Microsoft is officially shutting down Paint 3D, the 3D modeling tool introduced with Windows 10. The company has announced that the app will be discontinued and removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024. This means that after this date, Paint 3D will no longer be available for download or updates.

What this means for users

If you’re currently using Paint 3D, it’s important to know that although the app won’t be available for new downloads, existing installations will continue to work. However, Microsoft is encouraging users to begin transitioning to alternative apps for their 2D and 3D editing needs.

For basic 2D image editing, Microsoft recommends using the classic Paint app or the Photos app, both of which will continue to be supported on Windows. Paint has been a Windows staple for decades, and its simplicity makes it a great choice for quick edits. Photos, on the other hand, offers more advanced tools for editing and organizing your pictures.

For those who work with 3D content, Microsoft suggests switching to the 3D Viewer, a more advanced tool that will remain available. The 3D Viewer allows users to view and interact with 3D models, providing a strong alternative for those who relied on the features of Paint 3D.

Why is Microsoft doing this?

The decision to remove Paint 3D is part of a broader effort by Microsoft to streamline its software offerings. The app never gained widespread popularity, and it seems Microsoft is focusing on more widely used and appreciated tools. By removing a lesser-used app like Paint 3D, Microsoft can allocate more resources to developing and improving its core applications.

If you rely on Paint 3D for your creative projects, it’s time to start exploring other options. Microsoft’s recommendations – Paint, Photos, and 3D Viewer – are solid choices that can meet the needs of most users. Additionally, there are many third-party applications available that offer even more advanced features for both 2D and 3D editing.

Starting November 4, 2024, Paint 3D will officially be a thing of the past, marking the end of its brief run as a creative tool in the Windows ecosystem. For more information on this and other obsolete features, you can visit Microsoft’s support page.