Microsoft will axe the Paint 3D app soon — will be removed from the Microsoft Store in November, cementing classic Windows Paint's revival
Paint 3D, 2017 - 2024.
![screenshot of Paint 3D](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4hqRKJJbYvn3F8Aj3KoJaS-320-80.jpg)
Paint 3D, which was once billed as the modernized replacement of the classic Microsoft Paint app, is ironically getting the axe just seven years after its launch. Some users who open the app have found a banner under the toolbar saying, "Paint 3D won't be available in the Microsoft Store or receive future updates starting on November 4, 2024."
Microsoft built the Paint 3D app with a focus on 3D modeling. But aside from that, it also introduced layers, transparency effects, background removal, PNG support, and more. However, Windows Central reports that users were up in arms when the company attempted to replace the classic Microsoft Paint app with the new 3D-focused version; this forced Microsoft to allow both versions to become available on Windows 10 and 11.
Although Paint 3D has more features than classic Paint, many users still prefer the latter for its simplicity, ease of use, and launch speed. In 2023, Microsoft gave the classic Paint app some major upgrades. These included layers, transparency, and auto background removal — features that used to be exclusive to Paint 3D.
Aside from this massive update, Microsoft Paint also received an AI superpower with the Cocreator feature, available only to Microsoft Copilot users. With the classic Paint app getting all these upgrades, it seems Paint 3D wasn't getting any love from its developers. Furthermore, the 3D features available to the newer app didn't really become a mainstream hit.
Due to these reasons, it has probably made sense for Microsoft to just combine the most in-demand features of Paint 3D with Microsoft Paint and simply discontinue the former. After all, it only launched in 2017, whereas the original Microsoft Paint launched in 1985 — nearly forty years ago. Microsoft Paint itself was a licensed version of PC Paintbrush created by ZSoft Corporation, which Microsoft bundled with Windows 1.0.
Because of its age, simplicity, ease of use, and nostalgia, many users are still in love with Microsoft Paint. The company has continuously been updating and adding more features to this simple raster graphics editor. While it cannot compete with the power and feature set of advanced apps like GIMP and Adobe Photoshop, the fact that it comes free with Windows and does the job for most users make it a crucial app within the Microsoft ecosystem. Windows wouldn't be Windows without Microsoft Paint.
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Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.
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ezst036 This is not a bad decision. Supporting two applications of generally the same type was a bad choice. Since Paint has inherited many of the new features, Paint 3d had no reason to exist. Has no reason to exist.Reply
Any remaining features from Paint 3d can be assumed by Paint. Easy peasy. -
MacZ24 Moats are great for investors, as they defend the value of the company. But it removes a very important market signal for said company.Reply
Now Microsoft doesn't seem to understand what is an operating system anymore because it has so many clients and so many use cases, and the people using Windows can't jump overboard easily. Thet have no clue if what they are doing is right or wrong, useful or useless.
They just add stuff, especially of the latest trend/fad (be it tiles, 3d or lately AI) and copy whatever they think will sell (mobile phones, Apple...). Or course, since a large part of its users are not very bright and can't be trusted, all this software is half assed and become rapidly useless (because those who really need it will invest in non-half assed, pro or semi-pro versions).
So I expect the slow degradation of Windows to continue unabatted.
Paint 3D is just another mark on the way to complete crappitude. -
Rabohinf
Introducing 3D, rather than upgrading and updating Paint, was the bad decision I referred to. Bad decisions at Microsoft did not begin or end there.ezst036 said:This is not a bad decision. Supporting two applications of generally the same type was a bad choice. Since Paint has inherited many of the new features, Paint 3d had no reason to exist. Has no reason to exist.
Any remaining features from Paint 3d can be assumed by Paint. Easy peasy. -
JRStern 3D has always had a truly poor interface, IMHO and very skimpy on features.Reply
So hey, just as soon as I can manage Windows 11, what a treat the new Paint should be. -
ThomasKinsley I tried to like it when it first came out. The controls were clunky and movement imprecise. Glad to see Microsoft deprecate the right Paint this time.Reply -
NinoPino
Nice software but ugly name.TheOtherOne said:Has no one heard of PaintDotNet? 🤔
https://www.getpaint.net -
USAFRet
It is my second most used graphics application, after Paintshop Pro.TheOtherOne said:Has no one heard of PaintDotNet? 🤔
https://www.getpaint.net -
Rabohinf
Been a user since 2006.TheOtherOne said:Has no one heard of PaintDotNet? 🤔
https://www.getpaint.net