Microsoft appears to be transforming the Windows 11 Paint application into something reminiscent of Adobe Photoshop. In its latest test release, Paint introduces a project feature, allowing users to save their work as files with the .paint extension.
Much like Photoshop’s PSD format, a .paint file preserves the editing state of an image or project rather than compressing it into a non-editable format such as JPG or PNG. This means users can reopen .paint files to continue editing or share them with others for collaborative adjustments.
Of course, Paint cannot rival Photoshop in terms of professional depth. While Photoshop supports an extensive range of states and advanced features, Paint’s project files are limited to storing layers, canvas size, transparency, and basic tool usage—enough to cover fundamental editing needs for most users.
In practice, users can open a .paint file directly from the menu, save existing images as projects, or export completed work into formats such as PNG, JPEG, AVIF, or HEIC. Any later modifications can be made simply by reopening the .paint file.
Another noteworthy addition is the opacity slider, designed for users who wish to create soft shadows or highlights within Paint. Similar to Photoshop’s functionality, it allows precise control over the transparency of brush or pencil strokes—useful, for example, when rendering the shadows of grass or trees.
These features are included in version v11.2508.361.0, which is currently being tested under the Windows Insider program. Users enrolled in the preview channel can obtain the update through the Microsoft Store.