Paint.NET review

Paint.NET is the simplest free upgrade from the editor that ships with Windows. Its site describes image and photo editing software for Windows PCs with layers, unlimited undo, special effects and a wide range of tools, and it started as a free replacement for Microsoft Paint. Version 5.2 was released on November 10, 2026 and runs on Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, which matters for people who have not moved to Windows 11. It bundles its own .NET runtime and supports Windows Ink pens and tablets. The hardware floor is higher than you might expect for a light app: a 64-bit CPU with AVX2 or ARM64, at least 4 cores and a Direct3D 11 GPU. It does not list RAW development or a photo library, so photographers who shoot RAW should look at darktable or Affinity. We compared documented features and published requirements.

Who it is for

Windows 10 and 11 users who want a light, free editor

Price

Free download; optional paid version on the Windows Store to support development.

Get it now (free download): Paint.NET 5.2
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Layers with unlimited undo
• Special effects and a wide set of editing tools
• Runs on Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer
• Supports pens and tablets with Windows Ink
• Optional HDR and wide color gamut display support

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free download, version 5.2 released November 10, 2026
• Strength: Supports Windows 10 (21H2 or newer) as well as Windows 11
• Strength: Bundles the .NET runtime, so nothing else to install
• Weakness: Windows only
• Weakness: Needs a 64-bit CPU with AVX2 or ARM64 and at least 4 cores
• Weakness: No RAW development or photo library features listed

Key facts

• Price: Free download
• Latest version: 5.2
• Windows: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (21H2 or newer)
• Developer: Rick Brewster

Where it ranks

Paint.NET is No. 4 in our Best Photo Editing Apps for Windows verdict.