To install Paint 3D on Windows 11, open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and check if Paint 3D appears in your previously owned apps for reinstallation. If it does not appear there, you can install it through the Windows Package Manager (winget) command line or by sideloading the MSIX package from a trusted archive source.

Microsoft removed Paint 3D from the Microsoft Store in November 2024 and discontinued active development. New users who never installed Paint 3D before that date may not find it in the Store at all. Users who previously downloaded it retain access through their Microsoft account’s app library.

Method 1: Reinstall from Microsoft Store Library

If your Microsoft account previously owned Paint 3D, the app remains available in your Store library even after its public listing was removed.

  1. Open the Microsoft Store app from the Start menu or taskbar.
  2. Click the Library icon in the bottom-left corner of the Store window.
  3. Scroll through your previously installed apps or use the search bar within the Library view.
  4. If Paint 3D appears, click the Install or Download button next to it.
  5. Wait for the download and installation to complete. The app will appear in your Start menu.

This method only works if your current Microsoft account was used to install Paint 3D at some point before November 2024. Signing in with a different account will not show Paint 3D in the library.

Method 2: Install via Winget (Windows Package Manager)

The winget command-line tool can sometimes locate and install apps that are no longer prominently listed in the Store GUI. This method requires Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, which includes winget by default.

  1. Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin) to open an elevated PowerShell or Command Prompt window.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    winget install "Microsoft.Paint3D"
  3. If winget finds the package, it will download and install Paint 3D automatically.
  4. If the command returns “No package found,” the package has been fully delisted from the winget repository. Try Method 3 instead.

Winget pulls from the Microsoft Store backend and the winget community repository. Availability depends on whether Microsoft has removed the package identifier from both sources.

Method 3: Sideload the MSIX Package

Sideloading lets you install a Paint 3D package file (.msix or .msixbundle) obtained from a trusted third-party archive. This is the most reliable method when the Store and winget options are unavailable.

  1. Enable sideloading: Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings and confirm that “Sideload apps” or “Developer mode” is toggled on. Windows 11 enables sideloading by default on most editions.
  2. Download the Paint 3D MSIX package from a trusted source. Sites like Paints3D.net or archived software repositories may host verified copies.
  3. Verify the file: Right-click the downloaded .msix or .msixbundle file, select Properties > Digital Signatures, and confirm the signer is “Microsoft Corporation.”
  4. Double-click the .msix file. The App Installer window opens showing the app name, publisher, and version.
  5. Click Install. Windows installs Paint 3D and adds it to the Start menu.

Only install MSIX files that carry a valid Microsoft digital signature. Unsigned or third-party-signed packages may contain modified code and should be avoided.

What to Do If None of These Methods Work

If all three installation methods fail, Paint 3D may be fully unavailable for your Windows 11 version. In this situation, consider these options:

  • Check for a Windows 10 machine: Paint 3D came preinstalled on Windows 10 versions 1703 through 21H2. If you have access to a Windows 10 PC, you may be able to extract the app package and transfer it.
  • Use a virtual machine: Run a Windows 10 virtual machine through Hyper-V (built into Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise) to access Paint 3D in its native environment.
  • Try alternatives: Troubleshooting common issues may resolve installation blockers. If Paint 3D remains inaccessible, 3D modeling tools like Blender (free, open source), Tinkercad (browser-based, free), and SketchUp (freemium) offer more capable 3D creation features.

Verifying a Successful Installation

After installing Paint 3D through any method, confirm it works correctly:

  1. Open the Start menu and type Paint 3D. The app should appear in search results.
  2. Launch the app. It should open to the Welcome Screen with options for New, Open, and Paste.
  3. Click New to create a blank project. Verify that the 3D Objects, Stickers, and Effects menus are accessible in the top toolbar.
  4. If the app crashes on launch, check Windows Update for pending OS updates that may resolve compatibility issues.

For help with restoring Paint 3D after a Windows update removed it, see the dedicated recovery guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paint 3D still available in the Microsoft Store?

Microsoft removed Paint 3D from the public Microsoft Store listing in November 2024. Users who previously installed it may still find it in their Store Library under owned apps. New users who never downloaded it before that date will not see it in Store search results.

Does Paint 3D work on Windows 11 ARM (Snapdragon) devices?

Paint 3D was built as an x86/x64 application. On Windows 11 ARM devices with Snapdragon processors, it runs through Microsoft’s x86 emulation layer. Performance may be slightly reduced compared to native ARM apps, but core functionality remains intact.

Will Microsoft bring Paint 3D back or release an updated version?

As of 2024, Microsoft has not announced plans to revive Paint 3D or release a successor with similar 3D creation features. Microsoft has instead focused development on the updated Paint app (with AI-powered features like Cocreator) and the 3D Viewer app for viewing existing 3D models.