Install Classic Paint Windows 10 Direct
Some Windows 10 versions include classic Paint as an optional feature.
💡 Not all Windows 10 builds list Paint here. If not found, use Method 2.
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.
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.
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.
Bringing the Classics Back: How to Get Classic MS Paint on Windows 10
If you've recently updated Windows 10 and found your familiar, no-frills Paint replaced by the more complex Paint 3D, you aren't alone. While Microsoft has pushed newer creative tools, many of us still crave the lightning-fast, simple interface of the original mspaint.exe.
The good news? The classic version is still very much alive—it’s just tucked away or needs a quick "nudge" to become your default again. Here are the three best ways to get your favorite digital canvas back. 1. The Official Way: Checking "Optional Features"
Before downloading anything, check if Windows simply moved Paint to the "optional" bin. This is the safest and most official method. Open Settings: Start > Settings > Apps Manage Optional Features: Optional features Add Paint: Add a feature
and type "Microsoft Paint." If it appears, select it and click
Once finished, restart your PC. You should find it in your Start menu under Windows Accessories 2. The Power User Fix: The Registry Tweak
Sometimes the classic app is actually still on your drive, but Windows 10 is programmed to "bootstrap" or redirect you to Paint 3D whenever you try to open it. You can stop this behavior with a quick Registry edit: , and hit Enter. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings
(If the "Paint" or "Settings" folders aren't there, right-click the parent folder to create them). Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value DisableModernPaintBootstrap and set the value to Restart your PC.
Classic Paint should now open directly instead of redirecting you. 3. The "Legacy" Installer (Third-Party)
If your system version has completely stripped the original files, you can use a standalone installer. Trusted community sites like have archived the original files from older Windows builds. install classic paint windows 10
Get the "Classic Paint for Windows 10" installer from a reputable archive.
and follow the wizard. It will typically install the app as "Paint Classic" to avoid conflicting with the built-in version. Once installed, right-click a file, select Open with > Choose another app , pick the classic Paint, and check "Always use this app" Why go back?
While Paint 3D offers layers and 3D modeling, classic Paint remains the king of
. It opens instantly, uses negligible system resources, and the selection/cropping tools are still more intuitive for quick screenshots and simple edits.
Are you struggling with a specific Windows 10 build version?
Let me know, and I can help you find the right registry path or installer! How to Install the Classic MS Paint App in Windows
To install or restore the classic Microsoft Paint (mspaint.exe) in Windows 10, you can use built-in Windows features or administrative commands. Method 1: Use Windows Optional Features
This is the easiest way to reinstall Paint if it is missing from your system. Open Settings Optional features Add a feature Add a feature (or "View features"). Find Paint : Type "Microsoft Paint" in the search bar. : Select it and click
: It is recommended to restart your PC once the installation is complete. Method 2: Use Command Prompt (Admin)
If the Settings menu fails, you can force the installation using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. Microsoft Learn Right-click the button and select Command Prompt (Admin) Windows PowerShell (Admin) Run the Uninstall command first (to clear errors):
dism /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.MSPaint~~~~0.0.1.0 Run the Install command
dism /Online /add-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.MSPaint~~~~0.0.1.0 Microsoft Learn Method 3: Locate the Existing App Sometimes Paint is already installed but hidden. Process Street How to Uninstall or Reinstall Paint in Windows 10
If you miss the simplicity of the original Microsoft Paint before it was replaced by more complex versions like Paint 3D, you can still restore the classic experience on Windows 10. While Microsoft deprecated the older version in favor of newer apps, it often remains hidden on your system or can be easily re-enabled through a few different methods.
Here is how you can install or restore classic Paint on your Windows 10 PC. Method 1: Enable via Optional Features
In many versions of Windows 10, classic Paint is still part of the operating system but may not be "active." You can check for it and install it through the official settings:
Open Settings (Win + I) and navigate to Apps > Optional features. Click Add a feature. Type "Microsoft Paint" into the search bar. If it appears, select it and click Install.
Once complete, restart your PC and search for "Paint" in the Start menu. Method 2: Restore Using the Windows Registry Some Windows 10 versions include classic Paint as
If the app is installed but searching for "Paint" keeps opening the newer "modern" version, you can force Windows to use the classic bootstrap through the Registry Editor. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings.
