What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
PhotoScape X Pro is a legitimate Windows photo utility distributed through the Microsoft Store. It combines everyday editing with background removal, batch processing, collages, GIFs, screen capture, image combining and other tools in one approachable app. It suits beginners, small-business owners, social-media creators and photographers who want convenience—not a complete replacement for Photoshop or a specialist RAW workflow.
For the safest installation, start at the official PhotoScape website and follow its Windows link to the Microsoft Store listing.
#1 Best Overall
- Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
PhotoScape X Pro at a glance
| Item | What is verified |
|---|---|
| Platform | Windows PC |
| Official download channel | Microsoft Store, reached through the official PhotoScape website |
| Free edition | PhotoScape X |
| Paid edition | PhotoScape X Pro |
| Official Windows requirement | Windows 10 version 1709 or later, 64-bit |
| Older Windows versions | The official site directs Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 users to PhotoScape 3.7 |
| Observed US price signal | $39.99 in Microsoft Store search results; this is a dated signal, not a guaranteed current price. Check the live Store checkout for your region. |
| Current version number | Not reliably established by the inspected official material |
The official compatibility information is older than the current date, so treat the Windows 10 requirement as documented guidance rather than proof that every Windows 11 configuration will work. Check Store eligibility on the specific PC before purchasing.
What is PhotoScape X Pro?
PhotoScape X Pro is an all-in-one image utility rather than a narrowly focused professional retouching application. Its tools cover the path from viewing and selecting images to making corrections, creating graphics and exporting batches of files.
The official feature list includes:
- Photo, video and audio browsing
- Image editing and creative effects
- Background removal
- Batch editing, resizing, renaming and format conversion
- Collage and image-combining tools
- Animated GIF creation
- Printing, screen capture and color picking
- Image splitting
- HDR merging and focus stacking
- Macro recording for repeatable actions
“Pro” is the paid edition of PhotoScape X. It is not a separate traditional installer obtained from an unrelated download website.
Is PhotoScape X Pro safe and legitimate?
Yes—PhotoScape X Pro is a legitimate application when obtained through the official Microsoft Store route. The official PhotoScape site directs Windows users to Microsoft Store, and the official Windows page identifies PhotoScape X and PhotoScape X Pro.
Use this safety checklist:
- Begin at the official PhotoScape website or use the official Microsoft Store listing.
- Confirm that the product name and publisher information match before installing.
- Avoid cracked, repacked, “portable” or third-party free-Pro installers.
- Do not assume that a download portal offering a visible .exe file is equivalent to the Store version.
Because this is a Store-distributed application, installation may open the Microsoft Store instead of downloading a conventional installer file. The absence of a visible installer file does not mean installation failed.
Windows compatibility and prerequisites
Verified compatibility guidance
| Item | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 | Version 1709 or later, 64-bit, according to the official PhotoScape site. |
| Windows 11 | Check current Microsoft Store eligibility on your PC; the older site wording does not prove universal compatibility. |
| Windows 7, 8, Vista and XP | The official site directs users to PhotoScape 3.7 rather than PhotoScape X. |
| Delivery | Microsoft Store. |
| Account | A Microsoft account is normally needed for Store installation and purchase management. |
| RAM, storage and GPU | No dependable current minimum specifications were established in the inspected sources. |
Do not force PhotoScape X onto an unsupported older Windows system. If you use Windows 7 or earlier, consult the official site’s guidance for PhotoScape 3.7 instead. That is a different generation of the application.
How to download and install PhotoScape X Pro
- Open the official PhotoScape website.
- Choose the Windows download link.
- Follow the link to the Microsoft Store.
- Open the PhotoScape X or PhotoScape X Pro listing.
- Select Get, Buy or the equivalent button shown for your account and region.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account used for the purchase, if prompted.
- Install the application.
- Launch PhotoScape X from the Windows Start menu.
- If the free edition is installed, use the in-app or Store upgrade route to obtain the Pro entitlement.
Store labels, prices and availability can vary by country, account and promotion. Microsoft Store search results showed a US price signal of $39.99 in research checked on August 18, 2026. Confirm the final checkout amount, tax and licensing terms in the live Store for your region.
What happens after a Microsoft Store purchase?
A Store purchase is generally associated with the Microsoft account used for the transaction. A Microsoft Q&A response describes reinstalling the application on another laptop after signing in with the same Store account, but this is community guidance rather than a definitive PhotoScape licensing policy. The available evidence does not establish a universal device limit, transfer policy, refund policy or perpetual-license guarantee.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #2
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
If installation or Pro access fails
- Confirm that Windows is 64-bit and meets the documented Windows requirement.
- Open Microsoft Store and sign in with the account that made the purchase.
- Check Library or the Store’s owned-app section.
- Update Windows and Microsoft Store.
- Use Windows Settings to repair or reset the Microsoft Store app. Menu names vary by Windows release.
