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Paint.NET 5.1.12 is the current stable free desktop release for Windows. It was released on March 8, 2026, and is available from the official Paint.NET download page. Choose the row marked Free for the Classic Desktop edition; the separate Microsoft Store edition is paid.
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Version 5.1.12 supports 64-bit Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2022 on compatible x64 or ARM64 hardware. It is not a 32-bit, Windows 7, or Windows 8.1 application.
Paint.NET 5.1.12: quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Current stable version | Paint.NET 5.1.12 |
| Release date | March 8, 2026 |
| Developer | dotPDN LLC / Rick Brewster |
| License | Classic Desktop edition is free; Microsoft Store edition is paid |
| Platform | Windows x64 and Windows on ARM64 |
| Supported Windows versions | Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2022 |
| Stable or pre-release? | 5.1.12 is stable. Paint.NET 5.2 Alpha is a separate pre-release branch. |
| Build number | 5.112.9563.32325, as reported in third-party package metadata; the release is officially identified as 5.1.12. |
The official project information is available through the current paint.net website, the 5.1.12 GitHub release page, and the Paint.NET license page.
Where to download Paint.NET 5.1.12 for free
Use the official download page:
Download Paint.NET 5.1.12 from the official website
On that page, select the download-table row marked Free. That downloads the Classic Desktop edition. Do not select the Microsoft Store button if you are specifically looking for the free version: the Store edition is a paid product, listed at $14.99 in the United States when checked. Microsoft Store prices can vary by country and can change over time.
The Classic Desktop edition is the appropriate choice if you want a free installer, an offline package, or a portable ZIP. It includes a built-in updater. The Microsoft Store edition is mainly useful if you prefer Store-managed installation and fully automatic background updates.
The current official domain is paint.net. Older documentation and bookmarks may use getpaint.net; both names can appear in historical links, but readers should begin with https://paint.net/download.html and avoid arbitrary download buttons on search-result pages. The project announced the domain transition in its official domain announcement.
Which 5.1.12 download should you choose?
The official release provides several packages. The simplest choice is the AnyCPU web installer; the other packages are for specific architectures or deployment requirements.
| Package | Choose it when | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
paint.net.5.1.12.install.anycpu.web.zip |
You are unsure which package to use or want the normal installation route. | A small web installer that obtains the appropriate supported files during setup. |
paint.net.5.1.12.install.x64.zip |
You have a conventional Intel or AMD 64-bit Windows PC. | Offline x64 installer. |
paint.net.5.1.12.install.arm64.zip |
You have Windows running on an ARM64 device. | Offline ARM64 installer. |
paint.net.5.1.12.portable.x64.zip |
You want a ZIP-based portable copy on an Intel or AMD system. | Runs from its extracted folder rather than using a conventional installation. |
paint.net.5.1.12.portable.arm64.zip |
You want a portable copy on an ARM64 Windows device. | Portable ARM64 package. |
paint.net.5.1.12.winmsi.x64.zip |
You are an administrator deploying the application through Windows Installer or enterprise tools. | For x64 deployment; not the normal choice for a personal installation. |
paint.net.5.1.12.winmsi.arm64.zip |
You need managed deployment on ARM64 Windows. | For ARM64 administrative deployment. |
Use this decision rule:
- Intel or AMD PC: choose x64.
- Windows on ARM: choose ARM64.
- Not sure: choose the AnyCPU web installer.
- Unreliable or restricted internet: choose the matching offline x64 or ARM64 installer.
- Portable workflow: choose the matching portable ZIP.
- Enterprise deployment: choose the matching MSI package.
The official GitHub release assets are the authoritative source for package types. A project mirror on SourceForge can help identify package names, but package sizes shown by mirrors are approximate and may change.
System requirements and compatibility
Paint.NET 5.1.12 is a modern 64-bit Windows application. According to the current download information and system requirements documentation, you should have:
- Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2022.
- A 64-bit CPU: Intel/AMD x64 with AVX2 support or ARM64.
- At least four CPU cores for the normal supported configuration.
- A GPU with Direct3D 11 support.
- An SSD, which is recommended and is the supported storage target for optimized operation.
- A compatible HDR or wide-color-gamut display if you want to use the relevant expanded-color display features.
- A Windows Ink-compatible pen or tablet if you want pressure-sensitive pen input.
The required Microsoft .NET 9 runtime is included with Paint.NET, so you do not normally need to download and install .NET 9 separately. Disk usage is not limited to the program files: Paint.NET can use storage for undo and redo history and temporary editing data, especially when working with large images.
