(Microsoft Illustration)

On Sunday, Microsoft put the apparently beloved drawing program Paint on a list of features to be removed or deprecated in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, spawning odes to the 32-year-old program from media outlets around the world, including GeekWire.

But, according to Microsoft, it was all a big misunderstanding. In response to the attention the potential removal of Paint received, the company clarified that the popular feature will live on in the Windows Store.

“MS Paint is here to stay, it will just have a new home soon, in the Windows Store where it will be available for free,” wrote Megan Saunders, the General Manager of Windows Experiences and the company’s 3D for Everyone Initiative, in a blog post on Monday night.

Paint is checked as “deprecated,” on the list released Sunday, meaning it is “not in active development and might be removed in future releases.” Paint is still on that list as of Monday evening. Saunders also noted that many of the features that people love in Paint are available in Paint 3D, functionally integrating the old program into the new one.

Here is the full blog post:

Today, we’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support and nostalgia around MS Paint. If there’s anything we learned, it’s that after 32 years, MS Paint has a lot of fans. It’s been amazing to see so much love for our trusty old app. Amidst today’s commentary around MS Paint we wanted to take this opportunity to set the record straight, clear up some confusion and share some good news:

MS Paint is here to stay, it will just have a new home soon, in the Windows Store where it will be available for free.

Paint 3D – the new app for creativity, also available for free with the Windows 10 Creators Update, will continue to get new feature updates. In addition to the new 3D capabilities, many of the MS Paint features people know and love like photo editing, line and curve tools, and 2D creation are in Paint 3D.

So, thanks for all the MS Paint love, keep the feedback coming via the Paint 3D app, and keep creating!

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.