How to Install Paint.NET Shapes

Your step-by-step guide to Paint.NET happiness!

Most custom Paint.NET shapes are distributed as XAML files located inside of a ZIP file. These instructions will lead you step-by-step through the install process. Before you begin, please close Paint.NET if it is open.

After finding a custom shape on the web that you wish to install, click the link to the ZIP file to start the download process. For example, to install the BoltBait Custom Shape Pack, click the following link: BoltBaitsShapes.zip then, follow the instructions below to install these shapes to your computer.

Step 1: Once the download starts, you will be prompted with the following message:

Click the "save as" button to save the ZIP file to your computer.

Note: If you are using Chrome instead of Internet Explorer, after clicking the download link, your screen will look like this:

If so, click the file name as shown above and skip to step 4 below.

Step 2: When prompted for the "Save as" file name, click the "Desktop" button on the left, then the "Save" button as shown here:

Step 3: When the download is complete, click the "Open Folder" button:

This will open a window showing the ZIP file that you downloaded.

Right-Click on that ZIP file and choose "Extract All" from the menu that appears.

When prompted, click the Extract button.

Step 4: When the file list window opens, press Ctrl-A to select all of the files in that window:

Right-click the mouse on one of the selected files and choose "Copy" from the context menu that appears.

Step 5: Next, find your Paint.NET icon (either on your desktop or start menu), right-click on it and choose "Properties" from the menu that appears:

Step 6: When the "Properties" window opens, click the "Find Target" (XP) or the "Open File Location" (Win7) button:

This will open a Windows Explorer window to your Paint.NET directory.

Step 7: In the Paint.NET directory, double-click on the "Shapes" folder.

Step 8: In the Shapes folder, right-click the mouse and choose "Paste":

If you have followed the instructions carefully, you should see the following message during the copy process:

This is perfectly normal. Simply click the "Continue" button to finish installing your new shapes.

When the copy is finished, restart Paint.NET and look in the Shapes menu for your new custom shapes.

Saying "Thanks!"

If this page helped you install custom shapes and you'd like to say "Thanks" for helping. You can buy me a cup of coffee by filling out this form:

I'm glad I was able to help.

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