Hardware caveats
- An x64 CPU without AVX2 may still run Paint.NET, but performance can be lower and that configuration is outside the project’s normal testing and optimization scope.
- A processor with fewer than four cores may work, but complex effects and large images can take longer to process.
- An HDD may work, but it will generally provide slower temporary-file and history performance than an SSD and is not the optimized supported storage target.
- A GPU without Direct3D 11 support can shift more work to the CPU. Effects may become particularly slow.
Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and 32-bit Windows
Paint.NET 5.1.12 does not support Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or 32-bit/x86 Windows. The developer previously identified the 4.3.x branch as the final branch for those legacy systems, with Paint.NET 4.3.12 listed in that compatibility context.
That is a legacy-compatibility note, not a recommendation to remain on an obsolete release. If possible, upgrade Windows and use the current 5.1.12 release. A third-party page that says 5.1.12 supports Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or 32-bit Windows is showing stale or inaccurate metadata.
How to install the free Classic Desktop edition
- Open paint.net/download.html.
- In the download table, select the Free Classic Desktop entry.
- Choose the AnyCPU web installer if you are unsure, or choose the matching x64 or ARM64 installer.
- Download the ZIP file and open it or extract it to a folder.
- Run the installer executable inside the package. The documentation refers to it generically as
Paint.NET.<version>.install.exe; the current package uses the 5.1.12 naming scheme. - If User Account Control appears, check that the publisher is DOTPDN LLC before allowing the installer to continue. Do not disable Windows security protections merely to run an installer.
- Select Express for the standard installation, or Custom if you need to change the installation directory or available options.
- Select your preferred language, accept the license, and complete setup.
- Start Paint.NET and open its About or Diagnostics information to confirm the installed version. The Diagnostics area displays the application version and system information.
The official step-by-step installation guidance is in Install Paint.NET. Installing current Windows updates before setup is also recommended by the official documentation.
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How to update Paint.NET 5.1.12
Classic Desktop edition
- Open Paint.NET.
- Click the gear icon to open Settings.
- Open Updates.
- Click Check Now.
Existing Classic installations should offer the 5.1.12 update through the built-in updater. The manual Settings → Updates → Check Now command starts the check immediately. You can also download the current installer from the official site and run it over an existing Classic installation.
Microsoft Store edition
The Store edition is updated by Microsoft after Store certification and normally receives updates automatically in the background. This convenience is the principal reason to choose it over the free Classic Desktop edition.
What changed in Paint.NET 5.1.12?
Paint.NET 5.1.12 is a small maintenance release, not a major redesign. Its complete version-specific change list is:
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- Added the Kazakh translation.
- Updated the bundled DDS FileType Plus plugin to version 1.12.14.
- Updated the bundled JPEG XL FileType plugin to version 1.2.1.
Those are the changes documented in the official 5.1.12 announcement. They should not be confused with all of the larger features introduced in the 5.1 line.
What Paint.NET 5.1 introduced
If you are updating from a much older release, the more significant changes come from Paint.NET 5.1, released in 2024. The 5.1 release announcement describes improvements including:
- Full color-management support.
- Support for HDR and wide-color-gamut displays.
- Reduced memory usage and improved input latency.
- Broader GPU acceleration for effects and adjustments.
- New and revised blur effects.
- A higher minimum operating-system requirement.
- Updated bundled support for formats and file-type components including AVIF, DDS, and WebP.
These 5.1 improvements are part of the current 5.1 branch, but they are not new features introduced specifically by 5.1.12.
What Paint.NET can do
Paint.NET is a Windows-only raster image and photo editor. It sits between the simplicity of Microsoft Paint and the broader, more demanding workflows of professional graphics applications. It is not a vector editor, a cross-platform application, or a complete Photoshop replacement.
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- Layers: create transparent layers, reorder them, and use blend modes for compositing.
- Tabbed images: keep multiple images open in one interface.
- History: undo and redo edits through the available memory and disk space.
- Adjustments and effects: correct color and exposure, sharpen, blur, distort, and stylize images.
- Color management: work with profiles such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, Display P3, and ProPhoto RGB.
- GPU-assisted processing: use supported graphics hardware for rendering and some effects.
- Plugins: add community-developed effects, adjustments, shapes, and file-format support.
The official feature and documentation hub is Paint.NET documentation.
