Key Points
- Restore classic MS Paint in Windows 10 or Windows 11 by reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store, the official and supported method for downloading or reinstalling the Paint app.
- You can manually reinstall the classic MS Paint using a trusted .exe installer, disable app execution aliases (mspaint.exe and pbrush.exe), and set it as the default image editor.
- If Microsoft Paint is missing, verify installation via Start Menu search or Settings > System > Optional Features, and reinstall using Microsoft’s official installer on newer Windows 11 builds.
- If restoring MS Paint doesn’t work, use alternatives like Paint.NET, GIMP, IrfanView, or Krita, and always download installation files from safe, reputable sources to avoid security risks.
The classic MS Paint app is a user-friendly raster graphics-editing program (meaning it works with pixel-based images rather than vector graphics) that was introduced in 1985. It’s a lightweight app with simple drawing, cropping, and editing tools.
However, with the introduction of Windows 11, MS Paint was given an updated user interface, as well as new features, including AI-powered tools like Image Creator and Generative Erase.
However, for users who prefer the simpler UI of the original MS Paint, there are a few ways to restore the older version of the application in Windows 11. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to restore the classic MS Paint app in Windows 11.
(Read on to learn how, or skip to the “How to check if MS Paint is installed” section if you need that first.)
How to restore the classic MS Paint in Windows 11
This quick video shows how to restore the classic Paint app: ‘How to Restore the Classic Paint App in Windows 10’.
Method 1: Download MS Paint via the Microsoft Store
The official and supported way to restore MS Paint would be to download it from the Microsoft Store.
- Go to the Microsoft Store via the Start Menu.
- Type “Paint” in the search bar.
- Click on Paint in the search results, and select “Install” or “Reinstall”
- Once installation is complete, launch Paint.
Method 2: Download .exe file and reinstall MS Paint
Another solution to restore the classic version of MS Paint would be to download an .exe file online and run an installer.
⚠️Note: With multiple third-party sites offering MS Paint files available online, users should practice caution and download from safe and reputable sources. For this method, we included a link to the file for the Paint app from Windows 10 Build 14393.
- Download the file from this website.
- Go to the Downloads folder and double-click on the downloaded ClassicPaint.zip file.
- In the zip file, double-click on mspaint.exe and follow the prompts, as instructed.
- When you reach the screen that says you have to disable app aliases for the built-in Paint app, click on Open Settings.
- In Settings, navigate to Apps > Advanced App Settings > App execution aliases.
- Look for the two Paint options labeled mspaint.exe and pbrush.exe, and toggle their switches to Off. This will make the classic Paint the default application over the built-in one.
How to check if MS Paint is installed
Method 1: Search for MS Paint in the Start Menu
- Click the Start menu and type “paint”.
- If MS Paint appears, it is already installed.
- If only Paint 3D appears, the classic MS Paint may need to be restored.
Method 2: Verify MS Paint in Windows Features
- Open Settings > System > Optional Features.
- Look for Microsoft Paint in the installed list.
- If it’s missing, proceed with the methods above to restore it.
Keep in mind that on some Windows 11 builds, MS Paint doesn’t appear in Optional Features, and users instead use the installer that Microsoft now provides.
If you don’t see Paint under Optional Features, you may be on a newer Windows 11 build that manages MS Paint as a standalone app. In that case, reinstall Paint using Microsoft’s official installer instead.
Why was MS Paint replaced?
MS Paint wasn’t fully replaced; Microsoft deprecated it to focus on a newer related app called Paint 3D. Paint 3D was introduced in Windows 10 (version 1709) as an enhanced alternative. However, as mentioned earlier, Microsoft restored MS Paint in newer builds of Windows 10, while Paint 3D was removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024.
Can you still use the classic MS Paint?
Yes. MS Paint is still available for Windows 10 users. However, it may be disabled or missing from the system.
Alternatives to the classic MS Paint
While the classic MS Paint is a go-to graphics-editing app for many, some alternatives exist.
- Use the latest Microsoft Store version of MS Paint (if available).
- Install third-party alternatives like Paint.NET, IrfanView, GIMP, or Krita.
Troubleshooting common issues
Issue: I can’t find MS Paint on my PC
Windows update may have removed the classic MS Paint app from your PC. To reinstall it, check Optional Features. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I. Then go to System > Optional Features. From there, you can search for Microsoft Paint and install it if it is available.
Issue: I want to set MS Paint as the default image editor
You can set MS Paint as your default image editor through the following steps.
If you see an image file, right-click on it. From the context menu, select Open with > Choose another app. Select Paint from the list. Check the box that says Always use this app to open .[image file type] files and click Ok.
Restoring the classic MS Paint app
The classic Microsoft Paint app is a remarkable graphics-editing program many Windows users enjoy, and it’s known for its simplicity, user-friendliness, and ease of use.
While the classic MS Paint may be hidden in Windows 10, there are ways to restore it. This step-by-step guide should help you restore the program so you can continue using this classic graphics-editing program.
