Microsoft makes modified version of Paint available to W11 test users

Microsoft has revamped its Paint app and made it available to Windows Insiders running Windows 11 in the Dev Channel. The app has, among other things, a modified toolbar.

Microsoft says it has given a modern twist to the classic Windows drawing program. Paint for Windows 11 includes rounded corners and a ‘Mica’ design style. Mica is the name Microsoft gives to the technique for automatically aligning the hue of an app surface with a background color. Microsoft uses this frequently in Windows 11.

The toolbar has been simplified with Paint for Windows 11 and the icons have been changed. There is also a drop-down menu with drawing tools for brush strokes and rotation, among other things. Also the tool to enter text has been changed to be able to work faster with texts in images. Microsoft is promising more changes. Paint has yet to get support for a dark theme, there will be a centered canvas and the dialog boxes will receive an update.

In terms of functionality, Paint is almost identical to the existing version. The more comprehensive Paint 3D app is not part of Windows 11 by default. Users must optionally install it from the Microsoft Store.