Paint.NET
Also called paint.net, paintdotnet, paint net
A Windows raster editor that sits between Paint and Photoshop. paintdotnet.exe is the process. It is not Microsoft Paint.
What you need to know
Paint.NET sits between Paint and Photoshop. It is not mspaint.exe.
Paint.NET is a freeware layered editor. Microsoft Paint is mspaint.exe. Photoshop is Adobe's paid editor. A .pdn file is this app.
- What is it?
- Windows raster editor
- Still current?
- Yes, see Current status
- Official download?
- Use the vendor link in this article
What is Paint.NET?
Paint.NET is a layered raster editor for Windows. A .pdn document holds layers. The Windows executable is paintdotnet.exe.
If you have never used it
Paint.NET is a free Windows image editor with layers. It is not Microsoft Paint (mspaint.exe) and it is not Photoshop. Download it from getpaint.net/download. The Microsoft Store listing is a paid convenience SKU. The classic installer is the usual one.
What is it used for?
Crop, red-eye, and simple retouch. Paint can crop. This app has layers.
Stack UI captures. Photoshop is overkill for this. Paint cannot do layers.
Community plugins add effects. Those are Paint.NET plugins, not Photoshop filters.
Who is it for?
- Windows users who outgrew Paint
- People who do not want Photoshop
- Anyone who confused paintdotnet.exe with mspaint.exe
Current status
Paint.NET (2004) is a current windows raster editor from dotPDN LLC. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.getpaint.net/download.html.
How old is it?
Paint.NET started in 2004 as a Windows student project and became dotPDN's freeware editor. It is younger than Paint and younger than Photoshop. Current builds still use paintdotnet.exe.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit, per dotPDN |
|---|---|
| RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Follows what you open inside the app
- RAM demand
- Follows documents, tabs, or libraries
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| paintdotnet.exe | Main Windows executable |
|---|
Startup components
Paint.NET does not need to start with Windows.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\paint.net\ |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Opened Microsoft Paint by habit
mspaint.exe has no .pdn layers. Open paintdotnet.exe.
Store vs installer mix-up
The Store listing can be a paid SKU. getpaint.net documents the classic freeware installer.
Getting unstuck
Confirm paintdotnet.exe
Program Files\paint.net is the app. mspaint.exe is Windows Paint.
Install from getpaint.net
Avoid random paint-net.exe hosts.
Disable a plugin if startup fails
A third-party effect can crash launch. That is a Paint.NET plugin, not a Windows fault.
Alternatives
GIMP and Photoshop overlap. Microsoft Paint does not replace Paint.NET for layers.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | www.getpaint.net/download.html Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/ Vendor support |
| Official site | www.getpaint.net/ Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
Any current Windows 10 or 11 PC runs it. Huge images want RAM.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Paint.NET official site · Vendor product page
- Paint.NET help · Vendor support
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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