Creativity comes in all forms from pictures to words to music. If you are just starting to explore your creative side and want to experiment with a free Windows app, then we have the ones for you. For artists, photographers, music makers, and more, you can let your imagination run wild with these terrific tools.

1. Fresh Paint

For beginners or experienced artists, Fresh Paint from Microsoft is an excellent tool for sketching, drawing, and painting. You start by choosing to sketch with pencil, draw with a pen, or paint with oil. Then, import an image, snap one with your device camera, use one of the built-in images.

fresh paint windows app

Pick a canvas or paper, give it a color if you like, and then pop open the tools to create your masterpiece. Select a pencil, pen, or brush from several options and apply your color. You can also use a blending tool or eraser. The app has a color chooser that you simply move to the spot on the canvas to capture the perfect shade or tone for your pencil, pen, or brush.

Save your creation in JPG or PNG format or share it with others directly from the app. Fresh Paint is easy to use, making it a wonderful app for artists of all ages.

2. Pencil Sketch Master

If you prefer to create something more casual and simple, check out Pencil Sketch Master. You can pick from several canvases that are realistically textured. Although, you can change the canvas color to remove the pattern if you would rather.

pencil sketch master windows app

Then, get right to work bringing out that creative side by choosing a pen or highlighter and its size and color. You can type in text and include its size and color as well as add stickers for a little pizazz. You can also apply a shadow and adjust the contrast, brightness, and highlights.

You can save your creations when you finish, which are in bitmap format. For a fun, free, easy sketching app, Pencil Sketch Master is a good option.

3. Gravit Designer

To explore the graphic designer in you, Gravit Designer is a full-featured vector design app. You can create everything from business cards to blog covers to items sized for mobile devices. You can also create an image specifically for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social networks. And of course, you can customize your own canvas size.

gravit designer windows app

Gravit Designer has an array of tools including symbols, a knife, grids, anchors, text options, and web fonts. In addition, you can use layers, path graphs, multiple fills and borders, and various effects and blending modes.

The app has a simple and intuitive interface and allows you to save your images in the format of your choice such as SVG, JPEG, PNG, or PDF. If vector design is what you love, then Gravit Designer is a great, free Windows app.

4. Phototastic Collage

Maybe your creativity comes out in a unique way. You might be the go-to person for your family or friends when it is time to relive special moments through photos. If this sounds like you, then let your creativity flow with the Phototastic Collage app. You begin simply by choosing your collage design. Then, add photos from your library or snap a few with your device camera.

Once you pick your photos, the real fun starts. You can add a colored background, frame, or shadow effect as well as adjust the photo spacing and collage margin. Choose from a variety of aspect options from portrait or landscape to Instagram or Twitter sizes. You can even add text or a sticker, each with many options.

phototastic collage windows app

You can create collages with up to four photos for free. However, if you enjoy the app and would like larger collages of five or more photos, you can purchase a premium pack for $4.99. This pack will also give you more stickers, unique backgrounds, additional designs, and the ability to save in HD -- all without ads.

5. Polarr Photo Editor

Maybe photography is more up your creative alley. If so, then Polarr Photo Editor is a super app. Open a photo from your device or start with a sample to get used to the tool. You will find a ton of useful features for adjustments, cropping, history management, and much more.

polarr photo editor windows app

The app includes support for mouse, keyboard, and touch and provides an interactive guide for assistance while you work. Adjust the color, light, detail, vignette, lens, effect, curves, and toning. Crop, tilt, zoom, blur, and feather. Once you give the Photo Editor from Polarr a try for free, you can upgrade for additional features if you like.

The paid version includes radial and gradient adjustments, masking tools, custom filters, and filter packs. But with the number of features offered in the free version, you will be editing like a pro in no time.

6. Simply.Write

Simply.Write is an easy-to-use, distraction-free writing app for those who express their creativity with words. Capture your thoughts, write an article, or pen that next chapter of your story. You can open a current text file to pick up where you left off or begin a new one. The app has a clean white background with black font.

simply write windows app

You can adjust the settings for the font size and the width of the text area. As you would hope, the menu options are hidden while you write, but you can just click to unhide them. This will also display the character and word counts for you. When you finish, you can save what you have written as a text file.

Simply.Write is a nice, plain text tool for the writer in you.

7. Soundtrap

Maybe music is your creative outlet. If so, Soundtrap is a fun and full-featured app for making music. You can start with a built-in demo or from scratch with a blank slate. Browse loops, import a file, or select an instrument to play.

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You can adjust each instrument and sound separately for the track with options for recording, mute, solo, and volume. Change the tempo, key, and turn the metronome on or off easily with the bottom menu. You can download your mix as an MP3 or get help from friends with the collaboration feature.

Soundtrap offers tutorials and is accessible online as well as on your desktop or mobile device. To get started, just create a free account and you are on your way to making music history. The app also offers paid plans with additional features.

How Do You Express Yourself With Windows Apps?

These seven apps cover a variety of creative styles, but there are much more on the Windows App Store. No matter what your talent -- drawing, graphic design, or writing -- you may already use an app you love.

Share your recommendations with us in the comments below!