Supported file formats
Paint.NET supports PDN, PNG, JPEG, JPEG XL, JPEG XR, BMP, GIF, TGA, DDS, TIFF, HEIC/HEIF, WebP, and AVIF. Support is not identical for every format: some formats are handled by bundled native file-type plugins, and HEIC/HEIF may require a Microsoft codec depending on the Windows installation.
In particular, AVIF, DDS, WebP, and JPEG XL support should not be interpreted as proof that every format is implemented directly in the core application. The bundled file-type components are part of the supplied Paint.NET package, while separately downloaded plugins come from third-party authors.
Classic Desktop versus Microsoft Store
| Classic Desktop | Microsoft Store | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid; listed at $14.99 in the U.S. when checked, with regional and time-sensitive pricing |
| Installation | Website installer, offline packages, portable ZIP, or MSI | Microsoft Store installation |
| Updates | Built-in updater | Store-managed automatic updates |
| Best for | Most users seeking the free edition, offline setup, portable use, or release assets | Users who prioritize automatic background updates and want to support development through a purchase |
Paint.NET’s official licensing FAQ says the functional difference is primarily update behavior: the Store version provides fully automatic updating. Do not assume that the Store edition has a separate editing feature set unless a current official source says so.
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Licensing and commercial use
The free Classic Desktop edition may be used for personal, academic, commercial, government, nonprofit, and other for-profit work under the terms of the official license. The license also permits free redistribution of the unmodified Classic release when access to it is not sold.
That permission does not mean you may modify and sell altered copies, or freely reuse Paint.NET libraries outside the license terms. Community plugins are separate software and may have their own authors, licenses, and redistribution rules.
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Stable 5.1.12 versus Paint.NET 5.2 Alpha
As of August 10, 2026, 5.1.12 remains the current stable release. Paint.NET 5.2 Alpha build 9688, published July 10, 2026, is a separate pre-release for testers and developers. It is not the normal replacement for 5.1.12.
The 5.2 Alpha line includes experimental work such as a new FileType plugin system, a rewritten high-precision layer-rendering engine, and changes related to HDR behavior. Those alpha-only changes should not be advertised as features of the stable 5.1.12 download. For production work, established plugin compatibility, and ordinary users, 5.1.12 is the safer choice. The project’s release list separates stable releases from pre-release builds.
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Common installation problems and fixes
The installer will not run
- Confirm that Windows is Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, Windows 11, or Server 2022.
- Confirm that the operating system is 64-bit.
- Choose the correct architecture: x64 for Intel or AMD, ARM64 for Windows on ARM.
- Install current Windows updates and restart if required.
- If the web installer cannot retrieve its files, download the complete matching offline installer instead.
- Check the installer publisher is DOTPDN LLC. Do not bypass security warnings simply because a download page claims to be Paint.NET.
The program is slow
Check whether the computer has AVX2, four or more CPU cores, Direct3D 11 GPU support, and an SSD. Large images, complex effects, and a large undo history can also increase processing time and storage use. A non-AVX2 CPU or unsupported GPU may still start the program but can deliver slower performance.
Panels or utility windows are missing or off-screen
Press Windows key + R, enter the following command, and press Enter:
paintdotnet:/resetWindowsThis resets the position and size of the Tools, History, Layers, and Colors utility windows. The command is documented in Advanced diagnostic launching.
A plugin may be preventing startup
Run:
paintdotnet:/disablePluginsThis starts Paint.NET without loading plugins. If the application works normally, investigate recently installed third-party plugins.
Paint.NET will not start and you need diagnostic information
Run:
paintdotnet:/diagnosticsThis displays diagnostic information even when Paint.NET cannot load normally.
The Classic installation may be damaged
Run:
paintdotnet:/repairThe Classic-only repair utility verifies the installation and checks the integrity of its files.
Hardware acceleration causes visual artifacts
Open Settings → Graphics and test with hardware acceleration disabled. This can resolve rendering glitches, but it may reduce performance and shift more work to the CPU. Re-enable acceleration if the problem is not related to the GPU.
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A plugin disappeared
- Restart Paint.NET; newly installed plugins are detected after a restart.
- Check that the plugin is in the correct plugin location for the edition you installed.
- For a portable copy, use the portable application’s plugin folders.
- If Windows marked a downloaded DLL as blocked, open its file properties and unblock it when appropriate.
- Inspect Settings → Plugin Errors.
Classic and Store editions can use different plugin locations, and file-type plugins normally add extensions to the Open and Save dialogs rather than appearing as ordinary menu commands. See the official plugin installation guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should use Paint.NET?
