Microsoft Promises Not To Kill Off Paint In Windows 10

Microsoft has clarified that it won’t kill off the much loved ‘Paint’ application and that Windows 10 users will still be able to download it from the Windows Store.

Microsoft Paint is a simple computer graphics app that has been included with all versions of Microsoft Windows. The first version of Paint was introduced with the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, in November 1985.

Yesterday, Microsoft confirmed the software would not be updated in upcoming Windows 10 iterations in a  list of features, which it says will be “deprecated” or removed completely in the next Windows 10 Creators update expected in autumn 2017.

Inactive

A statement from Microsoft explained that these “features and functionalities in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update are either removed from the product in the current release or are not in active development and might be removed in future releases.”

It added: “This list is intended to help customers consider these removals and deprecations for their own planning. The list is subject to change and may not include every deprecated feature or functionality.”

However today it has acknowledged the strength of the support for the program, which has been a desktop timewaster for many decades.

“Today, we’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support and nostalgia around MS Paint,” said Microsoft’s Megan Saunders. “If there’s anything we learned, it’s that after 32 years, MS Paint has a lot of fans. It’s been amazing to see so much love for our trusty old app. Amidst today’s commentary around MS Paint we wanted to take this opportunity to set the record straight, clear up some confusion and share some good news.”

“Paint is here to stay, it will just have a new home soon, in the Windows Store where it will be available for free.”

However development of the software has ceased and some users may be disgruntled if their admin doesn’t let them access the Windows Store.

An updated version of Paint, called ‘3D Paint’ will be included in the Creators Update however, including many of the features in the original software along with more advanced features like 3D modelling.

Other features being dropped by Microsoft include Outlook Express, which Microsoft describes as non-functioning legacy code; the Reader app, which has been integrated into the Edge web browser; and screensaver functionality has been removed from Themes.

The full list can be found here.

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