- Restart the PC and try again.
- Check regional availability, payment status and whether the purchase completed.
- Do not use an unofficial installer as a workaround.
If the Store listing does not load in a browser, open it in the Microsoft Store app or retry after signing in. The web listing may not display correctly in every browser context.
PhotoScape X versus PhotoScape X Pro
PhotoScape X is the free edition with the core application and a selection of editing tools. PhotoScape X Pro is the paid upgrade intended to unlock additional filters, effects, assets and advanced functions.
The official material does not provide a complete, current feature-by-feature comparison table. Therefore, do not assume that every feature advertised on the general PhotoScape site is exclusive to Pro. Check the current Store listing or the entitlement shown inside the application before paying.
Likewise, the available evidence does not conclusively establish whether every current purchase is perpetual, subscription-based, transferable between computers or limited to a particular number of devices. Read the live checkout terms for your account and region.
Recommended Free Tools
The most useful PhotoScape X Pro features
1. Viewer and lightweight organization
The Viewer can browse photos, videos and audio and includes loupe and full-screen views, flags, star ratings, lossless rotation, sharing and EXIF, IPTC and GPS metadata viewing.
This makes it useful for quickly sorting a shoot before editing. It is better understood as a lightweight inspection and triage tool than as a full digital-asset-management system. If you share a photograph publicly, inspect its metadata first: GPS information may reveal where it was taken. The official material confirms metadata viewing, but does not establish the exact current workflow for removing metadata.
2. Everyday editing
The Editor includes crop, resize, rotate, straighten, flip, circular crop and perspective crop tools. It also provides masks or local adjustments, frames, objects, brushes, drawing tools, text and graphic overlays, filters, effects, projects and the official site’s “Redo+” feature.
For painting-related work, this combination is useful for preparing reference images, cropping process photographs, adding labels to technique demonstrations, creating before-and-after graphics and producing social-media images without opening a larger professional suite.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
The official site advertises more than 1,000 filters and effects along with numerous frames, stickers, figures, overlays, films, textures and lens flares. Treat these as figures advertised by the site, not permanent specifications; they may change between releases.
3. Cut Out: background removal
Cut Out provides three main approaches:
- Magic Eraser: quickest when the subject and background have clear color separation.
- Lasso: useful when you want to manually outline the subject.
- Brush: useful for refining areas and correcting missed or unwanted regions.
Background removal is not automatically perfect. Zoom to 100% or higher around hair, fur, foliage, glasses, shadows and semi-transparent objects. A clean-looking result at fit-to-screen size can still show halos or missing edge detail when placed on a new background.
4. Batch editing and conversion
Batch tools can apply edits to multiple photos, resize images, change formats and rename files. This is one of the clearest reasons to choose PhotoScape X Pro over a basic single-image editor.
A safe workflow is:
- Create separate folders such as Originals, Working, Exports, Web and Print as appropriate.
- Copy important images rather than editing the only originals.
- Test the settings on three to five files with different orientations and dimensions.
- Export to a new folder.
- Inspect several results before processing the entire collection.
This matters especially when using a naming pattern, resize rule, filter or macro across hundreds of files.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
5. Collage and Combine
Collage places several images into a template or framed layout. Use it for contact sheets, portfolios, product boards and social posts with controlled cells.
Combine joins images vertically or horizontally into one image. It is better for simple strips, before-and-after comparisons, long screenshots and step-by-step process images.
6. Animated GIF creation
PhotoScape X can create animated GIFs. GIF is appropriate for short, simple animations and limited-color graphics, such as a quick painting-process loop or interface demonstration. It is not a substitute for a full video editor, especially when you need sound, long sequences, smooth motion or modern compression.
7. Screen Capture and Color Picker
Screen Capture is useful for tutorials, software guides, reference boards and interface examples. Color Picker can sample colors from reference images or on-screen artwork when building a palette or preparing a graphic.
Rank #4
- Complete Package - Get 4 pieces of light blue LCD Writing Tablet Pen with 4 Hanging anti-loss rope, featuring durable ABS+Nylon construction and a comfortable 4.45-inch length for a reliable writing and drawing experience
- Anti-Loss Design - Each Replacement Stylus Pens anti-loss lanyards for Doodle Board Drawing Tablet includes a secure hanging rope, preventing misplacement and ensuring your stylus is always handy when needed
- Premium Material - Crafted from sturdy ABS plastic and a flexible nylon tip, these stylus pens resist breaking and deformation, offering long-lasting performance and smooth, consistent contact with your LCD writing tablet scree
- Universal Compatibility - Designed specifically for LCD writing boards and doodle pads, these pens fit most brands' tablet memory slots. Note: Not compatible with Pad, smartphone, or standard tablet PCs
- Ergonomic & Portable - With a slim profile, these pens provide a comfortable grip and are easily portable, making them a practical accessory for on-the-go use
8. HDR merge and focus stacking
Photo Merge includes HDR merging and focus stacking. These workflows work best when the source images are aligned and consistently framed.
