Paint.NET download for Windows

Paint.NET sits between Windows Paint and the heavyweight editors. It opens fast, it has layers, an unlimited undo history and a solid set of adjustments and effects, and most people find their way around it in minutes. It runs on Windows only and is free to download, though it is not open source.

Where to get Paint.NET

The program's official home is now paint.net; the old getpaint.net address redirects there. Its download page gives two routes:

• Free, from the developer's own site, dotPDN.
• Paid, from the Microsoft Store. It is the same editor delivered through the Store; buying it is optional.

The free download from dotPDN is a small zip containing the installer. If you need something else, the developer points to the project's GitHub releases for offline installers, portable ZIPs and MSI packages for deployment.

Be careful with other download sites. The name is easily confused, and the developer's own links are the safe route.

Will it run on your PC?

Current Paint.NET is demanding about the basics, not about power. It needs:

• Windows 11, Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, or Windows Server 2022.
• A 64-bit processor with at least four cores: Intel or AMD with AVX2 support, or ARM64.
• A graphics card that supports Direct3D 11.

The .NET runtime it uses is included, so there is nothing else to install. Older processors without AVX2 cannot run the current version.

Getting started

Layers. The Layers window sits at the bottom right. Put text, shapes or a pasted image on a new layer (Layers, Add New Layer) so you can move or delete it later without touching the photo underneath.

Adjustments and Effects. Two separate menus. Adjustments covers brightness, curves, levels, hue and saturation. Effects holds blurs, sharpening, distortions and artistic filters.

Selections. The Magic Wand selects areas of similar colour. Hold Ctrl to add to a selection and Alt to subtract from it.

History. Every step is listed in the History window. Click any earlier step to go back to it.

Saving. The .pdn format keeps your layers. PNG and JPEG flatten the image into a single layer, so keep a .pdn copy if you might edit again.

Plug-ins

Much of Paint.NET's reach comes from community plug-ins, which add effects, file formats and tools. The paint.net forum is where they are published. Install only plug-ins from authors you trust, and follow each one's own instructions.

Limits

Paint.NET is Windows only. It is not a RAW photo developer, it does not work in CMYK for print, and text cannot be edited again once you have finished placing it. For heavier work, GIMP goes further, at the cost of a steeper learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paint.NET free?

Yes, the version from the developer's site costs nothing. The Microsoft Store edition is a paid option. Paint.NET is freeware, not open source.

Can Paint.NET open Photoshop files?

Not by itself. A community plug-in adds PSD support; layers usually come across, more advanced features may not.

Why will Paint.NET not install on my older PC?

Usually because the processor lacks AVX2, or Windows is older than version 21H2. Both are hard requirements of current releases.

Is Paint.NET the same as Microsoft Paint?

No. It began as an alternative to Paint, but it is a separate program with layers and effects.