PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Paint 3D is discontinued. Microsoft deprecated the app in August 2024 and removed it from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024. If Paint 3D is still installed on your Windows PC, it may continue to work; if you removed it or never had it, Microsoft no longer provides a normal official Store download as of September 2026.
This guide explains what happened, how to check and preserve an existing installation, why unofficial installers are risky, and which replacement is best for 2D painting or 3D modeling.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What was Paint 3D?
Paint 3D was Microsoft’s simplified creative app for Windows 10. It combined familiar 2D drawing tools with a beginner-friendly 3D workspace, allowing users to create simple objects, apply colors, stickers, textures and effects, and place 2D and 3D elements together on one canvas.
It was useful for quick illustrations, school projects, mockups, annotations and simple visual assets. Touchscreens and compatible styluses made it especially approachable. However, Paint 3D was never intended to replace professional digital-painting software, CAD applications, animation tools or full 3D suites.
#1 Best Overall
- Universal Compatibility: It's compatible with Windows 7/8/10/11, Mac 10.10 or later, Linux. Compatible with Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, Painter, MediBang, Clip Studio, and more. It's ideal for digital drawing, animation, sketching, photo editing, 3D sculpting, and more (XP-PEN Artist12 drawing tablet must be connected to a computer to work).
- 11.6 HD IPS display: Artist12 drawing tablet is the XP-PEN’s latest smallest 1920x1080 HD display paired with 72% NTSC(100%SRGB) Color Gamut, presenting vivid images, vibrant colors and extreme detail for a stunning display of your artwork. It's pre-installed anti-reflective screen protector already. The slim touch bar can be programmed to zoom in and out, scroll up and down. Its 6 shortcut keys are customizable, XP-PEN driver allows the shortcut keys to be attuned to other different software
- Battery-free stylus with a digital eraser at the end: XP-PEN advanced P06 passive pen was made for a traditional pencil-like feel! Featuring a unique hexagonal design, non-slip & tack-free flexible glue grip, partial transparent pen tip, and an eraser at the end! Delivering technical sense, high efficiency, with a fashionable and comfortable grip, and there are 8 replacement pen nibs included with the multi-function pen holder
- XP-PEN Artist12 drawing tablet with screen is ideal for online education and remote work. Set the Artist12 drawing screen as an extended display when working from home, visually present your handwritten notes on the screen directly. Teachers and students can write and edit complicated functional equations with ease. It's compatible with XSplit, Zoom, Twitch, Microsoft Teams, ezTalks Webinar, Idroo, Scribbiar, wiziQ, and more
- XP-PEN provides a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support for all our drawing pen tablets/displays. Register your XP-PEN Artist12 drawing tablet on xp-pen web to apply for an ArtRage 5, openCanvas, or Explain Everything. Your laptop/desktop needs to have HDMI and USB-A ports available for the connection, or you need an extra converter(such as Thunderbolt to HDMI, depends on what ports that your laptop/desktop has) for the connection
Is Paint 3D still available?
No. Microsoft lists Paint 3D as deprecated in August 2024 and says it was removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024. Microsoft also says existing installations will continue to work, but that does not mean the app is still supported or guaranteed to work on every future Windows release.
See Microsoft’s deprecated Windows features documentation for the current status.
| Windows situation | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 PC that already included Paint 3D | The app may remain installed and may continue to run. |
| Windows 10 PC that never had Paint 3D | There is no dependable official Store installation route now. |
| New Windows 11 installation | Paint 3D was not preinstalled on Windows 11 devices. |
| Existing installation after Store removal | It may still launch, but Microsoft no longer maintains or distributes it through the Store. |
Windows 10 itself reached end of support on October 14, 2025, so keeping an old Paint 3D installation is not a reason to treat Windows 10 as a supported long-term operating-system choice. Check Microsoft’s Windows 10 support notice for details.
Can you download Paint 3D officially in 2026?
Not as a normal official Microsoft Store download. Searching the Store, using old Store links or running commands that search for the removed app should not be expected to restore it.
If you already have it, check before attempting recovery:
Rank #2
- PLEASE NOTE：XPPen Artist13.3 Pro drawing tablet Need to connect with computer,you need to use it with your computer or laptop, the 3 in 1 cable is included
- Drawing Tablet with Screen: Tilt Function- XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro supports up to 60 degrees of tilt function, so now you don't need to adjust the brush direction in the software again and again. Simply tilt to add shading to your creation and enjoy smoother and more natural transitions between lines and strokes
- Graphics Tablets: High Color Gamut- The 13.3 inch fully-laminated FHD Display pairs a superb color accuracy of 88% NTSC (Adobe RGB≧91%，sRGB≧123%) with a 178-degree viewing angle and delivers rich colors, vivid images, and dazzling details in a wider view. Your creative world is now as powerful as it is colorful
- Drawing Pad: One is enough- The sleek Red Dial on the display is expertly designed with creators in mind, its strategic placement allows for natural drawing postures. With just one wheel, you can effortlessly zoom in and out, adjust brush sizes, and flip the canvas—all tailored to suit the habits of everyday artists. The 8 customizable shortcut keys allow you to personalize your setup, streamlining your workflow and enhancing creative efficiency
- Universal Compatibility & Software Support：supports Windows 7 (or later), Mac OS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and Linux systems. Fully compatible with major creative software including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, and Blender 3D. Register your device to access additional programs like ArtRage 5 and openCanvas for expanded creative possibilities.
