Paint Windows 10 [new] | Install Classic

Here is the story of how you can reclaim the classic Microsoft Paint experience on your Windows 10 machine. The Search for Simplicity

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)

The most official way to ensure the classic application is on your system is through Windows' own settings: Open Settings Windows key + I or search for "Settings" in the Start menu. Navigate to Apps Optional features Add the Feature Add a feature , search for Microsoft Paint , select it, and click

: Once installed, you can find it by searching for "Paint" in the Start menu. Path 2: The Registry "Trick" (For the Bold)

If launching Paint keeps opening the "modern" version instead of the classic one, you can use a registry modification to force the old behavior: Open Registry Editor , and run as administrator. Find the Key : Navigate to:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings Create the Value

: If the "Settings" folder isn't there, right-click "Paint" and create a new Disable the Bootstrap : Inside "Settings," create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value DisableModernPaintBootstrap and set its value to

: Close the editor and restart your PC to see the change take effect. Path 3: The Dedicated Classic Installer

For users who want a version that looks and feels exactly like the Windows 7 era, third-party enthusiasts provide a standalone "Classic Paint" installer: How to Install the Classic MS Paint App in Windows

Bringing the Classics Back: How to Get Classic MS Paint on Windows 10

If you've recently updated Windows 10 and found your familiar, no-frills Paint replaced by the more complex Paint 3D, you aren't alone. While Microsoft has pushed newer creative tools, many of us still crave the lightning-fast, simple interface of the original mspaint.exe.

The good news? The classic version is still very much alive—it’s just tucked away or needs a quick "nudge" to become your default again. Here are the three best ways to get your favorite digital canvas back. 1. The Official Way: Checking "Optional Features"

Before downloading anything, check if Windows simply moved Paint to the "optional" bin. This is the safest and most official method. Open Settings: Start > Settings > Apps Manage Optional Features: Optional features Add Paint: Add a feature

and type "Microsoft Paint." If it appears, select it and click

Once finished, restart your PC. You should find it in your Start menu under Windows Accessories 2. The Power User Fix: The Registry Tweak

Sometimes the classic app is actually still on your drive, but Windows 10 is programmed to "bootstrap" or redirect you to Paint 3D whenever you try to open it. You can stop this behavior with a quick Registry edit: , and hit Enter. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings

(If the "Paint" or "Settings" folders aren't there, right-click the parent folder to create them). Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value DisableModernPaintBootstrap and set the value to Restart your PC.

Classic Paint should now open directly instead of redirecting you. 3. The "Legacy" Installer (Third-Party) install classic paint windows 10

If your system version has completely stripped the original files, you can use a standalone installer. Trusted community sites like have archived the original files from older Windows builds.

Get the "Classic Paint for Windows 10" installer from a reputable archive.

and follow the wizard. It will typically install the app as "Paint Classic" to avoid conflicting with the built-in version. Once installed, right-click a file, select Open with > Choose another app , pick the classic Paint, and check "Always use this app" Why go back?

While Paint 3D offers layers and 3D modeling, classic Paint remains the king of

. It opens instantly, uses negligible system resources, and the selection/cropping tools are still more intuitive for quick screenshots and simple edits.

Are you struggling with a specific Windows 10 build version?

Let me know, and I can help you find the right registry path or installer! How to Install the Classic MS Paint App in Windows

The classic Microsoft Paint (mspaint.exe) is a staple for quick, simple image edits. While Microsoft has updated the application and sometimes hidden it in favor of "Paint 3D," it is still available on Windows 10. Depending on your system's current state, you can restore it using official settings, the Microsoft Store, or manual workarounds. Method 1: Reinstall via Optional Features (Recommended)

If Paint is missing entirely from your Start menu, it may have been uninstalled during a Windows update. You can reinstall it through the official Windows Settings without downloading third-party files. Open Settings (Windows Key + I). Go to Apps > Optional features. Click Add a feature. Type "Paint" into the search bar. Select Microsoft Paint and click Install.

