Forcing users to get apps from the Windows Store could backfire spectacularly.
This is a very tricky game for Microsoft to play. Paint is still being deprecated, but hey, don’t worry! Paint will live on in the Windows Store. Microsoft handled the situation well, save for the more than 24 hours where it completely lost control of the narrative. And then of course, there are many who, like myself, still rely on Paint to be productive. The public’s reaction was naturally nostalgic - most people who grew up with computers have likely used Paint at one point or another. Still, the backlash this week was fascinating. Microsoft is doing everything to bring apps over, from porting its own software like Office to convincing big names like Apple and Spotify that they should do the same.
The thinking is obvious: “Instead of just killing the beloved app that has been around for 32 years, let’s make Windows Store its savior.”Īnyone who follows the Windows 10 team closely shouldn’t be surprised - the Windows Store is its big focus as of late. I understand Microsoft’s desire to focus resources on Paint 3D and its solution to deprecate, but not remove, Paint.
