A visual refresh of the MS Paint and Photos app has been unveiled, showcasing a new modern interface that matches Windows 11’s design language.
A new look has been long overdue for both Windows OS and Microsoft apps, especially since the metro interface and ribbon menu had been going stale. Thankfully, Microsoft is working on a new design for nearly all stock apps of Windows 11. The list includes Clock, Voice Recorder, Calculator, Office, Notepad, Photos, and even Microsoft Paint app.
Microsoft has now quietly posted the new look of the two most important first-party Windows apps – Paint and Photos. MS Paint is ditching the traditional ribbon menu for a Fluent header similar to the new File Explorer, and it’s consistent with the rest of the Windows 11 operating system.
As you can see in the above and below images, Windows 11’s Paint app now features a simplified toolbar. The existing ribbon interface has been replaced with a new Fluent header and it comes with all important options, such as “File,” “Edit,” brushes, and more.
In the header, you will find simple icons to perform basic tasks (such as switching between brush and pencil, copy, paste, and more). The undo/redo buttons now appear next to the “File” and “View” options in the header. Of course, MS Paint now features rounded corners and WinUI controls as part of the Windows 11 revamp.
For MS Paint, it looks like there will be no new features or improvements, and the update is all about a fresh look. However, we’ll likely learn more about the update later this year.
As mentioned at the outset, we’re also getting a new Microsoft Photos app with a new interface, improvements, and better performance. Photos app will be getting a new editing experience where the editing tools will float above the image, similar to Android or iOS mobile apps.
New Windows 11 apps coming soon
Microsoft will begin rolling out updated stock apps for Windows 11 in the next several weeks for feedback from consumers.
Apart from these apps, Microsoft is working on a new Outlook and Microsoft Teams client for Windows 11, and those apps will be based on Microsoft Edge WebViewer.
Teams 2.0 app is already available for Windows Insiders and Microsoft’s redesigned Outlook app (preview) will be released later this year
Microsoft is also planning to publish Windows 11 22H2 (next year’s feature update) in the Dev Channel of the Insider program, but new features might not be included in the initial build.