Start File Explorer and browse your computer to the drive where Windows is installed. In Windows 10, Paint is not in the same location as it is in Windows 11. The location of the Paint executable in Windows 11 Just replace C: with the letter for the drive where Windows is installed and USERNAME with the name of your user. In Windows 11, start File Explorer, then insert the following path in the File Explorer address bar in order to access the folder where the app is installed: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
If you need the location of the Paint executable, here’s how to access it.
Locate the Paint executable in Windows 11 and Windows 10 This launches Paint and, if you’re in the company of a colleague, you also show off your Windows knowledge! 8. Now, type “ mspaint” and press Enter (or click the Go to arrow button next to the address bar). Open a File Explorer window ( Windows + E), then click or tap on the address bar. This works for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Many people do not know this, but you can use File Explorer to run commands or open executables from its address bar. Then click or tap on OK, or press Enter on your keyboard. Launch Run (a quick way to do that is to press the Win + R keys on your keyboard) and enter “ mspaint” in it. Use the Run windowĪnother method for opening Paint is to use the Run window. In the “ Create new task” window, type “ mspaint” and press OK. If the Task Manager opens in its compact mode, click or tap on “ More details.” Then, open the File menu and click or tap on “ Run new task.” A quick way to launch Task Manager is by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard. How to start Paint using Task ManagerĪnother way to open Paint in both Windows versions is to use the Task Manager. Start Paint using Terminal, Command Prompt or PowerShell First, start Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal, and then type “ mspaint” in any of them, followed by the Enter key. If you like working with command-line tools, you can launch Paint with this method. Use Command Prompt, PowerShell or Terminal TIP: If you want more info on creating shortcuts, read this guide on how to create shortcuts for apps, files, folders, and web pages.Ĥ. In the Location field, simply enter mspaint Use the shortcut you just created to open Paint anytime you wish. Make sure to specify mspaint as the target of the shortcut, then name the shortcut and you’re done. How to create a new shortcut on your desktop Choose Shortcut in the menu that appears. Simply right-click or press and hold anywhere on the desktop, then hover or tap on New. Create a shortcut to Paint on your desktopįor both Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can create a shortcut to Paint on your desktop, if you plan to use the app frequently. The Paint shortcut in the Windows 10 Start Menu 3. Expand it, and you should find a shortcut for Paint inside. In Windows 10, the procedure is even simpler: open the Start Menu and scroll the list of apps until you reach the folder called Windows Accessories. Scroll down and click/tap on Paint to start the application Next, scroll through the app list (which is sorted alphabetically) until you reach Paint and click on the icon. Press All apps to see the list of applications in Windows 11 To start Paint in Windows 11 using the Start Menu, you need to first open it by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard or by clicking/tapping on the Start button. Use the search function to locate and open Paint 2. This method is identical for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Once the search results are shown, click or tap on Paint. Simply press the Windows key on your keyboard or click/tap on the Start button in the taskbar, then type “ paint” and wait for the search results to appear. The quickest way to open Paint is to use the Search function. If you do not know what version of Windows you have, read this tutorial: What version of Windows do I have installed? 1. We have detailed instructions for both operating systems in each section. NOTE: This guide covers Windows 11 and Windows 10. Once the search results are shown, click or tap on Paint.Simply press the Windows key on your keyboard or click/tap on the Start button in the taskbar, then type “ paint ” and wait for the search results to appear.