One Cool Tip Newsletter

November 12, 2025

Your daily dose of tech-savvy brilliance!

😀Greetings!, Happy Windows Wednesday, Cool Tipper!

Get ready to streamline your digital life with simple, actionable tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Today's Cool Tip Theme: Paint's 'Save as Project' Feature

IN THIS ISSUE

• 🚨 Google Scam Advisory.
• 🏨 Hotel Phishing Scams.
• 🚀 Windows 11 Productivity Tip.
• 🖼️ AI Gift Prompt.
• 💾 "Save as Project' in Paint
• 👀 Paint's Dark Mode.
• 🤔 Layers in Paint.
• 🙋‍♂️ Paint's Remove Background.

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• 😂 Laugh with Us! Enjoy our Tech Joke of the Day, Haiku and Cool Tip Comics.



• 🌐 Stay Informed! Check out ICYMI, and our One Cool Tip Video.

Today's Tech Trivia

Answer at the end of this newsletter.

3️⃣

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🚨Google’s November 2025 Scam Advisory🚨

Google’s Trust & Safety team has issued a fresh warning about six rising scam trends, from fake job offers to malicious VPNs, designed to exploit users during the holiday season and beyond.

Top Scam Trends to Watch

• Online Job Scams: Fraudsters impersonate career sites and recruiters, demanding upfront fees and harvesting sensitive data. Never pay to apply for a job or download “interview software” from unofficial sources.

• Negative Review Extortion: Businesses are being “review-bombed” with fake 1-star ratings, then extorted via messaging apps. Don’t pay; report extortion attempts directly to Google and preserve evidence.

• AI Product Impersonation: Scammers mimic popular AI tools with fake apps, fleeceware, and phishing sites. Only download from official app stores and verify URLs carefully.

• Malicious VPN Apps: Fake VPNs lure users with free offers or provocative ads, then steal data. Avoid sideloading and check app permissions; VPNs shouldn’t need access to your contacts or messages.

• Fraud Recovery Scams: Victims of previous scams are targeted again by fake “recovery agents” demanding upfront fees. Legitimate entities never guarantee recovery or charge upfront; verify independently.

• Seasonal Holiday Scams: Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring fake storefronts, phishing texts, and “too good to be true” deals. Use secure payment methods and beware of urgent delivery scams.

And in Other News...

• Hotel Phishing Scams

Travelers beware: scammers are impersonating hotels to steal payments. Victims receive fake messages with real booking details, then get tricked into paying on counterfeit sites.

Stay safe:

• Don’t click payment links from emails or WhatsApp.
• Contact your hotel directly.
• Verify URLs before entering payment info.

If it feels off, it probably is. Share this tip with fellow travelers!

🖼️ Cool ChatGPT AI Prompt of the Day

“Create a personalized gift list based on this information:

• Relationship: [friend / spouse / child / coworker / parent]
• Age: [number or range]
• Interests: [e.g., travel, cooking, tech gadgets, books, gaming]
• Budget: [e.g., under $25 / under $50 / under $100]
• Occasion: [birthday, holiday, graduation, anniversary]

Include 5 creative, thoughtful gift ideas with a short reason why each fits. Add at least one practical item and one fun or sentimental option.”

New “Save as Project” in Windows 11 Paint

Microsoft Paint just got a big upgrade. You can now save your artwork as editable project files, not just flat images. This means you can reopen and tweak your creations later, just like you would in Photoshop.

Have you ever closed Paint and realized you forgot to fix a line or change a color? 

Until now, you were out of luck. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New 'Save as Project' feature.

The new Save as Project feature lets you preserve layers and edits for later.

Windows 11 users can now treat Paint like a true image editor, not just a pixel sketchpad.

Feature Explanation

The new “Save as Project” option turns Paint into a non-destructive editor. 

Instead of flattening everything into a .PNG or .JPEG, you can save your file in a new .paint (Microsoft Paint Project) format. 

When you reopen the file, every layer and adjustment remains intact, ready for more editing.

This brings Paint closer to Photoshop or GIMP in workflow but keeps its clean, simple interface. 

You can now start a project one day, save your progress, and come back to refine it later without losing any layers, selections, or effects.