Once finished, search for "Paint" in your Start menu to launch it. Method 2: Use the Microsoft Store

Microsoft now hosts Paint as a standalone app in the Microsoft Store. This is the official and most secure way to ensure you have the latest stable version of the classic ribbon-UI Paint. Open the Microsoft Store from your taskbar or Start menu. Search for "Paint."

Look for the official app published by Microsoft Corporation. Click Install or Get. Method 3: Disable "Modern Paint" (Registry Tweak)

If launching Paint keeps redirecting you to Paint 3D, you can use a registry edit to force Windows to open the classic version. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings.

If the Settings folder doesn't exist, right-click Paint and create a New > Key named "Settings."

Inside "Settings," right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name it DisableModernPaintBootstrap and ensure its value is set to 0. Method 4: Manual "Classic Paint" Installers

For users who want the specific Windows 7-style Paint without any modern modifications, community-provided installers like those from Win7Games or Winaero are popular options. Here is the story of how you can

Tip: If you install a third-party classic version, you may need to disable App execution aliases to prevent conflicts. Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases and toggle off the switches for mspaint.exe. Comparison: Classic Paint vs. Alternatives

If you find the classic version too limited, several lightweight alternatives offer a similar "old-school" feel with more features: Paint.NET Advanced layer support and plugins IrfanView Rapid image viewing and batch resizing Krita Digital painting and sketching jpg or .png?

Installing the classic Microsoft Paint on Windows 10 is widely praised by users who find the newer versions, like Paint 3D or the updated Windows 11-style Paint, too cluttered or slow. While Windows 10 still includes a version of Paint by default, users often seek to "restore" the older Win32 version if an update has modified its behavior, such as changing how the TAB key works or adding unwanted transparency features. User Experience & Reviews

Performance: Reviewers consistently highlight that the classic version launches nearly instantly (under 0.4 seconds) and uses significantly less RAM than modern counterparts.

Simplicity: It is favored for quick, "no-friction" tasks like cropping screenshots, adding basic text, and simple doodles.

Nostalgia & Reliability: Many users have used this specific tool for over 30 years and find new AI-powered features or ribbon changes "disruptive" to their workflow.

Critiques: Some argue that by sticking to the classic version, you miss out on modern essentials like layers, background removal, and dark mode, which are now standard in updated versions. Installation Methods & Reliability

There are several ways to ensure you have the classic experience, ranging from official settings to third-party installers:

Bring Back the Classic: How to Install Classic Paint on Windows 10

Are you tired of the modern, streamlined look of Windows 10's Paint app? Do you yearn for the good old days of Windows 7 and XP, when Paint was a simple, yet powerful tool for basic image editing? Look no further! In this post, we'll show you how to install the classic Paint app on Windows 10.

Why Classic Paint?

The classic Paint app, also known as "mspaint," has been a staple of Windows since version 1.0. Its simplicity and ease of use made it a favorite among users for quick edits and creations. However, with the release of Windows 10, Microsoft replaced the classic Paint app with a modern, Universal Windows Platform (UWP) version.

While the new Paint app is more feature-rich and visually appealing, some users miss the nostalgic feel and straightforward interface of the classic version. If you're one of them, you're in luck!

Method 1: Using the Windows Registry

To install classic Paint on Windows 10, you can use a simple registry tweak. Here's how:

  1. Open the Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the correct key: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\CompatibilityAssistant Persisted and create a new key called Flags.
  3. Create a new DWORD value: Inside the Flags key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called Disable WindowsStoreApp and set it to 1.
  4. Restart your computer: Save your changes and restart your PC.

Method 2: Using PowerShell

Alternatively, you can use PowerShell to install classic Paint on Windows 10:

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator: Right-click on the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
  2. Run the command: Type the following command and press Enter:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | ForEach-Object  $_.InstallDate = $_.InstallDate.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") ; Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object  $_.Name -eq "Microsoft Paint"  | ForEach-Object  $_.Install(); $_.Uninstall()

Download Classic Paint

If the above methods don't work for you, you can download a pre-compiled version of classic Paint from a trusted source, such as GitHub. However, be cautious when downloading software from third-party websites, and make sure to scan the file for viruses.

