The Windows 10 Fall Creators update is only a few months away and anticipation is high for the next round of new features.
But while the update will no doubt be well-received, it seems Microsoft has plans to kill off a number of programs that many a Windows user will consider standard inclusions.
Most notably, the beloved MS Paint app could be axed, as it appears in a list released by Redmond detailing the features set to be removed or “deprecated” in the upcoming update.
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The term “deprecated” is important here, as it applies to Paint and doesn’t necessarily mean the feature will definitely be removed come September, when the Fall Creators update arrives.
Rather, it means Paint, and any other features listed as “deprecated” are “not in active development and might be removed in future releases”.
Still, it’s a worrying development for anyone who spent their formative years creating crude masterpieces during IT class at school.
What’s more, on a practical level, many users will likely miss the ability to quickly edit and resize photos without having to open up Photoshop or some equivalent.
Also included in the list is Outlook Express, which has been marked for full-on removal, and Screen saver functionality in Themes.
Screen savers will eventually be removed from the Control Panel and Group Policy support, too, with Reading List also set for removal before a likely replacement arrives.
The possible removal of Paint isn’t entirely surprising, as Microsoft has long been touting its upcoming new version of the program, which allows for new features such as 3D modelling.
Should this spell the end for the program, however, it would tie up an impressive 32-year run, as Paint has been included in every version of Windows since its creation, prior to this point.
At this point, the list isn’t final, and we’re expecting somewhat of a backlash before the update actually arrives, so there could be hope for Paint yet.
The Fall Creators Update is expected to introduce a range of new features such as the Cortana functionality shown off in the above video, which will enable users to continue their work on a number of different devices.
Let us know what you think of Paint’s possible demise in the comments.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
