Microsoft will stop distributing its Paint 3D application starting on November 4. The app, which came out in October 2016, aimed to bring 3D creation tools to a broader audience as part of the broader push that included HoloLens. Intended as a successor to the traditional Paint program, Paint 3D enabled users to craft three-dimensional models and artworks.
Reception and Coexistence
Despite its new features, Paint 3D struggled to gain widespread user adoption. As a result, Microsoft kept the original Paint app available. In an early sign of Paint 3D's decline, Microsoft began excluding it from new Windows 10 installations with build 21332 released in 2021.
Paint 3D will be removed from the Microsoft Store and will no longer receive updates after November 4. This information has been shared with users through an in-app banner. The message outlines that as of that date, updates and availability of Paint 3D will cease. Microsoft's decision was initially spotted by PhantonofEarth on X.
Paint 3D now has a banner stating that it will no longer receive updates or be available in the Microsoft Store starting on November 4th. pic.twitter.com/ksPg1Irdjo
— phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) August 10, 2024
Ongoing Development of Classic Paint
On the other hand, the original Paint application continues to receive improvements. Windows Insider Program participants have recently seen new features such as a size slider for drawing tools and enhanced pen and eraser options. These updates signal Microsoft's intention to bolster the longstanding Paint program.
The discontinuation of Paint 3D indicates a strategic pivot for Microsoft, moving resources toward advancing the traditional Paint software. Users dependent on Paint 3D for their creative tasks will need to seek alternatives or revert to the classic Paint tool. This change highlights Microsoft's willingness to adapt based on user preferences and feedback.
