GIMP for Windows

Free, professional-grade image editor

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a completely free image editor that packs many advanced tools typically found in paid software. It lets you retouch photos, craft illustrations, build icons and design assets, and manipulate images without any cost. Originally developed for Linux, it now runs on Windows and macOS as well, offering capabilities comparable to well-known editors like Adobe Photoshop.

Workspace layout and supported file types

The application’s workspace is organized for efficient editing: a central canvas for image work and two auxiliary panels that house toolboxes, menus, layers/channels, and other controls. The interface is now more approachable than in earlier releases, and performance has been improved in many areas.

GIMP can open and work with a wide range of image formats — including RAW, JPEG and PSD — detecting most files automatically so you can continue editing right away. Note, however, that Photoshop does not natively read GIMP’s XCF files, and interoperability is limited in that direction.

Notable changes in the newest release

• Support for ASE and ACB palette files has been added, making it easier to import color swatches from other design tools.
• A new FG→Transparent (Hardedge) gradient allows sharp transitions from the foreground color to transparency and can be used with the Repeat control to generate patterned shapes over transparent areas.
• GIF handling now respects non-square pixel aspect ratios when images include a PixelAspectRatio header; to view these correctly, ensure the View menu’s “Dot for Dot” option is turned off.
• Text editing on the canvas benefits from better formatting behaviors, and lock-button hover states now provide clearer visual feedback.
• A “Table of Contents” link has been included under the Help → User Manual submenu for quicker access to documentation.
• Several security issues affecting DDS, PSD, and PSP format handling were patched promptly after being reported, and some vulnerabilities in binary-package dependencies were fixed as well.

What you can do and how to extend it

• Photo retouching, compositing and image creation are all straightforward with the built-in toolset.
• Full-screen preview mode helps you examine work at any stage without distraction.
• The program is open source, so it’s easy to expand through third-party plugins and extensions. A number of add-ons ship with the installer, and a large, active community contributes many more created and maintained plugins for specialty tasks.

If you want a no-cost, powerful editor that can be adapted to many workflows, this application is a strong choice.