MS Paint's new Restyle: quick filters or AI slop?
Microsoft just pushed another AI feature into Paint. It's called Restyle, and it turns any image into preset looks like "pop art." It lives in the Copilot menu and lets you add the result to your canvas or save it as a separate file.
It's rolling out to Windows Insiders with Paint version 11.2509.441.0. There's a catch: it appears to be limited to Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs for now, so most creatives on Intel or AMD may not see it yet.
What Restyle actually does
Think style transfer with training wheels. You feed it an image, pick a preset, and Paint spits out a reworked version. Based on Microsoft's example, the look leans heavy and surface-level-more posterized filter than intentional style.
Unlike Cocreator (which at least starts with your sketch), Restyle is a one-click transformation. That's handy for speed, but thin on control.
Why this matters if you create for a living
One-click filters risk flooding feeds with low-effort edits. Worse, Restyle could make it easier to conceal where an image came from, which is a headache for anyone who cares about originality and licensing.
If you ship client work, provenance and permissions matter. Treat Restyle like any disposable filter-use it for exploration, not as a shortcut to "original" art.
- Don't restyle images you don't have the rights to. A filter won't fix a license problem.
- Keep originals, track sources, and document edits for clients and teams.
- Expect limited control. If you need dialed-in results, you'll outgrow this fast.
- Use it for moodboards, social drafts, or teaching kids-places where speed beats precision.
Where to find it
Update Paint to version 11.2509.441.0 via the Microsoft Store (Windows Insider builds). Open Paint, look for the Copilot menu, choose Restyle, pick a preset, and generate. You can drop the result on your canvas or save it separately.
Feature availability is currently tied to Copilot+ PCs on Snapdragon chips. Broader support hasn't been confirmed yet. For general updates, check the Windows Insider blog or Microsoft's page on Copilot+ PCs.
Quality expectations
These are presets, not nuanced controls. Expect bold shifts and on-trend looks, but also artifacts and a "same-y" feel across outputs. If you want distinct style, you'll need more than a dropdown.
Smart ways to use Restyle
- Rapid ideation: generate quick variations to test vibe, then rebuild by hand.
- Content placeholders: fast looks for internal decks or social drafts.
- Education: let kids explore style concepts without heavy tools.
If you want real control
Level up with tools and workflows that give you precise levers-custom models, mask-based edits, and prompt control. If you're building a professional AI art workflow, start here:
Bottom line
MS Paint isn't sacred anymore-AI is baked in. Restyle is a fast filter, not a craft tool. Use it for quick looks and experiments, keep your sourcing clean, and don't let presets define your style.
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