Tips and Variations

  • If you want to use classic Paint as the default image editor, right-click on an image file, select "Open with," and choose "Choose another app." Then, select classic Paint from the list.
  • To make classic Paint look more modern, you can use the " Windows Classic" theme in Windows 10.

Conclusion

And that's it! You should now have classic Paint up and running on your Windows 10 machine. Whether you're a nostalgic user or simply prefer the simplicity of the classic app, this guide has helped you bring back the classic Paint experience.

Do you have a favorite feature in classic Paint? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Like and Share

If you found this post helpful, don't forget to like and share it with your friends and family who might appreciate a blast from the past.

Stay Tuned

For more Windows 10 tips, tricks, and guides, stay tuned to our blog!

Why Did My Paint Disappear?

First, a quick reality check. If you simply open the Start Menu and type "Paint," the version that opens is usually the new one. Microsoft hasn't completely deleted the old version yet; they have just hidden it in a system folder. However, if a major update (like the 2023 or 2024 updates) removed it entirely, you’ll need to do a manual install.

Here are the three best ways to get it back.

Keeping Classic Paint Alive on Future Updates

Microsoft has warned that Classic Paint is "deprecated" and may be removed in a future feature update (though they have delayed this several times due to public outcry). To ensure you never lose it:

  1. Back up the executable: Copy mspaint.exe from C:\Windows\System32 to a USB drive or cloud storage.
  2. Disable automatic app updates: In the Microsoft Store, go to Settings and turn off "Update apps automatically."
  3. Export the Registry Key: If you plan to reinstall Windows, export HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\mspaint.exe to a .reg file for later import.

Method 2: Install Classic Paint via Windows Optional Features (The Official Way)

Microsoft eventually moved Classic Paint to the "Optional Features" list. This is the safest, most official method to install classic Paint on Windows 10 without downloading third-party files.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings (Press Windows + I).
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. On the left sidebar, click Optional features.
  4. Click the + Add a feature button at the top of the list.
  5. A dialog box will appear. Type "Paint" into the search bar.
  6. Look for an entry that says "Paint" (Not "Paint 3D"). The description should read: "Microsoft Paint for viewing and editing images."
  7. Check the box next to it and click Install.

Windows will now download and install Classic Paint from Microsoft servers. This takes about 30 seconds. Once completed, you will find Paint in the Windows Accessories folder.

Method 3: Download and Install from Microsoft Store

  1. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 10 device.
  2. Search for "Windows 7 Paint" in the search bar.
  3. Select the result and click on the "Install" button.
  4. Wait for the installation to complete.

Verifying the Installation: Once you've completed the installation using one of the methods above, you should be able to find the classic Paint application in your Start menu. If it's not there, you can type "Paint" in the search bar to launch it.

Tips and Variations:

  • If you're using a 64-bit version of Windows 10, you may need to use the 64-bit version of the classic Paint application.
  • Some users have reported issues with the classic Paint app on Windows 10, such as compatibility problems with certain image files. Be sure to test the app thoroughly to ensure it meets your needs.

Conclusion: Installing classic Paint on Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can be completed using one of the methods outlined above. While the modern Paint app is a capable tool, some users may prefer the simplicity and familiarity of the classic version. By following these steps, you can bring back the classic Paint application and enjoy a nostalgic computing experience. Open the Registry Editor : Press the Windows

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor

Warning: Editing the registry can be hazardous, so proceed with caution.

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\CompatibilityAssistant Persisted
  4. Create a new DWORD value (32-bit) named "Disable Windows10 App Compat" and set its value to 1.
  5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Option C — If you prefer the exact classic UI (third-party)

  1. Download a reputable “classic Paint” replacement (e.g., old-timey forks) — ensure source is trusted.
  2. Run installer and follow prompts.
  3. Set as default for .png/.jpg if desired.
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