Reverting Paint: Restoring The Classic Version

how do i restore the earlier version of paint

Microsoft's newer versions of Paint, such as Paint 3D, have been criticised for being less user-friendly than the classic Paint app. Many users have expressed a preference for the older version of the software, and it is possible to restore the classic Paint app on Windows 10 and 11. This can be done by downloading the Classic Paint setup program and installing it alongside the inbox version, or by modifying some registry keys.

Characteristics Values
Why restore the older version of Paint? Users have complained about the new version of Paint, citing issues with the zoom, canvas resizer, and centred canvas.
The new version also requires more keystrokes and effort to perform simple tasks.
The older version of Paint is more streamlined and easier to use.
How to restore the older version of Paint Download the Classic Paint setup program and launch the installer.
Specify the folder where you want to install it (the default location is acceptable).
Read the provided instructions carefully and click on the "Open Settings" button.
Once the Settings app opens to the "Advanced App Settings" page, click on "App execution aliases".
Disable "Paint" aliases for mspaint.exe and pbrush.exe entries.
Alternative method Modify registry keys by navigating to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings and creating a new DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableModernPaintBootstrap. Change the value to 0.
Alternative program Paint.NET, which can be downloaded for free from their website or purchased from the store.

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Download the Classic Paint setup program

To download the Classic Paint setup program, you can follow these steps:

  • Download the Setup Program: Visit a website that offers the Classic Paint setup program for Windows 10, such as the one mentioned in the search results. Download the setup program file to your computer.
  • Run the Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and double-click on it to initiate the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the installation.
  • Specify Installation Folder: During the installation, you may be asked to specify the folder where you want to install Classic Paint. You can choose the default location or select a custom folder.
  • Follow On-Screen Instructions: As the installation progresses, carefully read and follow any additional instructions provided by the setup program. These instructions may include specific settings or configuration options.
  • Complete the Installation: After you've made the necessary selections and configurations, finish the setup process. Once completed, you should be able to find the Classic Paint app shortcut in your Start menu or launch it from the taskbar's search box.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully download and install the Classic Paint setup program on your Windows device, restoring the earlier version of Paint that you prefer.

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Install alongside the inbox version

If you want to install the older version of Paint alongside the inbox version, you can do so by downloading the MS Paint app from the Microsoft Store. Here's how you can do it:

First, open the Microsoft Store on your Windows device. You can find it in your Start menu or by searching for it using the search bar. Once the Microsoft Store is open, click on the search bar at the top-right corner of the window and search for "MS Paint".

The MS Paint app should appear in the search results. Click on the app to open its store page. On the MS Paint store page, you'll see a description of the app, reviews, and a "Get" or "Install" button. Click on that button to initiate the installation process.

You might be asked to sign in to your Microsoft account or provide administrator permissions during the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Once the installation is finished, you can open the new MS Paint app by going to your Start menu or searching for it using the search bar.

Now you have both the inbox version of Paint and the older version of Paint installed on your device. You can use the inbox version for basic painting and drawing, while the MS Paint app from the Microsoft Store offers additional features and functionality.

Having both versions installed gives you the flexibility to choose which one to use depending on your needs. You can even pin the MS Paint app to your taskbar or Start menu for quick access, allowing you to easily switch between the two versions of Paint. Remember that having multiple versions of Paint installed might consume additional storage space on your device.

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Modify registry keys

To restore the classic Paint app, you will need to modify some registry keys. Before you begin, it is important to back up your registry.

To get started, click on the Start menu, type "regedit", right-click, and then select "Run as administrator". Navigate to the following registry key: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings. You can copy and paste this string into the new Registry address bar and hit Enter.

Within the Settings, right-click, select "New > DWORD (32-bit) Value", and then enter "DisableModernPaintBootstrap". Right-click on the DWORD value, select "Properties", and change the value to 0 if it is not already set to that value. If you don't see a registry key for Settings, you will need to create one. To do this, right-click on Paint, select "New > Key", and then enter the word "Settings".

Once you have made these changes, exit the registry and launch Paint as you normally would. You should now have access to the classic Paint app alongside the newer version.

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Change the path to the old version

To change the path to the old version of Paint, you will need to modify some registry keys. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  • Backup your registry: This is important to do before making any changes to your system.
  • Open the Registry Editor: Click Start, type "regedit", right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator".
  • Navigate to the Paint Settings registry key: Copy and paste the following path into the Registry Editor address bar and hit Enter: "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings".
  • Create a new DWORD value: Within the "Settings" key, right-click, hover over "New", and select "DWORD (32-bit) Value". Name the new value "DisableModernPaintBootstrap".
  • Modify the DWORD value: Right-click on the "DisableModernPaintBootstrap" DWORD, select "Properties", and ensure the value is set to "0".
  • Change the default program: Go to your Windows settings and set the old version of Paint as your default program for opening images or other relevant file types.
  • Create a shortcut to the old Paint executable: Locate the old Paint executable file, which is typically found in "C:\Windows\system32\mspaint.exe". Create a shortcut to this file and place it on your desktop or another easily accessible location.

By following these steps, you will be able to change the path to the old version of Paint and set it as your default program for opening certain file types.

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Download Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a free image editing software designed to be an alternative to the classic MS Paint. It offers a familiar user interface with a more extensive set of tools and options. Paint.NET has become the go-to choice for many Windows users, as it provides a powerful set of features similar to Adobe products but with a faster and simpler download and setup process.

The software has a menu bar and icon bar on the right, where users can perform actions such as saving, printing, and customizing their chosen mediums. Beneath these bars, users can access four main categories: tools, history, layers, and colors. The tool tab is represented by a hammer icon, and clicking it reveals a wide variety of powerful tools. The history feature can be accessed by pressing the clock icon, while the layers section is symbolized by sheets of paper. The color wheel button leads to the color menu, where users can select their preferred paint palette by clicking and dragging on the wheel.

The layers tab within Paint.NET offers significant flexibility, allowing users to add, delete, duplicate, move, and customize different content elements. The 'Layer Properties' window also enables users to adjust the visibility of layers. Additionally, the software includes a helpful ''Deselect' button in the upper-left icon menu, denoted by a box with a red x. This button allows users to undo highlighted areas.

While the 'Classic' edition of Paint.NET is free to download, the developers have introduced a paid version available on the Microsoft Store. This purchasable option provides automatic updates and easier installations. Despite the similarity between the free and paid versions, the developers opted to offer the app for a fee due to financial considerations.

Frequently asked questions

To restore the Windows 10-like version of Paint on Windows 11, you can download the Classic Paint setup program. Launch the installer and specify the folder where you want to install it. The default location is typically fine. Read the provided instructions carefully, and click on the "Open Settings" button. Once the Settings app opens to the "Advanced App Settings" page, click on "App execution aliases". Disable "Paint" aliases for mspaint.exe and pbrush.exe entries using the toggle switches next to their names. Close the Settings app, and you're done.

To restore the classic Paint app on Windows 10, you need to modify some registry keys. First, back up your registry. Then, click Start, type "regedit", right-click, and click "Run as administrator". Navigate to the following registry key: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Settings. Within Settings, right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) value. Enter "DisableModernPaintBootstrap", right-click the DWORD value, click Properties, and change the value to 0.

Yes, you can change the default program that opens when you right-click on an image file. The new version of Paint is typically located in %windir%\System32\mspaint.exe. You can change the path to the old version of Paint, which may be located in a different folder, such as W:\Documents\Computer Stuff\WINDOWS 10\OLD MSPAINT\MSOldPaintx64.exe.

Yes, you can download Paint.NET, a simple and free image editing program that provides a similar experience to the classic Paint application.

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