- Open Start and search for Paint 3D.
- Launch it if it appears.
- If it opens, avoid uninstalling it until important work has been preserved.
- Back up your project files to another drive or cloud location.
An existing app can disappear after an uninstall, system reset or Windows change. A computer may retain the application while no longer having the original package needed to reinstall it. Store behavior can also differ between upgrades, clean installations, user accounts and managed school or business devices.
Should you use an unofficial Paint 3D installer?
It is safer not to. Microsoft no longer provides an official download channel, so a package hosted on a file-sharing site, software mirror or archive cannot be treated as an equivalent Microsoft installer.
Risks include:
- Modified application files or an untrustworthy publisher signature.
- Malware, unwanted software or bundled installers.
- Missing dependencies or failed app registration.
- Incompatibility with your Windows build or system architecture.
- No security updates, bug fixes or Microsoft support.
- Conflicts with school, workplace or enterprise security policies.
This does not prove that every archived copy is malicious. It means that third-party copies are unverified and do not provide the safety or support of an official Microsoft distribution. Avoid registry tricks, repacked MSIX or AppX files and claims that a download is “official” without a current Microsoft source.
If Paint 3D is installed but broken
The following are general Windows app-repair steps, not a current Microsoft-supported Paint 3D recovery procedure. Menu labels can vary by Windows version.
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for Paint 3D.
- Open its menu and choose Advanced options, if available.
- Try Repair first. This normally attempts to fix the app without removing its data.
- Back up any accessible projects before trying Reset. Reset can remove app data and settings.
- Restart Windows and test the app again.
If Paint 3D was uninstalled, do not assume the Microsoft Store can restore it. Repeatedly installing packages from unverified sources is usually a worse option than moving to a supported replacement.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- PLEASE NOTE: The XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro needs to connect with a computer to use. You need to use it with your Computer or Laptop. It is NOT a standalone drawing tablet
- Outstanding Visuals: The immersive 15.6 inch large screen with 1920x1080 p full HD resolution presents your creation in the depth of detail, provides you with clarity to see every detail of your work
- 8 customized express keys: The Artist 15.6 Pro monitor features 8 fully customizable shortcut keys and puts more customization options at your fingertips to suit you preferred work style, allowing you to capture and express your ideas easier and faster for optimized workflow
- Full-laminated Technology: XPPen Artist15.6 Pro art tablet is adopting full-laminated technology, seamlessly combines the glass and the screen, to create a distraction-free working environment that's also easy on the eyes
- Advanced Pen Performance: With up to 16384 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Battery-free Stylus provides you with increased accuracy and enhanced performance to create the finest sketches and lines
Preserve Paint 3D projects before changing anything
If old artwork matters, preservation is more important than finding an installer. Open important projects while the existing app still works, then:
- Keep the original project files.
- Export copies in common formats whenever Paint 3D offers that option.
- Save screenshots or flattened images for simple archival.
- Store backups in more than one location.
- Open exported files in the replacement program to verify them.
A finished image is generally easier to preserve than an editable 3D scene. Do not assume that every Paint 3D project will transfer perfectly to another application. Stickers, materials, lighting, object relationships and other scene information may be lost or flattened during export.
What replaced Paint 3D?
There is no single direct replacement. The right choice depends on whether you used Paint 3D mainly as a 2D drawing app or for its 3D-object tools.
Microsoft Paint: best for 2D work
The current Microsoft Paint app is the closest first-party replacement for Paint 3D’s 2D functions. Microsoft promotes Paint for Windows 11 with tools such as layers, background removal, brush and stylus support, and Image Creator on eligible systems.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →It is a good fit for cropping, drawing, text, simple shapes, annotations and basic image composition. It is not a replacement for Paint 3D’s 3D canvas or editable 3D-object workflow. Feature availability can vary by Windows release, hardware, account, rollout status and Microsoft Store app version. See the official Microsoft Paint page.
