Installing classic Paint on Windows 10 may require a few extra steps, but it's definitely possible. Whether you're a nostalgic user who misses the old Paint application or simply prefers its simplicity, classic Paint can still be a valuable addition to your Windows 10 toolkit.
If you have the old mspaint.exe but it keeps opening Paint 3D instead, you can use a registry tweak to stop the redirect. Press Win + R , type regedit , and hit Enter.
Note: The program requires the .mui language file to be in the exact subfolder structure relative to the executable, or it will fail to launch.
How to Install Classic MS Paint on Windows 10 Microsoft introduced Paint 3D with the Windows 10 Creators Update, aiming to replace the traditional, lightweight drawing tool. While Paint 3D offers advanced modeling features, many users prefer the speed, simplicity, and nostalgic interface of the original program.
Select the standard application (do not choose Paint 3D). How to Create a Shortcut Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type mspaint and press Enter . install classic paint windows 10
To install or restore the classic Microsoft Paint (mspaint.exe) in Windows 10, you can use built-in Windows features or administrative commands. Method 1: Use Windows Optional Features
This guide covers three proven methods to get the original MS Paint back on your computer, ranging from native Windows features to manually restoring the classic executable file.
When using the classic Paint, you might see errors regarding missing .mui files. To fix this:
(If the "Paint" or "Settings" folders aren't there, right-click the parent folder to create them). Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value DisableModernPaintBootstrap and set the value to Restart your PC. Installing classic Paint on Windows 10 may require
Copy both the mspaint.exe file and the language folder ( en-US ) from your USB drive into this new desktop folder. Double-click mspaint.exe to run Classic Paint instantly.
Instant Launch Times: Classic Paint opens in less than a second, even on older hardware, because it does not need to load modern framework libraries or cloud assets.
Note: The program requires the .mui file in its exact relative path directory to load the user interface buttons, text labels, and menus correctly. Without it, the application will throw a launch error. Troubleshooting Common Issues The System Keeps Opening Paint 3D Instead
The good news? The classic version is still very much alive—it’s just tucked away or needs a quick "nudge" to become your default again. Here are the three best ways to get your favorite digital canvas back. 1. The Official Way: Checking "Optional Features" Press Win + R , type regedit , and hit Enter
Method 3: Use JS Paint in Your Web Browser (No Installation Required)
This method restores the original executable files from a previous version of Windows or from a trusted repository, allowing you to run classic Paint without fully replacing the modern version.
If you do not see a folder named Settings under Paint , right-click Paint , select New -> Key , and name it Settings .
To help narrow down the instructions, tell me: Which is your PC currently running, do you have administrative access to run installers, and are you trying to set classic Paint as the default program for all image file types ? Share public link