Microsoft has made the decision to phase out its Paint 3D graphics application, with plans to remove it from the Microsoft Store by November 4, 2024. This announcement marks the end of an era for a program that was introduced as a modern alternative to the classic Paint app back in November 2016, coinciding with the release of Windows 10 Insider Build 14971.
Transitioning to New Tools
As Paint 3D bids farewell, Microsoft encourages users to transition to its other offerings. The company suggests utilizing Paint and Photos for editing and viewing 2D images, while the 3D Viewer remains available for those who wish to explore 3D content. Microsoft clarified, “Paint 3D is deprecated and will be removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024. Existing installations will continue to function, but the app will no longer be available for download.”
For users who may wish to reinstall Paint 3D, the option will remain until the removal date. However, once that date arrives, the app will no longer be accessible for download. Notably, while Paint 3D was pre-installed on select Windows 10 devices, it did not carry over as a default application in Windows 11.
The Evolution of Paint
The decision to discontinue Paint 3D aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy of refining its software offerings. Over the past year, the company has introduced several enhancements to the classic Paint application, including:
- A Photoshop-like background removal tool
- Support for layers and image transparency
- An AI-powered image generation feature known as Paint Cocreator
This evolution reflects a shift in user preferences and technological advancements, as Microsoft aims to streamline its suite of creative tools. The announcement regarding Paint 3D follows a similar trajectory observed five years ago when Microsoft initially indicated plans to deprecate the classic Windows Paint application. However, due to a strong public response, the company opted to keep it available through the Microsoft Store.
In addition to Paint 3D, Microsoft has also begun phasing out other applications, such as the basic text editor WordPad and the Cortana voice assistant, which has seen reduced functionality in the latest Windows 11 Canary preview builds released in August 2023.
