Let's be real: MS Paint is the cockroach of software. You can't kill it, and honestly, why would you want to? It’s been bundled with Windows since the mid-80s, back when a mouse was a weird peripheral nobody knew what to do with. Even now, in a world of AI-generated art and Photoshop, there’s something weirdly satisfying about the pixelated, lo-fi simplicity of a spray can tool and a bucket fill.
You’re likely here because you accidentally uninstalled it, you’re stuck on a Mac and feeling nostalgic, or maybe your Windows "N" edition didn't come with the goods. Getting MS Paint isn't always as simple as clicking a shortcut anymore, especially since Microsoft tried to "deprecate" it a few years back before the internet collectively lost its mind and forced them to keep it.
The Windows 10 and 11 Situation: Finding the "Missing" App
If you're on a modern PC and can't find the app, don't panic. You haven't broken your computer. Usually, it's just hidden or tucked away in the Optional Features menu. Microsoft shifted how they handle legacy apps, making them "on-demand" features to save space for people who don't care about drawing stick figures.
To get MS Paint back on a standard Windows 11 build, your first stop is the Microsoft Store. It sounds counterintuitive for a built-in app, but that’s where the official "Paint" listing lives now. Search for it. Click get. Done.
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But what if the Store is blocked by your IT department? Or what if you're on a legacy version of Windows 10? You’ll need to dive into the Settings. Hit the Windows Key + I. Go to Apps, then Optional features. Click "View features" and type "Paint." If it's not installed, you can check the box and let Windows do its thing. It takes about thirty seconds.
Sometimes, people confuse the classic MS Paint with Paint 3D. Let’s be clear: they are not the same thing. Paint 3D was Microsoft’s attempt to make things "modern" and "cool," but it lacked the soul of the original. Most users find it clunky. If you want the old-school vibe, make sure you're looking for the app simply titled "Paint."
Getting the Classic XP Version (The Real Nostalgia Trip)
There is a specific subset of people who don't want the "New" Paint. They want the Windows XP or Windows 7 version. The one with the gray UI and the specific way the pencil tool moved. You can actually get this version—often called "MS Paint Classic"—through various third-party archives.
However, you have to be careful. Downloading random .exe files from the web is a great way to turn your laptop into a brick. Sites like WinWorldPC or the Internet Archive host legitimate copies of old Windows binaries. These are "portable" versions. You don't even install them; you just run the executable. It’s a bit of a gray area legally, but since Microsoft gives the modern version away for free, nobody is coming to knock down your door for running a version from 2001.
Why bother? The modern Windows 11 Paint has some decent features, like transparency and layers—yes, finally, layers—but it feels different. The latency is different. If you’re a pixel artist, that old-school engine is actually superior for precise, single-pixel clicks.
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How to Get MS Paint on a Mac (Yes, It’s Possible)
This is the big one. macOS users have been jealous of Paint for decades, mostly because the Apple equivalent—Preview—is great for PDFs but sucks for doodling. You cannot "natively" run MS Paint on a Mac because it's built on Win32 architecture. It's like trying to put a Ford engine in a Tesla.
But you have options.
First, there’s the JS Paint route. It is a web-based remake that is pixel-perfect. It’s not just a lookalike; it’s a functional clone that runs in Safari or Chrome. You can drag and drop images into it, and it feels exactly like the Windows 95 version. If you just need to crop something or make a quick meme, this is the fastest way. No download required.
If you need it offline, you'll need a compatibility layer like Wine or Crossover. These programs translate Windows "talk" into Mac "talk" in real-time. It’s heavy lifting for a 2MB drawing program, but it works.
Then there’s the "Copycat" method. Developers have built Mac-specific apps that are clones of MS Paint. Paintbrush is the most famous one. It’s open-source. It’s lightweight. It has the same toolset. It doesn't have the Microsoft branding, but if you close your eyes, you can't tell the difference.
Linux Users: The Wine Solution
If you’re on Linux, you probably already know about GIMP or Krita, but those are overkill for most tasks. To get MS Paint on Linux, most people use the Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) layer.
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- Install Wine via your terminal (e.g.,
sudo apt install wine-stable). - Grab the
mspaint.exefile from a Windows installation (usually found inC:\Windows\System32). - Run it with
wine mspaint.exe.
It runs flawlessly. Alternatively, the Linux community created KolourPaint. It’s basically a love letter to MS Paint for the KDE desktop environment. It’s arguably better because it supports more file formats while keeping the interface painfully simple.
Why Everyone Still Wants This App in 2026
It’s about friction. Or the lack of it.
Modern software is bloated. If you open Photoshop, you’re greeted with a splash screen, a login prompt for Adobe Creative Cloud, and a workspace that looks like the cockpit of a 747. MS Paint opens in under a second. You paste a screenshot, you draw a red circle around the problem, you save it. Boom. Done.
There is also the "Art Brut" movement. Professional illustrators often use Paint to force themselves to work within limitations. When you don't have fancy brushes or pressure sensitivity, you have to rely on composition and color. Pat Hines, a fairly well-known illustrator, famously spent ten years perfecting his craft in MS Paint because he simply didn't like other programs. He even illustrated a whole novel using it.
The limitations aren't bugs; they're features.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes the app just won't open. Or it says it's "corrupted." This usually happens after a Windows Update.
If your MS Paint won't launch:
- Open PowerShell as an Administrator.
- Type:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MSPaint | Reset-AppxPackage. - Hit Enter.
This "factory resets" the app without deleting your drawings. It fixes 90% of the registry errors that cause the app to hang on the splash screen.
Another common annoyance: the new "Background Removal" tool in the Windows 11 version. It’s surprisingly good, but it can be buggy on older hardware. If it crashes your app, try lowering your canvas resolution. The AI features in the new Paint require a bit more RAM than the classic version did.
Actionable Steps to Get Started
If you want the absolute easiest path to having MS Paint ready to go, do this:
- Check the Microsoft Store first. Even if you think you have it, the Store version is the most stable and receives security updates.
- Pin it to your Taskbar. Stop searching for it every time. Right-click the icon while it's open and select "Pin to taskbar."
- Learn the keyboard shortcuts. They haven't changed in thirty years.
Ctrl + Rflips the image.Ctrl + Wresizes it.Ctrl + Gtoggles the grid (perfect for pixel art). - Use JS Paint for non-Windows devices. Bookmark jspaint.app. It works on iPhones, iPads, and Android tablets too. It’s the best "no-install" version in existence.
- Explore the "Layers" panel. If you are on Windows 11, click the Layers button on the far right of the toolbar. It finally allows you to draw over photos without destroying the original pixels—a feature we waited decades for.
MS Paint isn't a powerhouse, but it's a staple. Whether you're on a Mac using a clone or a PC using the upgraded 2026 version, it remains the quickest way to get an idea from your brain onto a digital canvas.