Once you have successfully installed classic Paint, you will want to set it as the default image editor. By default, Windows 10 opens .jpg and .png files in "Photos" or "Paint 3D." Here is how to restore the classic "Edit with Paint" context menu.
Steps:
Now, when you right-click any image file, you will see "Edit with Classic Paint."
Before diving into the installation steps, let’s address why you would go through the trouble of installing legacy software.
In newer versions of Windows 10, Microsoft moved the classic Paint executable into an optional system feature. install classic paint windows 10
| Problem | Solution |
|--------|----------|
| “This app can’t run on your PC” | Downloaded wrong architecture (x86 vs x64). Match your Windows 10. |
| Missing .mui file | Classic Paint will still run but might show UI glitches. |
| Antivirus deletes the file | Some older Paint versions trigger false positives. Use portable version instead. |
| Modern Paint keeps opening | Run mspaint from command prompt, not Start menu. Delete modern Paint via Get-AppxPackage *mspaint* | Remove-AppxPackage (admin PowerShell). |
If you’ve recently clicked on the Paint icon in Windows 10 and felt a wave of disorientation, you aren't alone. Microsoft has been quietly updating the classic app, and in some versions of Windows 10 (and Windows 11), the beloved old interface has been replaced or hidden.
The new Paint app isn't bad—it has modern icons and better scaling. But sometimes, you just want the simple, clunky, 1990s-era toolbar that you know by heart. The good news? You can still get the classic Microsoft Paint back on Windows 10.
Here is the step-by-step guide to resurrecting the retro editor. Once you have successfully installed classic Paint, you
Many users prefer the classic version because it launches instantly, uses significantly less RAM than Paint 3D, and offers a pixel-perfect interface without the modern UI clutter or 3D object prompts.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to install the classic Microsoft Paint (from Windows 7/8) on Windows 10 — useful if you dislike Paint 3D or the new modern Paint app.
Introduction: The Nostalgia of Simplicity
For millions of users, Microsoft Paint (often referred to as MS Paint or Classic Paint) is not just software; it is a digital sanctuary. Launched with Windows 1.0 in 1985, this humble raster graphics editor served as the training wheels for a generation of computer users. We used it to crop screenshots, draw crude stick figures, and invert colors for fun. Now, when you right-click any image file, you
When Windows 10 was released, Microsoft introduced a new, modernized version of Paint (sometimes hidden within the "Paint 3D" project). While Paint 3D offers powerful three-dimensional modeling tools, many users found it bloated, confusing, and slow. The beloved Classic Paint was hidden, deprecated, and in some updates, removed entirely.
If you have been searching for how to install classic Paint on Windows 10, you have come to the right place. This article will walk you through every possible method—from quick registry tweaks to manual installations—to bring back the legendary, lightweight, and reliable "old Paint" to your Windows 10 desktop.
If you want a perfectly clean system with only Classic Paint, you can uninstall Paint 3D.
Via Settings:
Via PowerShell (as Admin):
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.MSPaint* | Remove-AppxPackage
Wait—careful! The command above removes the new Paint 3D. To remove Paint 3D specifically, use:
Get-AppxPackage *Paint3D* | Remove-AppxPackage