Microsoft should've integrated Paint 3D to Paint instead of deprecating it

Remember when Microsoft first launched Paint 3D for Windows 10 back in 2017? The premise of a “3D refresh” of Paint seemed promising at times, so much so that Microsoft said at the time that it was replacing Classic Paint with it.

Fast forward to 2024, Microsoft now says that it’s killing Paint 3D, an app that’s supposed to be the replacement for classic Paint, while the latter is still standing strong and even getting Copilot AI features. A spot by @phantomofearth on X reveals that, once you open Paint 3D, you’ll be greeted with a goodbye message.

“Paint 3D won’t be available in the Microsoft Store or receive future updates starting on November 4, 2024,” the warning reads, coupled with a link to Microsoft’s resource site for deprecated features.

But, why? That’s the million-dollar question. Whatever you feel about Paint 3D, it would be a waste if Microsoft killed the app completely instead of integrating it into the now-AI-powered Paint after a seven-year run. For now, you can still download Paint 3D from Microsoft Store.

With the recent upgrades to the classic Paint app, including features like layers and AI tools, Microsoft has decided to discontinue Paint 3D and consolidate its features into the more beloved classic Paint, which continues to be a staple for Windows users.

It’s not the only feature from Windows 10 days that has been recently removed. The Cortana app, the assistant, is also getting axed among others.