What can we learn from the new “paint” of Windows 11


costnow.com is reader-supported and the following article contain affiliate links, When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I have a confession: I still use “Paint”, and even in terribly high frequency. In all my years in the digital press, this ugly software has solved problems for me that the fluffy design software, designed for non-designers, has only managed to complicate – image correction, adding elements and other wonderful magic. And she does it all with the simplicity and elegance of a 36-year-old app, whose popular glamorous days are already behind her. And you know what? I know I’m not alone – just look at what was discovered with the launch of Windows 11.

Where did the paint go?

Reviews of the new version of the operating system have focused on the aggressive push of the Edge browser and its system and security requirements, which throw not very old computers in the trash. But it also has an interesting change that has gone under the radar. sitting? No more Paint 3D.

Why is this interesting? Because for several years now Microsoft has been trying to get rid of the old paint Three Seconds of History – Be With Me: In July 2017 the company announced that the old Paint would no longer be built into Windows 10, but would be available as a standalone app in its store. Instead, she pushed Paint 3D inside. But users pointed with the mouse, and not only did the old paint remain – in the Windows 11 version launched this month, it was actually his well-dressed brother who was left out.

Each and every one of us has gone through their painting period (assuming you were born before the 2000s). When we did not have smartphones it was a great way to pass the time – I personally knew a few people (well, two) who turned it into art, including 200 percent magnification and pixel-pixel coloring that made up mind-blowing paintings in relation to technology. Their biggest tip: never take too long an action without lifting the mouse. Beginners are familiar the hard way with the Law of the Last 3 Actions.

I do not know what application I made in life that this software continues to serve me, but the fact that Microsoft was unable to get rid of it indicates that most users are still loyal to it, and were not even willing to consider going beyond 3D. But how can one explain the fact that technology so out of date, with a user interface that seems like the trouble of us all, continues to work so well?

The answer is that even if there is better technology, sometimes it’s just not what users need or want. It’s quite rare for product people to come across such cases: they work on improving the product back and forth, adding features, sanding every sharp corner – and now they have something seemingly better to offer. But sometimes users just are not interested in it all.

With the launch of Windows 1.0 in 1985, Paint (then called Paint Brush) became the most popular software – think about what it was like to paint on a computer in the 80’s, when the alternative was to play solitaire or go buy a new pedalphone for a wedding in Poseidon Halls. I do not know what Microsoft’s considerations were when investing time and resources in 3D, but the glorious history of its older brother should have lit a red light for them.

In its glorious surrender, Microsoft has improved the software in the new version – for the first time in years. In addition to some improvements, it now looks much better and there is even a Dark Mode. Hi-Tech.