MSPAINT

Microsoft Paint was first introduced in late 1985 as a simple raster graphics editor bundled with Windows 1.0. Originally developed by Dan McCabe and licensed from PC Paintbrush, the initial version supported only monochrome graphics, had 24 tools, and could read and write files only in the proprietary MSP format. Unique features at the time included Bézier curve drawing and isometric perspective line drawing. This marked the beginning of one of the most widely used Windows applications, introducing many users to digital painting.

In the early 1990s, Paint was superseded by an updated version known as Paintbrush included with Windows 3.0. This version featured a redesigned interface, true color support, and support for BMP and PCX formats. Later, with Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft rewrote Paint from scratch, dropping the licensing of PC Paintbrush code. This version introduced an updated user interface style that persisted up to Windows Vista and added the ability to save and load custom color palettes in 16-bit color depth images. It also supported popular image formats like JPEG, GIF, and TIFF, enhancing Paint's usefulness to users.

Starting with Windows XP, Paint began using GDI+ which allowed native support to save images in multiple formats including BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, and PNG without external filters. The user interface was updated but still retained its simplicity, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. However, support for custom color palettes was dropped. During this period, Paint cemented its role as a trusted default graphics editor, useful for casual editing, simple drawings, and quick image manipulation tasks.

In July 2017, Microsoft announced that Paint would be deprecated in the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, transitioning focus to Paint 3D as its successor. Paint was made a free standalone app on Microsoft Store, signaling the end of its inclusion as a default Windows component. This announcement led to significant public outcry as many users had grown attached to the classic Paint program due to its simplicity and longstanding presence.

Responding to user demand, Microsoft reversed its decision and continued including Paint with Windows 10 and even Windows 11, phasing out Paint 3D instead. The Windows 11 versions of Paint received an updated user interface including modern UI elements and features like dark mode support. This demonstrated the enduring cultural significance and popularity of MS Paint, maintaining it as a familiar and essential tool despite the evolving landscape of digital image editing.