Microsoft introduced tabbed browsing to Paint in late 2023, ending nearly four decades of single-window frustration for an app bundled with Windows since 1985. Users can now juggle multiple canvases without cluttering their taskbar, each tab maintaining independent undo-redo histories and supporting drag-and-drop workflows. Combined with layers, dark mode, and AI-powered features like Cocreator, Paint has evolved from a barebones doodling tool into a surprisingly capable multitasking workhorse. The modernization proves legacy applications can meaningfully evolve when developers prioritize usability over nostalgia—scroll further for implementation details and workflow improvements.

Microsoft has quietly transformed one of Windows‘ most enduring applications into a multitasking powerhouse. Paint, the humble drawing tool that’s been bundled with Windows since 1985, finally gained tabbed browsing in late 2023 with the Windows 11 22H2 update. Yes, the same Paint where you once created pixelated masterpieces on your family’s desktop computer now handles multiple canvases like Chrome manages a dozen shopping tabs.

Paint’s transformation from pixelated nostalgia to multitasking powerhouse proves legacy apps can evolve without losing their accessible charm.

The feature arrived via update KB5031455 on 26 October 2023, following extensive testing in Windows Insider Dev Channel builds. For those tracking Microsoft‘s modernisation efforts, Paint tabs appeared alongside a broader transformation that included layers, dark mode, and AI-powered image generation through Cocreator. It’s part of the same update cycle that brought tabs to Notepad, signalling the company’s commitment to dragging its classic applications into the present decade.

Here’s what makes this genuinely useful rather than just cosmetic: switching between canvases happens through the top ribbon without Alt-Tab gymnastics or cluttering your taskbar with multiple Paint windows. Each tab maintains independent undo-redo histories, meaning you won’t accidentally erase work on Canvas B while tweaking Canvas A.

Drag-and-drop functionality between tabs facilitates quick compositing workflows that previously required external tools or clunky workarounds. The technical implementation shows thoughtfulness beyond surface-level imitation of browser tabs. The layers panel integrates seamlessly with the tabbed interface for non-destructive editing across multiple projects.

Dark mode applies uniformly to all open tabs simultaneously, avoiding the jarring experience of inconsistent theming. Project files saved as .paint format preserve tab-specific settings, while the opacity slider for Pencil and Brush tools remains accessible regardless of which tab you’re working in.

For power users—or anyone juggling reference images alongside active projects—the workflow impact registers immediately. Settings persist across tabs without repetitive configuration. AI-generated content from Cocreator loads directly into new tabs, streamlining experimental workflows.

The Colouring Book feature on Copilot+ PCs generates pages that open in fresh tabs, ready for immediate editing. The fill tolerance function allows users to adjust fill strength precisely, controlling how much area the fill tool covers with each application. Notepad has received parallel improvements, with version 11.2512.10.0 introducing Markdown syntax features like text strikethrough and nested lists for enhanced document formatting. These aren’t revolutionary changes individually, but collectively they eliminate friction points that accumulated over decades of single-window limitations.

Microsoft’s Inbox Apps team deserves credit for executing this modernisation without breaking the simplicity that made Paint accessible to generations of users. The tabs feel native rather than bolted-on, mirroring Notepad’s implementation while respecting Paint’s visual-focused purpose.

Available to all Windows 11 users running version 22H2 or later, the feature completed stable rollout by late 2023 without major regressions. The transformation reveals something larger: even legacy applications can evolve meaningfully when developers prioritise genuine usability over the preservation of familiar limitations.

Paint’s tabbed interface isn’t flashy, but it fundamentally improves how people work with multiple images—and sometimes, that’s precisely what belongs in an update.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft’s recent tab integration in Paint modernizes the application, making it a more efficient workspace tool for casual users managing multiple edits. While it won’t replace Photoshop, it showcases Microsoft’s dedication to enhancing legacy apps. If you’re looking to optimize your Paint experience or need help with any tech issues, the Computer Repairs Perth Team is here to assist you. Don’t hesitate—click on our contact us page to get in touch today!