Paint.NET is a strong fit for Windows users who need basic or intermediate photo correction, cropping, resizing, annotation, compositing, or layer-based image work without a subscription. It is also useful for game-texture workflows involving DDS files and for people who want a more focused interface than GIMP or Photoshop.
It is a weaker fit for:
- Linux or macOS users, because Paint.NET is Windows-only.
- Advanced vector illustration.
- Full professional print-production workflows.
- Non-destructive adjustment-layer workflows expected in higher-end editors.
- Professional HDR editing. The stable 5.1 branch should not be confused with the more experimental HDR work described for 5.2 Alpha.
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| Application | Where it may be a better choice | Trade-off compared with Paint.NET |
|---|---|---|
| GIMP | Users who want a powerful free editor with broader platform support and extensive customization. | Its interface and workflow can be more complex for straightforward Windows image editing. |
| Krita | Digital painters and illustrators who need a painting-focused tool, brushes, and broader creative workflow support. | It is less narrowly focused on quick photo editing and simple compositing. |
| Photoshop or Photoshop Elements | Professionals or serious hobbyists needing advanced retouching, automation, print workflows, or a larger commercial ecosystem. | Photoshop is more complex and subscription-oriented; Elements is paid and has a different feature balance. |
| Browser-based editors | Users who need occasional edits without installing Windows software, or who work across operating systems. | They may depend on internet access, impose file-size or privacy limits, and usually provide less dependable desktop plugin and file-format workflows. |
Paint.NET’s most distinctive balance is a focused Windows desktop interface, layers, history, plugins, and a free Classic edition without requiring a subscription. It is best viewed as a capable raster editor rather than a universal replacement for every graphics application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paint.NET 5.1.12 really free?
Yes. The Classic Desktop edition is free. The Microsoft Store edition is a separate paid version; its U.S. listing was $14.99 when checked, but regional prices and availability can change.
Is Paint.NET 5.1.12 safe to download?
The safest route is the official download page at https://paint.net/download.html or the official 5.1.12 release assets on GitHub. Verify that the Windows installer publisher is DOTPDN LLC, and avoid unofficial download buttons and stale mirrors.
Does Paint.NET 5.1.12 work on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1?
No. Version 5.1.12 requires Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, Windows 11, or Server 2022. Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and 32-bit Windows are not supported.
Which download is for an Intel or AMD PC?
Use the x64 package. If you are unsure about your architecture, use the AnyCPU web installer. Choose ARM64 only for Windows devices running on ARM64 hardware.
Does Paint.NET work on Windows 11 ARM?
Yes, use the ARM64 installer or ARM64 portable package, provided the device meets the other requirements, including compatible graphics support.
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Do I need to install .NET 9 separately?
No. Paint.NET 5.1.12 includes the required Microsoft .NET 9 runtime.
What is the portable version?
The portable edition is a ZIP-based package intended to run from its extracted folder without a conventional installation. You manage the folder and updates yourself, and portable plugins belong in the portable application’s plugin folders.
Why does Microsoft Store ask me to pay for Paint.NET?
The Store edition is paid, while the Classic Desktop edition remains free. Return to the official download table and select the row marked Free.
How do I update the free edition?
Open Paint.NET, click the gear icon, go to Settings → Updates, and select Check Now. You can also download the latest Classic installer from the official website.
Can I use Paint.NET commercially?
Yes. The official license permits personal, academic, commercial, government, nonprofit, and for-profit use, subject to its restrictions on modified redistribution and library reuse.
Can I install plugins?
Yes. Paint.NET supports community-developed effects, adjustments, shapes, and file-format plugins. Restart the application after installing one, check the correct edition-specific plugin location, unblock a DLL if Windows has blocked it, and review Settings → Plugin Errors if necessary.
Should I install Paint.NET 5.2 Alpha instead?
Usually not. Paint.NET 5.1.12 is the stable release for ordinary and production use. 5.2 Alpha is a separate pre-release intended for testing and experimentation, with alpha-only plugin, rendering, and HDR-related changes.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows users, download the free Classic Desktop AnyCPU web installer from paint.net/download.html. Choose the x64 offline package for an Intel or AMD PC when you need a fully offline setup, ARM64 for Windows on ARM, portable ZIP for a nontraditional installation, and MSI only for managed deployment. Paint.NET 5.1.12 is stable and current; the paid Store edition is optional, and Paint.NET 5.2 Alpha should be treated as experimental.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