Here’s what’s new:

• New File Type: .paint (Paint Project).
• Layer Preservation: Keeps text, shapes, and images separate.
• Quick Reopen: Resume editing exactly where you left off.
• Seamless Export: Convert to .PNG, .JPEG, or .BMP anytime.

What You’ll Gain

• Save and return to your artwork later.
• Keep your edits and layers intact.
• Work more efficiently across sessions.
• Enjoy Paint’s simplicity with pro-style control.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Windows 11 Desktop (Paint v11.2509 or later)



1. Open Paint. Launch from the Start menu or search bar.
2. Create or edit your image. Add text, shapes, or layers as usual.
3. Go to File menu, then Save As Project.
4. Choose “Paint Project (*.paint)” from the format dropdown.
5. Name your file and choose a save location.
6. To continue editing later, open the .paint file instead of a .png.
7. When finished, export your project to a standard image format.

fig. 1 - “Save As” dialog showing the Paint Project (.paint) format

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Enables non-destructive editing for the first time.
• Perfect for creative users and educators.
• Integrates with Windows 11’s modern save dialog.

Cons

• Files can be larger than PNGs.
• Not compatible with older Paint versions.
• Limited layer effects compared to pro tools.

Real-World Examples

• Business users: Save branded image templates or diagrams as editable projects for future updates.
• Educators: Create visual lesson materials and revise them semester to semester.
• Home users: Perfect for personal art projects or meme creation without starting from scratch each time.

Configuration Guide

• Enablement: No manual toggle required; available by default after the latest Windows 11 Paint update (v11.2509+).
• File Association: Windows automatically recognizes .paint files and opens them in Paint.
• Optional Settings: None; save, reopen, and export work seamlessly.

Feature Access

• Platform: Windows 11 only.
• Availability: Rolling out via Microsoft Store Paint app update (version 11.2509 or later).
• Subscription: Free for all Windows 11 users.

Score

Criterion | Score (0–10) | Justification

Value 9

Adds a professional-grade workflow to a free app.

Usability 8

Intuitive and automatic; fits existing habits.

Wow Factor 7

Layers in Paint surprise long-time Windows users.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

Paint’s new project files transform it from a throwaway doodle tool into a legitimate creative workspace, finally worthy of daily use. 

Key Takeaways

Paint’s “Save as Project” mode is a quiet revolution for Windows users. 

You can now work like a pro without paying for Photoshop or risking lost edits. 

It’s simple, fast, and integrated right where you already create.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Save as Project.
• Platform(s): Windows 11.
• Quick Benefit: Save layered Paint files to edit later.
• Access Type: Free update.

Try It Yourself

Update Paint from the Microsoft Store, open a project, and try saving it as .paint. 

Experiment with shapes and text, close it, then reopen.  

Your layers will still be there. 

Share this Cool Tip with a friend who still screenshots everything!

Read the Full Cool Tip

🆒Tell Me More

• .paint files preserve layers, text, and shapes for future editing.

• Export options remain unchanged: you can still save as PNG, JPG, or BMP.

• No third-party compatibility: .paint files only open in Windows Paint.

• Ideal for iterative design: update your graphics without starting over.

• Feature is free: no subscription required.

⏩Quick Tips

• 🖼️ Save your work as a project: Use File > Save as Project to preserve layers.

• 📂 Reopen .paint files anytime: Double-click or open from Paint’s File menu.

• 🧑‍🎨 Use layers for flexibility: Move objects independently without redoing your design.

• 🧭 Check your Paint version: Go to Settings > About to confirm you’re on 11.2508.361.0.

• 🛠️ Update via Microsoft Store: If you don’t see the feature, update Paint manually.

✅ More Must-Read Tech Tips

👀 How Do I Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Paint?

Do you find yourself squinting at your screen at night while using Microsoft Paint? 

The light-colored interface can be harsh on the eyes, especially in low-light conditions.

Set Paint to Dark Mode.

Here's how to do it:

1. Ensure you have the latest version of Paint from the Microsoft App Store.
2. The version that supports dark mode is 11.2304.17.02 or greater. 
3. If you need the newer version, go to the Start Menu, and search for the Microsoft Store App.
4. Open Paint.
5. Click on the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
6. Select App theme.
7. Choose Dark.
8. Select the back arrow to return to the home screen.

