By Vafa Batool
Microsoft’s latest update for Windows 10 introduces a number of exciting features, but it kills off a few longstanding programs such as Outlook Express, Reader app and Reading list. But the one thing scrapped that has left users with mixed feelings is the absence of Microsoft Paint as a pre-installed program from the system. The editing software that children are first acquainted with as they are introduced to the computer faces will be eliminated after it has been around for more than three decades.
Paint was launched in November 1985 alongside Microsoft 1.0 as a 1-bit monochrome version and since then Microsoft has updated it several times along the years in order to improve and enhance its use such as introducing the jpeg picture format as part of Windows 98. Microsoft released Paint 3D with Windows 10 Creators Update in April this year which comprises of traditional Paint along with the 3D image features; however, this update hardly resembles the Paint computer users are familiar with.
Even though MS Paint will always be associated as shorthand for poorly designed digital art among a plethora of advanced photo editing applications, it has been a perfect software for anyone to scribble about and for children to spend hours on it to evade boredom. It was also commonly used to capture screenshots before Snipping Tool was specifically released by Microsoft for this purpose.
The image-editing application is officially being classified by Microsoft as a “deprecated feature,” as noted by The Guardian. While Paint still remains as a program with limited features, the users have grown to embrace the application as such. They expressed their grievances when it was announced that Paint would be killed off from the computers with the new update:
RIP, Microsoft Paint. I will always love you. More: https://t.co/OygmQVNQXi
— Adam Rivers (@adamrivers) July 25, 2017
🙁
Microsoft Paint to Be Killed Off Soon, Company Reveals https://t.co/vBwA2YZfuK— Sinbad The Sailor (@souleshan) July 25, 2017
Microsoft Paint to be killed off after 32 years ??https://t.co/AhjHKlmjjk pic.twitter.com/OV9xVQf6eV
— Chaitanya (@justchintus) July 25, 2017
Just found out Microsoft Paint ? is not being updated anymore and might be deleted. I am devastated! My Golden Girls blog relies on it…
— Odette Wilson (@odettemwilson) July 25, 2017
While Paint has been termed as “not be in active development and might be removed in future releases”, Microsoft has announced that it is here to stay, but only in Microsoft office. Nevertheless, it does mark an end to the classic image-editing app that has been a favorite among children and adults alike for quite some time.
