# Paint.NET

Application: dotPDN LLC

Also called paint.net, paintdotnet, paint net

dotPDN LLC, Creative

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

Feex says

If paintdotnet.exe is the process, that is Paint.NET, not mspaint.exe and not Photoshop. I would not hunt Microsoft Paint to explain a .pdn file.

## 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?

**Quick photo edits**

Crop, red-eye, and simple retouch. Paint can crop. This app has layers.

**Layered screenshots**

Stack UI captures. Photoshop is overkill for this. Paint cannot do layers.

**Plugin effects**

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.

Current Windows build

## 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

PDN, PNG, JPEG, PSD

## 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 ](https://www.getpaint.net/download.html)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/ ](https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/)Vendor support                        |
| Official site | [www.getpaint.net/ ](https://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.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Adobe Photoshop: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/adobe-photoshop)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Paint.NET official site ](https://www.getpaint.net/)· Vendor product page
- [Paint.NET help ](https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: dotPDN LLC

  **Category**: Windows raster editor

  **Process**: paintdotnet.exe

  **License**: Freeware

  **First released**: 2004

  **Official site**: [getpaint.net](https://www.getpaint.net/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

---

Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/paint-net/)

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)