Microsoft clear up confusion – MS Paint not quite “dead” yet

Initial reports that claimed Microsoft Paint was to be deleted has sparked confusion, and Microsoft has since stepped in to confirm Paint isn’t going anywhere (well, not really.)

Microsoft Paint has been an obligatory part of every Microsoft operating system since the very beginning. And over the years the basic graphics program has built up quite the fan base. Despite now being somewhat out-dated, Microsoft has always been keen to keep (and provide minor updates) to the small software program.

Until now, it would seem.

As reports that Microsoft were about to kill off MS Paint for good began to leak onto the Internet, a sudden outpouring – probably mostly fueled by nostalgia – flooded the Internet as thousands of users urged Microsoft to change their mind as they shared their fondest memories of Paint, as well as their best Paint creations.

MS Paint has been a favourite ever since Windows 1.0 was released decades ago.

Such was the outpouring of support, Microsoft has since stepped in to clarify that despite many media reports, Paint is not being killed off completely.

Basically, Microsoft has announced that Paint is no longer supported. But no longer supported doesn’t mean deleted, removed or killed off, which many had assumed it did.

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‘No longer supported’ means that future updates of Windows will no longer do anything with MS Paint. It will not be modified, updated or enhanced. Given that Microsoft has recently released Paint 3D – Paint’s more contemporary successor – this isn’t really a surprise.

It also doesn’t mean that Paint will no longer be included in future updates of Windows. Microsoft hasn’t said anything definitively on how long Paint will be automatically included with future editions of Windows – but even if it does disappear by default, Microsoft has already confirmed in a blog post that Paint will be available for FREE via the Windows Store for the foreseeable future.

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

So if you’re a fan of the 32 year old software application, fear not and don’t trust many of those news reports suggesting it will imminently disappear. Paint will be available to all for a long while yet. You may just have to pop over to the Windows Store to get it.