A new collapsible toolbar is the latest tweak to an app caught between its legacy roots and a modern, AI-heavy future.
Microsoft Paint is about to get an update that tweaks the interface of the popular app. Microsoft is adding the option to collapse the toolbar within Paint.
The new feature is in testing among Windows Insiders. With it, you can choose to hide the toolbar automatically. You can also set Paint to always show the toolbar, which is the default view of the app.
While Windows 11 Build 26220.7523 is for Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels, the update to Paint is for Dev and Canary Insiders. Since there's some overlap, the change to Paint is in the blog post for the build:
"With Paint version 11.2511.281.0, we’re introducing the collapse toolbar feature in Paint. To get started, open Paint and click the chevron icon at the bottom-right of the ribbon to enable Automatically hide toolbar. Once the toolbar collapses, use the Show toolbar button to bring it back and switch tools. To hide it again, click the Hide toolbar button or anywhere outside the toolbar. When you’re ready to return to the default view, click the chevron icon and select Always show toolbar."
Some would call this an overdue change. Others would prefer Microsoft not tweak its classic apps.
What to do with Paint and other old apps
Windows 11's File Explorer now includes a shortcut to remove a subject from an image using Paint.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
When it comes to classic apps like Paint, it's easy to upset users. There has always been a battle between balancing legacy support and older apps with new features and modernized interfaces.
Paint 3D came during a different time when Microsoft and other tech giants were obsessed with virtual reality and mixed reality rather than AI. While the "metaverse" isn't a hot topic anymore, Paint 3D failed for other reasons.
Many prefer the simple and familiar interface of the classic Paint app. Fan outcry prevented Microsoft from deprecating classic Paint and instead caused the company to sunset Paint 3D.
But even changes to classic Paint have drawn criticism. Cocreator in Paint, which can generate images using AI, makes more sense than adding Copilot to Notepad. But the addition still saw mixed reactions.
This may be a situation in which Microsoft cannot please everyone. Entirely leaving classic apps as they were means apps remain outdated. But changing Paint can cause pushback.
Microsoft appears to have settled on making meaningful changes to Paint while keeping the core focus of the app.
What should Microsoft do with classic apps, such as Paint? Is it better to leave these apps alone or modernize them? Let us know in the comments!
You can post now and register later.
If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.
3175x175(CURRENT).thumb.jpg.b05acc060982b36f5891ba728e6d953c.jpg)
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.