Microsoft has announced that it will be stopping the development of the Paint 3D application. Beginning November 2024, the app development will halt and the app will be removed from the Microsoft Store. Microsoft announced this on a support page.
Paint 3D was announced in 2016 and became available in 2017. During those years, Microsoft was heavily focused on virtual reality and augmented reality, including its HoloLens headset. The tech giant wanted Windows to be part of this movement, so apps needed to support 3D.
The 3D version of Paint was intended to replace the existing Paint application. Paint would no longer be included by default in Windows 10 and would only be available as an optional download from the Microsoft Store. One of Paint 3Ds key features was the ability to create 3D objects and then view them using the HoloLens or another VR/AR headset.
However, the replacement of Paint with Paint 3D didn’t go as planned because users were not satisfied with Paint 3D and missed the original Paint. As a result, Microsoft quickly changed its strategy and decided to keep both Paint applications available side by side in Windows 10.
Since 2021, Paint 3D has not been included in a clean installation of Windows 10. Now, three years later, the end of this failed 3D app is in sight. As of November 4, Paint 3D will no longer receive updates and will no longer be available in the Microsoft Store.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been working on updates to the original Paint application for some time. Recent updates include new brushes, erasers, and new sliders for brush sizes. Additionally, Paint in Windows 11 has received a refresh with a new interface and new features.