Moving subjects, camera movement, changing exposure conditions or inconsistent focus can create ghosting and other artifacts. For a painting reference, use a stable camera and consistent framing before attempting a merge.
9. Macros and Projects
Macros record multiple actions and replay them. They can save time when you repeatedly perform the same sequence, but test a macro on copies first. Recorded actions may not behave identically with different image dimensions, folders or layouts.
The feature list also includes Projects. Save an editable project when you expect to revisit text, objects, masks or layout elements. Do not assume that every operation is fully non-destructive unless the current build’s documentation confirms it.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Choosing the right output format
| Format | Good for |
|---|---|
| JPEG | Photographs and smaller web files. |
| PNG | Graphics, screenshots and images where transparency matters. |
| GIF | Simple animations and limited-color graphics. |
| WebP | Web delivery where the target platform supports it. |
The official site has mentioned a WebP quality option in historical update notes. Format support, metadata handling and editing behavior can vary by build, so confirm the available options in the current application.
Do not assume that every format supports every editing feature or metadata field. Keep an original copy when quality, transparency or embedded information matters.
Who should pay for PhotoScape X Pro?
PhotoScape X Pro is a good fit if you want one approachable Windows application for:
- Quick corrections rather than complex professional retouching.
- Collages, stickers, frames and creative effects.
- Simple subject cut-outs.
- Batch resizing, renaming and format conversion.
- Screen capture and GIF creation alongside photo editing.
- A Microsoft Store installation instead of a manually managed installer.
It may be a poor fit if you need:
- High-end professional retouching.
- Extensive RAW development and camera-profile control.
- Advanced layer compositing comparable to Photoshop.
- Sophisticated print color management.
- Video editing beyond simple animated GIFs.
- A guaranteed current native installer outside Microsoft Store.
- Enterprise deployment or detailed administrative controls.
The inspected sources do not provide current benchmarks, detailed RAW compatibility tables, GPU requirements or a professional workflow comparison. Do not choose PhotoScape X Pro on the assumption that it has been performance-tested for your particular PC or camera.
Best Value
- Wacom Intuos Small Bluetooth Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- Wireless Superior Connectivity: Connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or directly using USB-A cable which enables you to work, draw or create whether it's at a desk, on the sofa, in classroom or even outside
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
Alternatives to consider
| Alternative | Best for | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| GIMP | Users who need a free desktop editor | Free and open-source with extensive customization; less immediately intuitive for many beginners |
| Affinity Photo | More advanced layer-based editing | Stronger professional controls and a different licensing model; less focused on instant collages and batch utilities |
| Adobe Photoshop | Professional compositing, retouching and ecosystem features | Much deeper professional workflow; generally less attractive to users seeking a simple, low-cost utility or wanting to avoid recurring costs |
| Paint.NET | Lightweight Windows raster editing | Simpler focus, without PhotoScape’s integrated viewer, collage, GIF and broad utility toolbox |
| Canva | Templates, social graphics and collaboration | Stronger browser-based design workflow; less suitable for detailed local pixel editing or sensitive files kept offline |
Verify current pricing and licensing on each vendor’s official site. Prices, plans and availability vary by region and can change.
FAQ
Is PhotoScape X Pro free?
PhotoScape X is the free edition; PhotoScape X Pro is the paid upgrade. Check the current Store listing or the app for the features included with each edition.
Can I download PhotoScape X Pro as a standalone .exe?
The official Windows route leads to Microsoft Store, which may install the app without providing a conventional visible installer file. Avoid third-party installers claiming to offer free Pro access.
Does PhotoScape X Pro work on Windows 11?
The official site specifies Windows 10 version 1709 or later, 64-bit, but its compatibility information is old. Check the Store listing on your Windows 11 PC rather than assuming universal support.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIs PhotoScape X Pro a Photoshop replacement?
It is an approachable all-in-one utility for common editing, batch work and creative tasks. It is not automatically a substitute for Photoshop’s advanced compositing, professional retouching or broader workflow capabilities.
What should I do if Pro features do not appear after purchase?
Sign into Microsoft Store with the account used to buy the app, check Library or owned apps, and verify payment and regional availability. Store repair and restart steps may also help; avoid unofficial installers.
Final verdict
PhotoScape X Pro is worth considering when you want breadth and convenience: editing, cut-outs, batch operations, collages, GIFs, screen capture and creative assets in one Windows application. Its safest download path is the official PhotoScape website leading to Microsoft Store.
Try the free PhotoScape X edition first if you are unsure whether the interface suits you. Choose GIMP when free desktop editing is the priority, Affinity Photo or Photoshop when you need more advanced professional control, and Canva when template-driven social or marketing design matters more than local image editing.
Quick Recap
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.
