A highly-requested feature is finally coming to Paint in Windows 11

Besides releasing three new Windows 11 preview builds (one in the Dev Channel, one in the Beta, and one in the Canary), Microsoft pushed a new update for Paint, Windows 11's default image editor. Version 11.2601.391.0 is now available for download with a highly-requested feature: freeform rotate.

With freeform rotate, you can rotate a selection to any degree. Previously, Paint would only let you rotate a selected area by 90 or 180 degrees. Now, at long last, you can highlight something and then rotate it with a handle. Here is how Microsoft describes the change:

With Paint version 11.2601.391.0, we’re excited to introduce freeform rotate, a highly requested feature that gives you more control when editing your artwork. You can now rotate shapes, text, and any active selection to any angle. To get started, open Paint and select a shape, text, or selection. When the object is active, use the rotate handle above it to rotate freely in any direction. For more precise control, you can also choose Custom rotate from the Rotate menu and enter a specific angle. Try using freeform rotate in your artwork to adjust elements exactly the way you want and add more flexibility to your creative workflow.

And here is the feature in action:

Freeform rotate in Paint is now rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channel. However, if you do not want to wait for Microsoft to release the update to all users, you can get the necessary msix bundle file from the store.rg-adguard.net website and then install it manually.

In other news, Microsoft recently updated Paint with a new AI-powered feature that lets you generate coloring books.

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Posted Saturday 21 February 2026 at 6:21 am AEST (my time).

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