How to Uninstall Paint.NET | Complete Removal Guide

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🤔 Why Is It Hard to Uninstall Paint.NET?

Paint.NET is a popular free image and photo editing software for Windows, offering advanced features beyond Microsoft’s built-in Paint app. While it’s easy to install and use, many users struggle to completely remove Paint.NET from their systems, especially when:

• The standard uninstaller leaves behind registry entries
• Configuration files remain in hidden folders
• Plugins or add-ons aren’t removed automatically
• Multiple versions were installed over time
• Portable editions weren’t manually deleted

These leftover components can cause system clutter, take up unnecessary space, or conflict with future installations of Paint.NET or other software.

In this article, we’ll explore why uninstalling Paint.NET isn’t always straightforward, provide step-by-step methods to fully remove it from your Windows PC, and give you the success rate of each method. We’ll also introduce top uninstall tools — with special praise for PerfectUninstaller, the most effective solution for complete removal.

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📦 What Is Paint.NET?

Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software originally developed at Washington State University as a student project. Now maintained by its community and developers, Paint.NET supports layers, effects, and a wide range of plugins. Key features include:

• Layer-based editing
• Advanced drawing tools
• Real-time effects rendering
• Plugin support (e.g., Effects Plus)
• Lightweight and fast performance

Because of its modular design and optional installation types (standard vs portable), a full removal often requires more than just using the built-in uninstaller.

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🔧 Step-by-Step Ways to Uninstall Paint.NET

✅ Method 1: Use Windows Settings (Success Rate: 60%)

This is the simplest method but often leaves behind registry keys, configuration files, and plug-ins.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I > Go to Apps > Installed apps
2. Search for Paint.NET
3. Click Uninstall
4. Follow the on-screen prompts

📌 Note: This removes the main program only — not plugins, brushes, or settings.

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✅ Method 2: Remove via Control Panel (Success Rate: 70%)

Control Panel gives more detailed access to installed programs.

Steps:

1. Open Control Panel
2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features
3. Find Paint.NET
4. Right-click > Uninstall

💡 Tip: Also check for entries like “Paint.NET Add-ons” or “Paint.NET Plugins”.

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✅ Method 3: Manual Cleanup of Leftovers (Success Rate: 85%)

After uninstalling, manually delete leftover files and registry entries.

Steps:

1. Delete these folders if they exist:

• C:\Program Files\Paint.NET
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Paint.NET
• C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Paint.NET
• C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Paint.NET

1. Remove registry keys:

• Press Win + R, type regedit
• Navigate to:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Paint.NET
  and
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Paint.NET

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can be risky — always back up before proceeding.

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✅ Method 4: Use the Built-in Uninstaller (Success Rate: 90%)

If you installed Paint.NET using the official installer, a dedicated uninstaller may be present.

Steps:

1. Go to the installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Paint.NET)
2. Look for a file named uninst.exe or uninstall.exe
3. Run it as administrator and follow the instructions

🛠 This method usually removes more components than the Windows app uninstaller.

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🛠️ Top Tools That Help Uninstall Paint.NET

Tool Name	Description	Success Rate
PerfectUninstaller	Deep cleans all traces including registry, cache, logs, and system services	⭐ 98%
Revo Uninstaller	Removes leftover files and tracks registry changes	⭐ 85%
IObit Uninstaller	Offers forced uninstall and browser cleanup	⭐ 80%
Geek Uninstaller	Lightweight and fast removal tool	⭐ 75%

🌟 Why PerfectUninstaller Stands Out

Unlike generic uninstallers, PerfectUninstaller performs a deep scan that removes every trace of Paint.NET — including:

• Hidden registry keys
• Leftover DLLs and configuration files
• Plug-ins, brushes, and context menu integrations

It supports forced uninstallation of stubborn entries and features an intuitive interface perfect for both beginners and advanced users.

🔗 Download PerfectUninstaller Here

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✅ Summary: Best Way to Remove Paint.NET

Here’s how to choose the right method based on your experience level:

• Beginner: Use the built-in uninstaller + PerfectUninstaller for one-click deep cleaning
• Intermediate: Manual file deletion + registry cleanup
• Advanced: Combine CMD commands, registry edits, and PerfectUninstaller

Always remember to restart your computer after uninstalling to ensure all changes take effect.

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💡 Final Pro Tip

To keep your system clean and efficient:

• Always read installation steps carefully — avoid bundled software
• Set up a scheduled maintenance routine using trusted tools like PerfectUninstaller
• Regularly scan for leftover drivers, toolbars, and unused programs