I was shocked when I heard that Microsoft was going to kill one of its Paint apps in Windows 11 (and 10), until I discovered that the application slated for removal was Paint 3D.
In case you didn’t know, there are two Paint apps for Windows 11: Paint, a modernized version of the classic app, and Paint 3D, which launched as a replacement back in 2016. The idea was that it would let you use 3D features in your creations.
Microsoft, however, never managed to fully embrace Paint 3D, and it fell into obscurity. In fact, the software was removed from the list of default apps in Windows 10 in early 2021. While you can still download Paint 3D from the Microsoft Store in Windows 11 (or 10) today, that won’t be the case anytime soon.
As leaker PhantomOfEarth noted on X – along with Windows Latest – A new warning banner has appeared informing Windows 11 users about the upcoming removal of Paint 3D from the store.
The warning reads: “Paint 3D will no longer be available in the Microsoft Store and will no longer receive updates as of November 4, 2024.”
Below is a ‘More information’ link, which leads to a web page in which Microsoft provides more information and confirms the date when Paint 3D will no longer be available on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Paint 3D now has a banner saying it will no longer receive updates and will no longer be available in the Microsoft Store starting November 4th. pic.twitter.com/ksPg1IrdjoAugust 10, 2024
Paint 3D looks pretty poor these days
At this point, there is undoubtedly only a small group of Windows users who are fans of Paint 3D. Although they will undoubtedly be angry at the news of the app’s demise.
That said, Microsoft hasn’t given Paint 3D any attention in a while, judging by some reviews on the Microsoft Store, which complain about the app’s poor maintenance. One common issue with Paint 3D is that the app no longer appears in the drop-down menu when you right-click on an image and go to the “Open with…” option, meaning that opening an image is a much more cumbersome process.
If you’re interested in dipping your toes into 3D imaging and have been considering Paint 3D, you might want to download and install it from the Microsoft Store while you still can. Despite the aforementioned complaints, the app’s overall rating is pretty high. You never know, if Microsoft hears enough of a fuss about killing Paint 3D altogether, it might change its mind – and bring Paint 3D back as an optional app in the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft quickly took things in a different direction with its predecessor, and my personal favorite from my youth, Paint.