Note: If the "Settings" folder doesn't exist, right-click "Paint," select New > Key, and name it "Settings".
Right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it DisableModernPaintBootstrap.
Set its value to 1 to disable the modern version, or 0 to re-enable it. Close the editor and restart your computer. Method 3: Download a "Classic Paint" Installer
For users whose systems have completely removed the older files, several reputable third-party sites offer standalone installers that bring back the exact Windows 7-style Paint.
Winaero and MajorGeeks provide trusted versions of the "Classic Paint for Windows 10" installer.
After downloading and running the setup file, the app will typically appear as "Paint Classic" in your Start menu to avoid conflict with the default version. Method 4: Manage App Execution Aliases
Windows sometimes uses "aliases" to redirect old commands (like mspaint.exe) to the new app. Disabling these can help classic versions run correctly.
How to Install Classic Paint on Windows 10: Bring Back the Simple Tool You Love
Microsoft tried to replace the iconic Microsoft Paint with Paint 3D, but for many of us, the original remains the king of quick crops and simple doodles. If your PC is missing the classic version or it keeps redirecting you to the 3D app, here is how to get it back. Option 1: Reinstall via Windows Optional Features
In most modern versions of Windows 10, Classic Paint is an "Optional Feature" that can be toggled on or off. Open Settings and go to Apps. Click on Optional features. Click Add a feature and type "Paint" into the search bar.
Select Microsoft Paint, click Install, and restart your computer. Option 2: Use the Microsoft Store
Microsoft officially lists the classic Paint app as a standalone download for those who may have uninstalled it.
Visit the official Microsoft Store Paint Page and click Get or Install. Option 3: Disable the "Paint 3D" Redirect (Registry Fix)
If you have the old mspaint.exe but it keeps opening Paint 3D instead, you can use a registry tweak to stop the redirect. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings. 💡 Not all Windows 10 builds list Paint here
Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it DisableModernPaintBootstrap.
Double-click it and set the Value data to 1. Restart your PC. Option 4: Third-Party "Classic Paint" Installers
If your system files are missing entirely, community sites like Win7Games provide a "Classic Paint" installer that brings back the exact Windows 7/10 interface without any of the modern bloat.
The classic Microsoft Paint (mspaint.exe) is a staple for quick, simple image edits. While Microsoft has updated the application and sometimes hidden it in favor of "Paint 3D," it is still available on Windows 10. Depending on your system's current state, you can restore it using official settings, the Microsoft Store, or manual workarounds. Method 1: Reinstall via Optional Features (Recommended)
If Paint is missing entirely from your Start menu, it may have been uninstalled during a Windows update. You can reinstall it through the official Windows Settings without downloading third-party files. Open Settings (Windows Key + I). Go to Apps > Optional features. Click Add a feature. Type "Paint" into the search bar. Select Microsoft Paint and click Install.
Once finished, search for "Paint" in your Start menu to launch it. Method 2: Use the Microsoft Store
Microsoft now hosts Paint as a standalone app in the Microsoft Store. This is the official and most secure way to ensure you have the latest stable version of the classic ribbon-UI Paint. Open the Microsoft Store from your taskbar or Start menu. Search for "Paint."
Look for the official app published by Microsoft Corporation. Click Install or Get. Method 3: Disable "Modern Paint" (Registry Tweak)
If launching Paint keeps redirecting you to Paint 3D, you can use a registry edit to force Windows to open the classic version. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings.
If the Settings folder doesn't exist, right-click Paint and create a New > Key named "Settings."
Inside "Settings," right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name it DisableModernPaintBootstrap and ensure its value is set to 0. Method 4: Manual "Classic Paint" Installers
For users who want the specific Windows 7-style Paint without any modern modifications, community-provided installers like those from Win7Games or Winaero are popular options.
Tip: If you install a third-party classic version, you may need to disable App execution aliases to prevent conflicts. Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases and toggle off the switches for mspaint.exe. Comparison: Classic Paint vs. Alternatives
If you find the classic version too limited, several lightweight alternatives offer a similar "old-school" feel with more features: Paint.NET Advanced layer support and plugins IrfanView Rapid image viewing and batch resizing Krita Digital painting and sketching jpg or .png?
Sometimes, the Windows image is damaged. Run an SFC scan: