Microsoft is making significant changes to its suite of legacy applications, signaling a shift in focus away from some of its long-standing software. Following the recent announcement regarding the deprecation of WordPad, another beloved application, Paint 3D, is set to be retired by the end of this year, with support and updates ceasing after November 4, 2024.
Paint 3D, an updated iteration of the classic Microsoft Paint, has been a part of the Windows ecosystem since 2016. Initially met with enthusiasm, it offered users a playful platform for creativity. A recent discovery by X/Twitter user @phantomofearth revealed a notification within the app, confirming its impending removal from the Microsoft Store.
Why is Paint 3D being deprecated?
While Microsoft has yet to provide a detailed explanation for this decision, insights from a Microsoft vendor suggest that Paint 3D struggled to capture user interest. Many users reportedly preferred the straightforward functionality of the original Paint application.
This pivot makes strategic sense for Microsoft, as it aims to streamline its offerings in line with user preferences. The original Paint is currently receiving updates, including new size controls for pens and brushes, aimed at enhancing the user experience. However, it remains a two-dimensional tool, lacking the expansive capabilities that Paint 3D provided. The discontinuation of Paint 3D may leave users seeking more complex alternatives, such as Blender, to fulfill their creative needs.
Why Paint 3D was so great
Paint 3D was more than just an upgrade; it was a creative playground that allowed users to venture beyond traditional 2D graphics. The application enabled users to create, rotate, and manipulate objects in three dimensions, adding effects and backgrounds that brought their creations to life.
Initially intended to replace the classic Paint, Paint 3D coexisted with its predecessor for several years. However, in 2021, it was no longer installed by default, requiring users to download it from the Microsoft Store manually—a clear indication of its diminishing status. The announcement of its retirement, with only three months until the final cutoff, has caught many by surprise, especially given the lack of prior warning from Microsoft.
As the tech giant continues to refine its software offerings, the loss of Paint 3D marks the end of an era for users who appreciated its unique features and user-friendly interface.
