Report: Windows Is Finally Killing MS Paint

It’s no secret Windows has been trying to murder our beloved long-time friend Microsoft Paint for some time. A recent OS update shows it may have finally committed to driving a stake into its cold, digital heart. Here’s what’s changing.

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/07/rip-microsoft-paint/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/flqotftydlauvqosw8zt.jpg” title=”RIP, Microsoft Paint” excerpt=”MS Paint, the first app you used for editing images, will probably be killed off in future updates of Windows 10, replaced by the new app Paint 3D. Microsoft lists the 32-year-old app under “deprecated features” in Windows 10’s next update, a little X marking the end of an era.”]

The update, Build 18956 (AKA 20H1), available to the Windows Insider Program, allegedly makes Microsoft Paint an “optional app” meaning you could uninstall it from your PC. The change was noted by Windows Area.de, though there’s no mention we could find in the Insider Programs blog.

The program, which was first created in 1985, has come pre-installed on all Windows computers for decades and users were unable to uninstall (though, honestly, why would you?).

A few years back, Windows 10 revealed it was introducing Paint 3D in an attempt to kill off MS Paint. After backlash from the community, Microsoft decided to roll back that decision.

Microsoft Paint: Here to stayhttps://t.co/yiJvvYh7GT pic.twitter.com/EXRqIyVLGm

— Microsoft (@Microsoft) July 25, 2017

In April 2019, Microsoft senior program manager Brandon LeBlanc ominously said Paint would stick around “for now.”

It remains to be seen whether this method comes into fruition for regular users will be enough to see us finally part with the beloved software.

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/07/you-can-still-install-ms-paint-after-microsofts-new-update/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/gsgvknauzzwwplsr3a9t.jpg” title=”Reminder: You Can Still Install MS Paint After Microsoft’s New Update” excerpt=”Image via Joel Lueders On Monday, we learned that Microsoft was killing off the iconic Microsoft Paint program after 32 years and replacing it with Paint 3D in its upcoming Windows 10 update. The news was tragic for fans of MS Paint, many of who publicly mourned the loss.”]