Windows 11 MS Paint- versions with and without layer function

Dear all

A new MS Paint came wtih Windows 11.

In a newer version of Windows 11 MS Paint (version 2308) / not the basic version, the layer function was introduced.

An image file created with an early version (before version 2308) of Windows 11 MS Paint, that does not have the layer function - filename A
An image file created with the lastest version of Windows 11 MS Paint, that has the layer function - filename B

When comparing the bits of the two files, for example using fcb / b, are the two files then identical?

I have updated my MS Paint to the version with layer function, so I can't check it out.

Thank you

Into_Oblivion1 said:

When comparing the bits of the two files, for example using fcb / b, are the two files then identical?

I have updated my MS Paint to the version with layer function, so I can't check it out.

Click to expand...

I have saved the Windows 10 version of Paint and can run both versions at once. I can create a .png image in the old Paint (png supports layers) open it in new Paint then save it with a new name.




The two files are not the same.





The new pain seems to have added a lot of metadata.

@Into_Oblivion1

Or maybe grab Paint Shop Pro instead...

Bree said:

I have saved the Windows 10 version of Paint and can run both versions at once. I can create a .png image in the old Paint (png supports layers) open it in new Paint then save it with a new name.

The two files are not the same.

The new pain seems to have added a lot of metadata.

Click to expand...

That was very kind of you, trying it out.
This I already knew.
I have already compared Windows 10 Paint and Windows 11 Paint files myself.

I was interested in comparing files created by Windows 11 Paint (version before layer function) and Windows 11 Paint (version after layer function).

Into_Oblivion1 said:

I was interested in comparing files created by Windows 11 Paint (version before layer function) and Windows 11 Paint (version after layer function).

Click to expand...

That's a tall order, nobody has Windows 11 or Paint that old. The only way I could test that would be with a clean install of 22H2....

...fortunately I can do that in a VM and get W11 Paint without layers as it came 'out of the box'



Then open and 'save as' in the latest Paint.



Here you go, zipped image files attached. Knock yourself out

Bree said:

That's a tall order, nobody has Windows 11 or Paint that old. The only way I could test that would be with a clean install of 22H2....

...fortunately I can do that in a VM and get W11 Paint without layers as it came 'out of the box'

Then open and 'save as' in the latest Paint.

Here you go, zipped image files attached. Knock yourself out

Click to expand...

You are a god among men

Created by W11 Paint before Layers
24 bit depth
2.527 byte

Created by W11 Paint before Layers - opened and resaved with layered Paint
32 bit depth
2.979 bytes

As you can see above, the two files have very different bytes. That is because, when you open Paint and create a PNG file, Paint saves it as bit 24. Wheresas when you open a PNG file in Paint it adds another 8 bit (the alpha channel). This is a given for ALL verions of Paint, also Paint on Windows 10. I have tinkered alot with Paint, that is why I know this.

So unfortunately, this does not tell us, wether the two versions of W11 Paint actually does the same.

I would really much like, that you conduct another experiment:

Run the old Paint 11.2201.22.0 / pre-layer
Save the default motive as:
24-bit bitmap

Run the newest Paint / with layer
Save the default motive as (given the motive is the same as above Paint pre-layer):
24-bit bitmap

You are welcome to send me the files again, or compare them yourselves

How to compare two files, bit by bit
fc /b "file directory\filename.(format)" "file directory\filename.(format)"