Microsoft ditches plan to scrap Paint... for now

A developer has confirmed that Paint is going to remain a part of Windows 10 "for now."

Microsoft faced criticism after it revealed its plan to stop developing the popular, basic drawing tool in 2017.

Later the tech giant confirmed that, though Paint would not be offered as default on the operating system, it will be still available in the Windows Store and can be downloaded.

Paint will be a part of the next Windows 10 update, which is planned to be released in May, said one of Microsoft's senior programme managers.

Answering a question on Twitter about its future, Brandon Le Blanc wrote: "Yes, MSPaint will be included in Windows 10 for now."

Fans are happy with the move. One tweeted: "I love MS Paint! It was all I had when it came to digital art. If I didn't have it I would never have gotten as good as I am now. I am happy it is around for other people to discover their artistic skills."

Another wrote: "I swear, you could give me the fanciest most expensive most amazing art program in the world and I'll still keep using MSPaint."

Microsoft Windows launched Paint first in 1985 as a basic graphics editor, which became more advanced after Paint 3D was introduced – which enabled three-dimensional models to be imported and manipulated.