Microsoft Paint was my go-to doodling app as a kid, and I spent hours creating basic drawings and using the fill tool to create abstract pictures. I eventually got bored with its simplicity and moved on to apps like Photoshop and CorelDRAW that offered more features. I recently tried Paint again on my new laptop after a lengthy hiatus and was pleasantly surprised by its updated looks and modern features, which now match some paid apps.
Things have come full circle, and I now appreciate Paint's uncluttered design and user-friendly interface, which anyone can use without effort. It has the perfect balance of simplicity and modern features to make it worthwhile for people wanting a free image editing app that's light on resources. If you're still paying for image-editing apps, here are five reasons it's time to come back to Microsoft Paint.
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5 It's free
No subscription required
My list of subscriptions gets longer by the month, and using a free app that doesn't require me to pay to unlock certain features is refreshing. Not only is Microsoft Paint free, but it's also baked into my system and doesn't require any downloads or an online connection.
Another benefit of Microsoft Paint is that it's included on nearly every functioning PC worldwide, and you can use it in hotels, internet cafés, and countless other locations. It's probably the world's most accessible imaging app, and you'll always have access regardless of whether you have your laptop with you or not.
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4 AI Tools
The new standard
AI tools can be a contentious issue, but there's no arguing that they have their place and can make things easier. Microsoft Paint offers an excellent balance by including basic AI tools, like Generative Erase, Remove Background, and Image Creator.
These features require an internet connection, which isn't a big deal. I take countless product photos daily and often use the Generative Erase function to remove unwanted objects in the background. I also use the Remove Background function to edit product labels and logos and copy them onto a transparent layer. The Image Creator is more of a fun toy for basic images, and better options are available if you want to input complicated prompts.
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3 Layers
Takes paint to the next level
It's hard to believe that after so many years of existence, Microsoft Paint only got a layering tool in 2023. I suppose it's better late than never, and the update was a game-changer that finally elevated the app to a tool that creators could take seriously.
The easily accessible layer button lets you add multiple layers to an image and merge or duplicate them. This means you can add an image to paint, then add effects, shapes, or other images on top of it to create something new. This function lets you create transparency effects and save your creation as a PNG file to retain the background.
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2 Lightweight design
Minimal resources required
I love that Microsoft Paint works well on any PC because of its lightweight design. Other graphics apps are known for being resource hogs, and I've experienced freezing and lag when using them with countless browser windows and other open apps running simultaneously. I've never had that issue with Microsoft Paint, and it never skips a beat, no matter what else I'm doing.
Speaking of open apps, I also like having multiple instances of Paint running simultaneously to work on independent projects. I often have one instance open to copy and paste screenshots, and have others open for editing images. Performance remains smooth throughout, and Paint barely uses 300MB of RAM with ten open windows.
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1 User-friendly
Anyone can use it
Microsoft Paint's uncluttered interface is user-friendly for beginners who can get the hang of it in no time. Other, more sophisticated graphics apps have horizontal and vertical menus around the workspace and can often overwhelm new users with so many options. Paint keeps things simple with a horizontal bar at the top that contains all the features and is the perfect stepping stone before trying advanced rivals.
The menu is logically laid out into sections to display the tools, brushes, shapes, and colors. Most options are displayed on-screen, so you can find the shape or color you're looking for without digging into the menu to find them. Other Microsoft apps, like Word and Excel, have moved on to a modern file menu, but Paint offers retro charm with its basic interface and options like Save and Save As, which anyone can use.
Is it worth using Microsoft Paint for graphics work?
Microsoft Paint is great for beginners and is free and accessible on every PC. It's worth trying if you want a lightweight, responsive app for basic graphics work. However, it has its limitations, and you can always try Gimp, PhotoShop and other paid tools if you need advanced features.