Windows 11 adds Paint to the context menu whether you like it or not

What you need to know

• Microsoft began testing new AI features in Paint recently, breathing new life into the classic application.
• The update adds generative fill, generative erase, improves Cocreator, and expands the Image Creator preview to more markets.
• Unnoted in the updates change log is the fact that if you’re running the latest version of Paint, you’ll see an “Edit with Paint” option within the Windows 11 context menu.

Microsoft Paint continues to receive new features despite being decades old. The creative app just received an update that added generative fill and generative erase for Windows Insiders. While it’s interesting to see AI features infused into an almost-ancient application, it’s not all good news on the Paint front. The little app that could has a new feature that is drawing some criticism. Starting with Paint version 11.2410.28.0, there is now an option in the Windows 11 context menu to Edit with Paint.

The option appears when you right-click a file that can be opened with Paint, such as a JPEG. In a vacuum, the feature seems like a welcome addition, but it is viewed as a nuisance by many. The Windows 11 context menu is cluttered on a good day and an outright mess in some cases.