Microsoft horrified the world this week when it revealed it would be scrapping Paint after 32 years.
Part of Windows’ operating system since it’s launch in 1985, the Paint app had managed to survive other advancements in technology for over three decades. That was until this week, when the company revealed that it wouldn’t be a default feature of Windows 10.
Cue the breakdown of millions would had grown up creating masterpieces on the 2D platform, with some of their best work save for the touching Paint based farewells.
Here are some of the best:
All the drawings. All the memories.
Much nostalgia.#MSPaint #Windows #Microsoft pic.twitter.com/UNSBY6mLXi— Beebom (@beebomco) July 24, 2017
R.I.P. My childhood with Microsoft Paint 1998-2017. :'(. #MSpaint pic.twitter.com/cTpoWHwxFS
— Kayla Rae??? (@KaylaColgan) July 24, 2017
RIP MS Paint ?
1985-2017 ?
Long 32 years journey has came to an end ?Microsoft to kill MS Paint in an impending update ?#MSPaint pic.twitter.com/IuI23cV64p
— AMAL .G.S ( अमल) (@mr_amalgs) July 24, 2017
Children of the future will never know the joy of spending hours doing this on Microsoft Paint #MSpaint pic.twitter.com/IY6kDxPdc4
— Fiona (@McDoFi) July 24, 2017
RIP Microsoft Paint, 1985-2017 ?
You Will Be Missed.@Microsoft #DigiUnbox #Microsoft #microsoftpaint #RIPMSPaint #RIPMicrosoftPaint pic.twitter.com/ZzvPZUt455— DigiUnbox (@DigiUnbox) July 25, 2017
Goodbye Paint, goodbye CHILDHOOD pic.twitter.com/oDHj26TbpN
— Melanie ? Murphy (@melaniietweets) July 24, 2017
Pour one out for the homie Microsoft Paint. Microsoft is killing it off with Windows 10 this year. ? #memories pic.twitter.com/Cw9SijHqhd
— Complex (@Complex) July 24, 2017
It’s a sad day. I remember spending hours in school doing this on Microsoft Paint #MSPaint pic.twitter.com/AnQu9qVAw5
— Daniel (@DanielBruce_8) July 24, 2017
Microsoft Paint will soon be no more https://t.co/nE9HGdCXdn pic.twitter.com/EDrNVSA2A8
— Mashable Tech (@mashabletech) July 24, 2017
*in a dark alley, 2024* “you got what I need?” Yeah, yeah… *slips you a bootleg thumbdrive of Microsoft Paint*
— Crendor (@crendor) July 24, 2017
After sending shockwaves round the world, Microsoft thankfully did a huge U-turn and in a blog on Monday to “clear up some confusion” and insisted Paint would just be moving home.
They revealed while Paint3D, a new version of the feature, would be the default application for Windows 10 – it wasn’t the end of the line for the original Paint. Users would just have to download it – for free – from the Windows Store.
They wrote: “Today, we’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support and nostalgia around MS Paint. If there’s anything we learned, it’s that after 32 years, MS Paint has a lot of fans. It’s been amazing to see so much love for our trusty old app. Amidst today’s commentary around MS Paint we wanted to take this opportunity to set the record straight, clear up some confusion and share some good news.
“MS Paint is here to stay, it will just have a new home soon, in the Windows Store where it will be available for free.”
We’re still not completely happy that Paint won’t be a default feature, but at least it’s not dead entirely.
And it’s consoling to know that Paint isn’t the only app Micrsoft have been toying with. Microsoft Minesweeper has also been relegated to the app store as a feautre you have to download.
Who are the people making these decisions?