Install Classic Paint Windows 10 [patched] -
Whether you choose to install Classic Paint through the official Microsoft Store for a modern version that stays updated, or through Winaero's dedicated installer for the truest classic experience, restoring this iconic program to your Windows 10 machine is a quick and straightforward process. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you'll be cropping, resizing, and creating simple drawings with the familiar Paint interface in no time.
The journey begins with the realization that the familiar, "classic" version of Microsoft Paint (the lightweight tool we’ve used for over 30 years) often feels hidden or replaced by newer versions like Paint 3D or the modern, updated Paint app. For those who prefer the original's no-frills interface, there are several paths to restoration. Path 1: The Standard Reinstall (Optional Features)
If you prefer the exact Windows 7 interface without the "Paint 3D" or "Modern" prompts, you can download a standalone version. Trusted community sites like provide the original packaged as an installer.
Using this method bypasses Windows Update entirely, ensuring your interface will never change or update automatically. install classic paint windows 10
Copy and paste the following command exactly:
Search for "Paint Classic" in your Start Menu to differentiate it from the modern app. Summary of Key Features of Classic Paint
Right-click the mspaint.exe file, select Send to, and click Desktop (create shortcut) for easy access. Whether you choose to install Classic Paint through
If the Optional Features menu is crashing or unavailable, you can use PowerShell to force the installation. This is a surefire way to install classic Paint on Windows 10 even on Enterprise or Education editions.
The Microsoft Store version provides the same classic Paint experience, ensuring compatibility and automatic updates.
Before diving into the step-by-step instructions, it helps to understand why the classic Paint app is no longer front and center. In July 2017, Microsoft announced that Paint was being deprecated and would be replaced by Paint 3D, a new app focused on creating three-dimensional drawings. However, due to overwhelming user demand, Microsoft reversed that decision. Paint continued to be included in all versions of Windows 10, but in some builds it became hidden or only available as an optional component. Microsoft also made the classic Paint app available for download and installation via the Microsoft Store, ensuring that users who preferred the simple, original interface could still access it. Today, while Paint 3D has itself been deprecated, the classic Paint app remains available and has even received new features, including AI-powered tools in newer versions of Windows 11. For those who prefer the original's no-frills interface,
Microsoft has played hide-and-seek with Classic Paint. In many versions of Windows 10 (specifically versions 1803 through 1903), the app is still installed but hidden.
Sometimes, the Windows image is damaged. Run an SFC scan:
Microsoft left the old executable ( mspaint.exe ) inside the System32 folder for years. It might still be there.