Microsoft is on a slow path to making Paint a useful tool for actual creators by finally implementing one of Photoshop’s core features: layers. As part of a update is rolled out for testing by Windows Insiders (version 11.2308.18.0, available to some people in the Canary or Dev channels), Microsoft Paint introduces support for both layers and transparency. These features have long been table games for general editing in Adobe Photoshop, but they are key to performing proper image manipulation and digital art. And most importantly, they come to an app that is free to use on Windows.
In the new version of Paint, users can use the core features needed to work with layers (adding new layers, moving them around, rearranging them, merging, duplicating, etc.) to create more advanced art with stacked image elements. Another key part of this update is image transparency, including support for opening and saving transparent PNG files without backgrounds – dovetailing nicely with another recent Paint addition that brought in a background removal tool.
I know a lot of this may seem super basic if you’ve been using powerful tools like Photoshop for as long as many of us have, but it looks like a win for Windows users who just want easy image manipulation without the expensive subscriptions tied to software truly designed for working professionals. As Adobe’s prices are rising and other services like Canva put these tools behind a paywall, I look forward to the day when I can tell family members that it’s okay to use Paint for basic family photo collages instead of making them open Pandora’s Box by starting a Photoshop free trial.
If you want to try out the new Paint tools for yourself, you can join the Windows Insider Canary or Dev channels and wait for the update to come your way; however, it may not be immediately available to everyone.
