Microsoft Paint is getting its own Photoshop-like project files

Microsoft has been steadily improving its Paint app for Windows 11 in recent years with a dark mode, transparency and layers, and even AI-powered image creation. Now, Microsoft is adding two new Photoshop-like features to Paint.

You’ll soon be able to save your Paint creations as a project file, much like a Photoshop Document (.PSD). The Paint project files are currently being tested with Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels. “You can now save your creation as an editable Paint project file and seamlessly pick up where you left off,” explains Dave Grochocki, principal product manager lead for Microsoft’s Windows inbox apps.

Paint files will be stored with, you guessed it, a .paint file extension. Paint files will store your layers inside the file, too. “When you’re ready to return, simply open the file to launch it in Paint, right where you left off,” says Grochocki.

Microsoft is also adding opacity sliders to adjust the transparency of the pencil and brush tools in Paint. “To get started, select either tool and use the slider on the left side of the canvas to adjust the opacity to your desired level,” says Grochocki.

If you’re a fan of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, Microsoft is also adding a quick markup feature that makes it easier to annotate screenshots. There’s a highlighter, pen, and eraser tool in the markup toolbar, as well as the ability to easily re-crop an image.

Finally, Microsoft is also adding AI-powered write, summarization, and rewrite as a free feature inside Notepad for Copilot Plus PC users. You won’t need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use this, but Grochocki says you can “seamlessly switch between local and cloud models based on your needs.” Microsoft is using the local models on Copilot Plus PCs to power this Notepad feature.