If you typed "Paint.NET free download," you likely remember it as the free successor to MS Paint and want to confirm it still is one. dotPDN LLC keeps Paint.NET free for personal and commercial use, funding development through optional donations and a paid Microsoft Store listing that is functionally identical to the free version. It is Windows-only, built specifically around the .NET framework and Windows' GDI+ rendering. Here is the direct link plus a note on the free-vs-store-listing distinction that confuses new users.
Free Download vs Microsoft Store Listing
Paint.NET on the Microsoft Store costs a small fee purely to fund continued development, while the exact same application is available free from the developer's own site — there is no feature difference between the two. The free version self-updates by checking dotPDN's servers directly.
Its plugin system, built by a long-running community, adds filters and file-format support (like WebP or DDS) that are not in the base install, so check the plugin index if you need a specific format.
Who ends up using Paint.NET
Former MS Paint users and casual photo editors on Windows rely on Paint.NET daily.
- Bloggers resizing, cropping, and annotating screenshots before publishing a post
- Hobbyist photographers layering and color-correcting images without a Photoshop subscription
- Former MS Paint users who outgrew basic tools but don't need professional software
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Paint.NET before you request the link: it only ships for Windows, so double-check that's the machine you're installing it on before you request the link. And on pricing, Paint.NET is free to use outright — there's no paid tier hiding behind it, so what you install is the whole app. It's developed and maintained by dotPDN LLC.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Download the free installer from the official site rather than paying on the Store
- Install and let it self-update on first launch if a newer build exists
- Add community plugins to the Effects or FileTypes folder for extra formats
Paint.NET: the honest trade-offs
- Unlimited layers and blend modes in a lightweight app
- Large community plugin library adds formats and filters
- Stays fast and responsive even on older Windows PCs
- Windows-only, with no Mac or Linux build available
- Lacks Photoshop-level adjustment layers and advanced masking tools
FreeSoftwareX links to dotPDN's own free-download page, avoiding the paid Microsoft Store listing entirely.
Other Photo & Graphics downloads people search for
Browse the full Photo & Graphics category →
Keeping Paint.NET up to date
Paint.NET typically checks for updates from inside the app, or you can just re-download the current installer from the official source periodically — reinstalling over the top keeps your settings. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Paint.NET page.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Paint.NET cost money on the Microsoft Store?
The Store listing charges a small fee only to support development; the identical app is free when downloaded from the developer's website.
Does Paint.NET support layers like Photoshop?
Yes, it includes unlimited layers, blend modes, and a history palette, though it lacks Photoshop's advanced adjustment layers.
