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I recently upgraded my Windows Vista to Windows 7, but I am much more used to the MS Paint on Vista, so I would like to know how to get that version of MS Paint back.
The title says it all. After installing Windows 7, I tried using the MS Paint which was included with the upgrade, but I don't really favor it much, so I was wondering if there was any way to get the old MS Paint from Vista back.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Answer accepted by question author
Hi ZackHxC,
It is not possible to install Microsoft Paint from Vista in Windows 7, as it comes bundled with the operating system. There isn’t a standalone file for Microsoft Vista Paint from Microsoft to install in Windows 7.
Regards
Yaaser - Microsoft Support Engineer
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I'm not an 'engineer' -- I'm not sure I've ever ridden in a train -- but I do have an answer. Here is an easier method that doesn't disrupt permissions or file ownership; you can put mspaint.exe and mspaint.exe.mui anywhere at all; it doesn't matter where you put them, as long as you put mspaint.exe.mui in an 'en-US' subdirectory of where you put mspaint.exe.
For example, I put them in C:\Program Files. Mspaint.exe went in C:\Program Files\Paint Vista, and mspaint.exe.mui went in C:\Program Files\Paint Vista\en-US. Then, I made a copy of the Paint shortcut in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories, renamed it to 'Paint Vista' and pointed it to C:\Program Files\Paint Vista\mspaint.exe.
1. Make a directory called C:\Program Files\Paint Vista.
2. Make a directory called C:\Program Files\Paint Vista\en-US.
3. Copy mspaint.exe from C:\Windows\System32\ in Windows Vista to C:\Program Files\Paint Vista\ in Windows 7.
4. Copy mspaint.exe.mui from C:\Windows\System32\en-US in Windows Vista to C:\Program Files\Paint Vista\en-US\ in Windows 7.
5. Go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories.
6. Make a copy of Paint.lnk in this same directory and call it 'Paint Vista.lnk'.
7. Right-click > Properties > Shortcut > Target > "C:\Program Files\Paint Vista\mspaint.exe".
Why in the world does Microsoft put paint in the System32 directory? Who knows. It's definitely not a system file, so it belongs in 'Program Files' anyway.
Here is a link to many who are not happy with paints new version and the anwers to your questions on getting the old paint back.
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-7/windows-7-first-look-ms-paint/
Microsoft ain't listening to the people and you wonder if it is because there is an agender here to make things more difficult for operators and not easier. Spend more time fixing problems then doing constructive works.
Shame on you microsoft you are failing your people.
Wouldn't it be a relatively simple matter for the experts at Microsoft to create a standalone version of the Vista version of MS paint for use with Windows 7? Surely it would just be a few files that needed to be edited? Charge us (a small amount) for it if you really must or make a condition that we must give up the 7 version of paint (whoot) but please don't deprive us of one of the few awesome things from the old OS. Windows 7 is above and beyond Vista but the one area it really lags is paint as a lot of people can't use it for what they used to since it now lacks some of the more delicate features of the old version.
Me too. What happened to the spray can? This new paint is nice with the digital import but I really miss the spray can. I do some modern art with paint and I NEED THAT CAN/
