Sometimes, the old ways just have a charm that newfangled tools can’t quite capture. In a quiet update, Microsoft announced the impending demise of Paint 3D, the software that was once poised to replace its ancient predecessor, Paint. Starting November 4, 2024, Paint 3D will no longer be available in the Microsoft Store, nor will it receive any further updates. Although users may still be able to access it, the app’s development has effectively been put to rest.
Paint 3D: A Bold Yet Flawed Successor
When Paint 3D was unveiled in 2016, it was hailed as the future of digital art on Windows, especially in an era where 3D modeling and augmented reality seemed like the next big thing. Microsoft envisioned a shift toward the innovative, with Paint 3D leading the charge and the original Paint, which hadn’t seen a major update in over a decade, left to fade away.
Yet, despite the fanfare, Paint 3D never quite caught on. Its complexity alienated users who simply wanted a straightforward tool, and it lacked the intuitive simplicity that had endeared Paint to generations of Windows users. The public’s love for the classic Paint was so strong that Microsoft decided to let the two programs coexist on Windows 10 and 11. In an ironic twist, it is now Paint 3D that finds itself on the chopping block, while the venerable Paint continues to thrive.
The Renaissance of a Classic
With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft gave Paint a fresh new look, updating its user interface and, in late 2023, adding long-awaited features like layer support and AI integration. These enhancements further solidified Paint’s position as a go-to tool for basic image creation and editing. Paint 3D, on the other hand, had little to offer that could justify its continued existence alongside its rejuvenated predecessor.
A Legacy That Endures
Paint’s resilience in the ever-changing landscape of software is nothing short of remarkable. Originally launched in 1985 as a licensed clone of ZSoft Corporation’s Paintbrush, Paint has been a staple of the Windows experience for nearly four decades. It has served as an entry point for countless users taking their first steps into digital art, offering a simple yet effective platform for creativity.
As Paint 3D prepares to join the ranks of retired Microsoft apps like Cortana and the old Mail and Calendar apps, it’s clear that sometimes, the classics really do stand the test of time. Paint may not be the most sophisticated tool out there, but it has outlasted its flashier, more complex successor—and in doing so, it has earned its place as a beloved part of Windows history.
