Microsoft Paint has been part of Windows for decades, and in Windows 11, it has a refreshed design, better tools, and even support for dark mode. Whether you’re a beginner doodling for fun, editing screenshots, or doing quick image touch-ups, Paint is a simple but powerful tool. But what if you get stuck? Don’t worry — this guide explains how to get help with Paint in Windows 11, covering built-in help options, shortcuts, features, troubleshooting, and tips for making the most of it.
Key Takeaways (Quick Summary)
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Microsoft Paint is included free with Windows 11 and offers basic image editing tools.
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You can get help from the Get Help app, F1 shortcut, and Microsoft Support.
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Paint lets you crop, resize, draw, add text, and save images in multiple formats.
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If Paint isn’t working, you can reset, repair, or reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
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Dark mode, new brush tools, and integration with Windows Snipping Tool make it more useful than ever.
1. What is Microsoft Paint in Windows 11?
Microsoft Paint is a free graphics editor built into Windows. It’s not Photoshop, but it’s great for quick edits like cropping, resizing, annotating screenshots, or adding text to images. In Windows 11, Paint has:
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A new modern interface that matches Windows 11’s design.
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Dark mode support.
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New brush and shape tools.
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Better keyboard shortcut support.
2. Where to find Paint on your PC
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Press Windows key + S, type Paint, and press Enter.
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Or, go to Start → All apps → Paint.
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You can also right-click Paint → Pin to taskbar for quick access.
3. Different ways to get help with Paint
A. Using the Get Help app
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Open the Start menu.
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Type Get Help and launch the app.
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Search for “Paint” to see official Microsoft help articles.
B. Using the F1 shortcut
While in Paint, press F1. This opens Microsoft’s online Paint help page in your browser.
C. Searching online or Microsoft Support
If you need tutorials, tips, or troubleshooting guides, Microsoft’s support site and community forums are helpful places to check.
4. Step-by-step guide: Basic tasks in Paint
Opening an image
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Open Paint.
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Click File → Open.
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Browse and select your picture.
Cropping and resizing
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Click Select → Rectangular selection.
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Highlight the area you want to keep.
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Click Crop on the toolbar.
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To resize: Go to Resize → choose percentage or pixels.
Adding shapes and text
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Select Shapes from the toolbar.
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Draw rectangles, circles, or arrows.
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To add text: Click A (Text tool), draw a text box, and type.
Drawing and painting tools
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Use the Brushes dropdown for different styles.
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Adjust size and color in the toolbar.
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Use Fill to color large areas.
Saving in different formats
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Click File → Save as.
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Choose PNG, JPG, BMP, or GIF.
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Name your file and save.
5. Advanced features worth trying
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Dark mode: Available in Settings → Personalization → Colors.
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Background removal (basic): Use Select + Delete.
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Screenshot editing: Paste screenshots directly into Paint (Ctrl + V).
6. Step-by-step: How to reset or repair Paint
If Paint isn’t working properly:
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Press Windows + I (Settings).
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Go to Apps → Installed apps.
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Search Paint → click Advanced options.
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Choose Repair (keeps data) or Reset (restores defaults).
7. Troubleshooting common Paint issues
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Paint won’t open → Repair or reinstall from Microsoft Store.
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Slow or freezing → Update graphics drivers.
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Missing Paint app → Open Microsoft Store, search Paint, and reinstall.
8. Tips and tricks for faster use
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Ctrl + Z: Undo changes.
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Ctrl + Shift + Z: Redo changes.
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Ctrl + E: Image properties.
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Ctrl + W: Resize.
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Shift + drag: Draw perfect circles/squares.
9. When to use Paint vs. Paint 3D or third-party apps
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Use Paint for quick edits, cropping, resizing, and annotations.
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Use Paint 3D if you need 3D objects or advanced effects.
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Use Photoshop/GIMP if you need professional editing.
10. FAQs about Paint in Windows 11
Q1: Is Paint free in Windows 11?
Yes, it comes pre-installed at no cost.
Q2: Can I install Paint if I accidentally deleted it?
Yes, reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
Q3: Does Paint support layers?
No, for layers you’ll need Paint 3D or advanced editors.
Q4: How do I use dark mode in Paint?
Enable Windows dark mode, and Paint automatically follows.
Q5: Can Paint open PSD (Photoshop) files?
No, Paint only supports basic formats like PNG, JPG, BMP, and GIF.
11. Final Thoughts
Microsoft Paint in Windows 11 remains a lightweight, handy tool for quick edits and image tasks. If you ever get stuck, you can use the Get Help app, the F1 shortcut, or Microsoft’s support resources. For more complex needs, Paint 3D and professional editors are available — but for simplicity, Paint still does the job.