influencers, and became available to a wider audience in 2020. Subsequent themes included Minesweeper in 2021, Clippy in 2022, and the Windows XP Bliss wallpaper in 2023. There was no Ugly Sweater in 2024, but it has returned for 2025.
Winsage
September 24, 2025
Microsoft has introduced enhancements to the Paint application for Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, including the ability to save projects as a new .paint file format. This feature allows users to return to ongoing creations without starting anew. Additionally, Paint will now include opacity sliders for adjusting the transparency of brush and pencil tools, located on the left side of the interface. These updates aim to position Paint as a more competitive creative tool alongside advanced graphic design applications like Photoshop. The update has received mixed responses from users, with some expressing concerns over the modernization of classic applications. Microsoft has also rolled out improvements to other applications, such as the Snipping Tool, which now features Quick Markup for more efficient screenshot annotation.
Winsage
September 21, 2025
The "Paint" application from Microsoft has received an update for Windows 11 users, introducing a new "Project File" format that allows users to save images with layers and edits intact, similar to Photoshop's PSD format. This feature is currently available for users in the preview versions of Windows 11 under the "Canary" and "Dev" channels. Additionally, a slider for controlling the transparency of pen and brush tools has been added, enabling users to create shading effects more easily. The update is part of broader enhancements to Windows applications, including improvements to the Snipping Tool and Notepad. Users can access the new features by joining the Windows 11 Insider program and updating to the latest version.
Winsage
September 18, 2025
Microsoft is introducing a new initiative called "Windows AI Labs" for Windows 11 users, allowing them to test experimental AI features in Microsoft Paint. Users can sign up to provide feedback on these features, although some have faced technical difficulties during enrollment. The initiative aims to gather insights from participants to refine AI enhancements before their mainstream release. Additionally, Microsoft has updated Paint to support project files similar to Adobe Photoshop and has introduced on-device AI generation tools in Notepad. Currently, the Windows AI Labs program is exclusive to Paint, but it may expand to other applications in the future.
Winsage
September 18, 2025
Microsoft is rolling out an update (version 11.2508.28.0) to its Notepad application, introducing AI-powered features that allow users to summarize, write, and rewrite text. These features are available to Windows Insider members with Copilot+ PCs and do not require a subscription, although subscribers can switch between local and cloud models. Currently, the AI tools are available only in English. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Paint to allow saving as editable project files and introducing a Quick Markup feature for the Snipping Tool. These updates are part of a strategy to encourage users to upgrade from Windows 10, which will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025.
Winsage
September 18, 2025
Microsoft's Paint application, introduced in 1985, is receiving significant upgrades in the latest Windows 11 Insider builds, making it more comparable to professional software like Adobe Photoshop. Key features include a new project file format (.paintproject) that allows users to save layered, editable compositions, and adjustable brush opacity for improved transparency control. These updates enhance Paint's capabilities, including previously added layers and transparency support. The changes aim to position Paint as a free alternative to subscription-based tools, potentially impacting Adobe's market share among casual creators and small businesses. Future updates may include full PSD import/export functionality, facilitating better collaboration with Photoshop users.
Winsage
August 5, 2025
Cybercriminals are using a sophisticated attack method involving a remote access trojan called RoKRAT, which is embedded within standard JPEG image files. This technique, a variant of steganography, allows the malware to evade detection by conventional security systems. The attack is linked to an advanced persistent threat group known as APT37. The process involves embedding a malicious module within a JPEG file, which, when opened, triggers the malware to inject its code into the MS Paint application. Researchers found that the RoKRAT module is often concealed in images downloaded from cloud storage services, complicating detection efforts. Authorities are warning users to exercise caution with files from unverified sources and to keep their security systems updated.
Winsage
July 24, 2025
Microsoft has rolled out new features for Windows 11, transitioning tools from testing to general availability. Key additions include semantic and agentic search functionalities in the Settings menu, allowing users to express queries in natural language and request specific tasks. The Click-to-Do feature now integrates with Copilot and a new Reading Coach application for context-aware actions. Paint has been upgraded to allow AI-generated stickers and includes a new object select tool for easier image editing. The Photos app will introduce a Relight feature for dynamic lighting effects, limited to devices with Snapdragon X processors. The Snipping Tool has a new “perfect screenshot” feature that uses AI for improved selection, and a new Black Screen of Death and rapid recovery option have reduced crashes and restarts by 22%.
Winsage
July 23, 2025
Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence into Windows 11 with new features, including Copilot Vision, which serves as a remote assistant processing information in the background. Windows 11 is positioned as the home for AI, offering features like Recall, Click to Do, and enhanced search capabilities. Copilot Vision captures continuous screenshots for analysis using optical character recognition and a large language model, with data processed on Microsoft servers. User data is not stored long-term, except for conversation transcripts with the Copilot assistant. The update introduces an "agentic" AI capable of adjusting system settings based on natural language commands, currently available on Copilot+ systems with Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware, with Intel and AMD support expected. Microsoft has also enhanced the "Click to Do" feature and introduced AI capabilities in applications like Photos, Paint, and the Snipping Tool. The traditional Blue Screen of Death has been replaced with a Black Screen of Death, which promises a more readable error message format. Additionally, Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop 5G, featuring a 13.8" display, Intel Core Ultra processors with a neural co-processor, and optional 5G connectivity, expected to be available in 2025.
Search