Relax, Microsoft says it won't delete MS Paint from Windows 10

You scared us for a minute there, Microsoft. After threatening to remove Paint from Windows, the company says the tool will remain pre-installed by default. — dpa

Microsoft Paint may not be the most sophisticated piece of software when it comes to digital creativity, and yet what would Windows be without its cult sketch tool?

Microsoft terrified Paint fans around the world when it announced in 2017 that it would no longer include the program in Windows by default, in future only offering it as a free download via the Microsoft Store.

But now one Microsoft employee says that the beloved doodling software will be left on Windows 10. "It'll remain included in Windows 10 for now," Microsoft developer Brandon LeBlanc tweeted, confirming its inclusion in the upcoming 1903 update in May.

While it falls well behind the features offered by Adobe's Creative Suite, MS Paint allows users to quickly carry out simple graphic work and image processing for free on a Windows computer.

The program has been part of the Microsoft operating system since Windows 95. The predecessor Paintbrush goes even further back into the Windows past.

There's also a successor in the form of the more modern Paint 3D, offering more advanced functions than the Windows veteran. – dpa