Troubleshooting MS Paint Issues on Windows: Effective Fixes

2024/02/20

Key Notes

Use Clean Boot to eliminate software conflicts.
Remove corrupted SID entries to reset Paint settings.
PowerShell offers advanced options for uninstalling and reinstalling apps.

Mastering the Fixes for MS Paint Not Working on Windows

Having trouble with Microsoft Paint not opening or acting up can be frustrating. This guide offers practical solutions to help restore your graphics editing experience efficiently.

Step 1: Perform a Clean Boot on Your Windows PC

If Microsoft Paint fails to launch, a conflicting application might be running in the background. To eliminate such conflicts, perform the following:

Step 1: Access System Configuration

Open System Configuration via Windows Search by running it as an administrator, or you can execute msconfig.exe using the Win + R keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Hide Microsoft Services

Once in the Services tab, check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services. This displays only non-Microsoft services. Click Disable all, and then hit Apply and OK.

Pro Tip: Restart your PC after performing a clean boot to see if the issue is resolved.

Step 2: Remove Corrupted SID Entries for MS Paint

Corrupt Security Identifier (SID) entries can hinder Paint’s performance. To refresh these, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Windows Registry Editor

Launch Registry Editor by typing regedit.exe in the Run dialog ( Win + R ), and navigate to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore to find the Paint SID entries.

Step 2: Delete the Corrupted SID

Locate the appropriate SID starting with “S-1-S”, right-click it, and select Delete. After that, you can uninstall and reinstall MS Paint to ensure it’s refreshed.

Step 3: Uninstall and Reinstall MS Paint via PowerShell

If reinstalling MS Paint using common methods has failed, employing PowerShell might succeed. Follow these methods:

Method 1: Using Get-AppxPackage

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Search for PowerShell in Windows and run it as an administrator. Input the following command to uninstall Paint:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft. Paint | Remove-AppxPackage

Next, reinstall using the command:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft. Paint | Add-AppxPackage

Method 2: Utilizing Get-WmiObject

Step 1: Populate Installed Applications

In PowerShell, enter the following command to list installed applications:

Get-WmiObject -Query "SELECT * FROM Win32_Product"

Step 2: Uninstall Microsoft Paint

Once you find the correct application name for MS Paint, use the following command to uninstall:

msiexec /x {ApplicationID}

Then, you can reinstall using the previous command.

Step 4: Reinitialize the Paint Application

If issues persist, you might want to reinitialize Paint:

Step 1: Execute the Reinitialize Command

In PowerShell (as administrator), type the command:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft. Paint | Reset-AppxPackage

Watch as the application resets; this could resolve opening issues.

Step 5: Clear the Microsoft Store Cache

To ensure MS Paint functions smoothly, clear out the Microsoft Store cache:

Step 1: Clear Cache

Open Run command using Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and hit Enter. This process resets the Microsoft Store and removes temporary files.

Step 6: Disable Local Group Policies Affecting Paint

Group policies might obstruct Paint from functioning properly. Verify and modify these settings:

Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor

Access this editor by entering gpedit.msc in the Run command dialog.

Step 2: Adjust the Policy Settings

Navigate to Local Computer Policy ➔ User Configuration ➔ Administrative Templates ➔ System. Double-click on Don’t run specified Windows applications.

Change any applicable settings to Disabled and apply the changes.

Step 7: Remove Recently Installed Fonts

Newly installed fonts may disrupt MS Paint’s operations. To remove any suspect fonts:

Step 1: Navigate to Font Settings

Open Windows Settings using Win + I, go to Personalization ➔ Fonts, and uninstall any fonts added recently that may be causing issues.

Summary

In this guide, we’ve explored step-by-step solutions for fixing MS Paint issues on Windows systems. From performing a clean boot to advanced reinstallation techniques via PowerShell, these methods should help restore functionality to your MS Paint application.

Conclusion

While technical issues such as MS Paint not working can be disheartening, following these troubleshooting steps can lead to a swift resolution. Always remember to keep your Windows updates current to prevent future difficulties.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why won’t MS Paint open on my Windows 10/11 device?

Common reasons include software conflicts, corrupted application data, or group policy restrictions. Refer to this guide for detailed troubleshooting steps.

Can I reinstall MS Paint without losing my drawings?

Yes, as long as you save your drawings to another location before uninstalling. They can be safely reloaded after reinstallation.