Discover more HERE. 

🤔 Have You Ever Wondered How to Use Layers in Microsoft Paint?

Have you ever wished for a simple tool that could help you create complex designs? 

Microsoft introduced a layers feature in its Paint application for Windows 11.

This feature, typically found in more complex software like Photoshop and Gimp, allows users to stack multiple images, text, and graphics on top of each other, which can then be manipulated individually.

Here's how to do it.

1. Open Paint on Windows 11.
2. Click the Layers button in the command bar.
3. Click the Plus (+) button (Ctrl + Shift + N) to create a new layer.
4. Insert an image or create a shape with the tools available in Paint.
5. Drag the layers to change their order and bring a layer forward or backward.
6. Right-click the layer and choose the “Delete layer” option to remove it from the file.
7. Right-click the layer from the right pane and choose the “Duplicate layer” to create another instance of the same element.
8. Right-click the layer and select the “Hide layer” to work on another layer.
9. Right-click the layer and choose the “Merge down” option to combine the layer with the layer immediately below it.
10. Each layer can have its own paint object(s).
11. For example, in this example, each layer has its own object: background, Person and Text.
12. Click the Save button.

Find more HERE. 

🙋‍♂️ Here is How to Use Remove Background in Paint

Have you ever struggled with removing the background from an image, only to end up with jagged edges and unsatisfactory results? 

Microsoft Paint's recent update introduces the Copilot Remove Background feature, promising to make this task a breeze. 

But what exactly does this feature offer, and how can it benefit users?

The Remove Background tool allows users to effortlessly isolate subjects from their backgrounds, making image editing more accessible and efficient.

Here's how to do it.

1. Ensure you have the latest version of Paint installed from the Microsoft Store.
2. Open the image you want to edit.
3. Select the Copilot button on the menu bar.
4. Select "Remove background" from the drop down.
5. Paint removes the background. You can make any necessary adjustments to refine the result.

Microsoft Paint's Copilot Remove Background feature is a game-changer for image editing, offering a user-friendly and efficient solution for isolating subjects from their backgrounds. 

Learn more HERE. 

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😎 Cool Facts

• 1985: The original version of Microsoft Paint was bundled with the very first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, which was released in 1985. Source.

• 24: Windows 1.0, the operating system that introduced Paint, only had 24 original tools. Source.

• 32 Years: The classic Paint application remained largely unchanged in its core functionality, using the same MS Paint 98 codebase, until 2017 when Microsoft began seriously modernizing the app for Windows 10 and 11. Source.

⌨️Today's Cool Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl + S: Save your project.
• Ctrl + Z: Undo last action.
• Ctrl + E: Open Image Properties.
• Ctrl + O: Open a file.
• Ctrl + Shift + S: Save As.

😜 Tech Joke of the Day 😅

What’s a Paint user’s favorite pickup line?

“Can I save you as a project?”

🔎 Do you have a Cool Tip or tech question? Email us at onecooltip.com@gmail.com.

Haiku

Layers now in Paint,

Save your edits, tweak again,

Simple, sleek, and free.

AI Mode in Chrome is Easier to Use on iOS and Android

Copilot on Windows Can Now Export Office Docs

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Learn with NotebookLM: Smarter Study Tools for Students and Professionals

How to Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Paint

Do you find yourself squinting at your screen at night while using Microsoft Paint? 

If so, you're not alone. 

Watch

Proof that even the cat’s creative workflow now supports layers. Productivity meets paw-ductivity!"

Trivia Answer: B) 1985

Paint debuted with Windows 1.0 as a simple bitmap editor called Paintbrush, based on ZSoft’s PC Paintbrush.

It’s been bundled with every version of Windows since then; evolving from a basic drawing tool into today’s surprisingly capable creative app.

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Tomorrow's Cool Tip is waiting to amaze you.

Until then, go forth and conquer the tech world with your newfound knowledge!

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Enjoy!



Rodger

Chief Cool Tipper

onecooltip.com@gmail.com

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