Rank #4
- 【Fully-Laminated Anti-Glare Screen & Zero Parallax】 Adopting cutting-edge fully-laminated technology, the 11.6-inch IPS display seamlessly combines glass and screen to eliminate visual gaps. With virtually zero parallax, your cursor lands precisely where you intend, offering an authentic, paper-like drawing experience. The built-in anti-glare protective film reduces harsh reflections, protecting your eyes during long creative sessions
- 【Innovative Red Dial & 8 Customizable Express Keys】 Streamline your workflow with the sleek, tactile Red Dial interface designed to fit comfortably in your hand. Easily zoom in/out on your canvas and adjust brush sizes with higher accuracy than traditional touch bars. Combined with 8 customizable shortcut keys, it lets you bypass the keyboard, capture ideas faster, and boost productivity for digital painting and editing
- 【8192 Levels Pressure Sensitivity & 60° Natural Tilt Support】 Powered by a battery-free stylus that requires no charging, this tablet delivers superior precision with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity—capturing every nuance down to individual hairs. Enjoy natural tilt support up to 60 degrees, allowing you to add smooth, organic shading without constantly adjusting brush angles in your software
- 【Must Connect to a Device & Broad System Compatibility】 Please note that this is a drawing monitor and cannot be used as a standalone tablet; it must be connected to a host device. It offers wide compatibility, supporting Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.10 or later, ChromeOS 88 or later, and Linux. Featuring a convenient 3-in-1 cable, it integrates seamlessly with major creative software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and SAI
- 【Versatile for E-Learning, Remote Teaching & Web Conferencing】 Beyond digital art, sketching, and animation, the Artist 12 Pro is a powerful productivity extension for your computer. When connected to your system, it enables smooth digital writing, document annotation, and real-time screen sharing on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, empowering interactive remote classes and online webinars
Blender: best for serious 3D creation
Blender is free and open-source and provides genuine desktop 3D tools for modeling, sculpting, texturing, animation and rendering. It is the strongest no-cost option when you need capabilities beyond simple shapes.
The trade-off is complexity. Blender has a much steeper learning curve, a denser interface and greater hardware demands than Paint 3D. It is a poor fit if you only want to make a quick cartoon object or sticker. Blender documents Windows x64 and ARM64 options and recommends Windows 10 or Windows 11 for its current software; consult its official requirements before installing.
SketchUp Free: best for simple browser-based models
SketchUp Free runs in a browser and suits room layouts, furniture concepts, simple objects and architectural-style shapes. Its free tier includes web modeling, Trimble Connect cloud storage, access to 3D Warehouse and 10 GB of cloud storage.
Recommended Free Tools
It requires internet access, is structured around modeling rather than freeform painting, and its free tier is for noncommercial use. It is therefore approachable for conceptual 3D work but not a direct Paint 3D clone. Details are available in SketchUp’s free-tier documentation.
Other useful directions
- Paint.NET: lightweight 2D image editing.
- GIMP: more powerful 2D editing, with a less beginner-friendly interface.
- FreeCAD: precise technical and parametric modeling.
- Tinkercad: simple browser-based shapes and education-focused projects; verify the current official product page before relying on it.
- Commercial CAD or modeling software: appropriate when measurements, manufacturing, architecture or engineering are central.
Quick replacement guide
| Your main need | Best direction | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing, cropping, text or annotation | Microsoft Paint | No 3D workspace |
| Simple browser-based 3D shapes or layouts | SketchUp Free | Internet required; free tier is noncommercial |
| Modeling, sculpting, rendering or animation | Blender | Much harder to learn |
| Precise engineering design | CAD-focused software | More specialized and usually less casual |
| Old Paint 3D projects | Keep the working installation and export backups | Continued operation is not guaranteed |
Microsoft Paint versus Paint 3D
Choose Microsoft Paint when your old workflow involved mostly 2D drawing, image editing, layers, background removal, text or quick annotations. Keep looking for a 3D application when you need to rotate, edit and arrange 3D objects as part of a scene.
Best Value
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
In short, Paint is the closest Microsoft replacement by purpose and availability, but it replaces only the 2D side of Paint 3D—not the 3D modeling side.
Bottom line
Paint 3D is a discontinued legacy Windows app, not a currently downloadable Microsoft product. An existing installation may still work, so preserve important projects before changing it. If Paint 3D is missing, avoid unofficial installers and choose Microsoft Paint for 2D work, SketchUp Free for approachable browser-based modeling, or Blender for full desktop 3D creation.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Paint 3D free?
It was a free Microsoft Windows app, but it is no longer available as a normal Microsoft Store download.
Is Paint 3D included with Windows 11?
No. Paint 3D was not preinstalled on new Windows 11 installations.
Can I reinstall Paint 3D after uninstalling it?
Microsoft no longer provides a dependable official Store reinstall route. Avoid treating third-party packages as official installers.
Can Microsoft Paint open Paint 3D files?
Microsoft Paint can handle suitable 2D exports, but it is not a guaranteed editor for Paint 3D’s original 3D project structure.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat is the easiest Paint 3D alternative?
Microsoft Paint is the easiest first-party choice for 2D work. SketchUp Free is more suitable for simple browser-based 3D modeling.
What is the best professional alternative to Paint 3D?
Blender is the strongest free general-purpose 3D alternative, while CAD-focused software is better for precise engineering or manufacturing designs.
Quick Recap
