NOTE: If you get "Unable to create new document" error while starting MS Paint after using this tutorial, make sure you have also replaced mspaint.exe.mui file as mentioned in steps 5 and 6. If you are using 64-bit Windows edition, make sure you read Step 7 carefully.
Recently we told you how can you get old Wordpad working in Windows 7:
How to Get the Good Old Wordpad (without Ribbons) Working in Windows 7
Now its turn of MS Paint.
Get Old Paint working in Windows 7:
If you have Windows Vista installed along with Windows 7, you can directly run the "mspaint.exe" file present in "%windir%\System32" folder and it'll run the old Paint without any problem.
You can also create a shortcut of this file at Desktop or in Start Menu so that you can easily access it.
But if you want to completely replace the new Paint in Windows 7 with the old Paint, then you can follow these simple and easy to use steps:
1. Open following folder:
%windir%\System32
You can open it by typing the path in RUN dialog box and press Enter.
2. Now take ownership of "mspaint.exe" file. To take ownership, please follow this tutorial:
Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista and 7
3. Now rename the "mspaint.exe" file to "mspaint_backup.exe".
4. Now copy "mspaint.exe" file from Vista and paste it in "%windir%\System32" folder.
5. Now go to "en-US" folder and take ownership of "mspaint.exe.mui" file. After taking ownership rename the file to "mspaint_backup.exe.mui".
6. Now copy "mspaint.exe.mui" file from Vista and paste in "%windir%\System32\en-US" folder.
7. If you are using 64-bit Windows edition, you'll also need to replace both mspaint.exe and mspaint.exe.mui files present in "Windows\sysWOW64" and "Windows\sysWOW64\en-US" folders using the same steps as mentioned above.
That's it. Now Windows 7 will start using the old Paint.
If you want to use the new Paint later, simply delete the new "mspaint.exe" and "mspaint.exe.mui" files and then rename the backup files to their default names.
NOTE: If you don't have Windows Vista installed, you can download the required "mspaint.exe" and "mspaint.exe.mui" files from following link:
PS: If you face problems while following this tutorial, check out following video showing complete method live in action:
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Windows 7
Alyssa
I did everything it asked, I renamed then added the .exe files in sys32, then the same for the .exe.mui files in en-US...
I thought maybe it was to do with the 64 bit thing, but when i put that location into "run" it doesnt come up like the other place did. Seems my computer always created problems like this that shouldnt be problems. -_-
Eric
For some reason, I can't take ownership of the mspaint.exe file.
The option doesn't show up.
Also, the mspaint file doesn't have the exe extension and I have no idea why. It doesn't even have an extension.
VG
^^ You'll need to add "Take ownership" option first:
http://www.askvg.com/add-take-ownership-option-in-file-folder-context-menu-in-windows-vista/
Regarding file extension, you'll need to enable them using Folder Options:
http://www.askvg.com/add-show-hide-file-extensions-option-in-desktop-and-explorer-context-menu-under-windows-xp-vista-and-7/
Eric
Actually, I did add the Take Ownership option.
The option is there for most files, yet for some reason it doesn't show up for the mspaint file.
VG
^^ You can take the ownership manually:
http://www.askvg.com/guide-how-to-take-ownership-permission-of-a-file-or-folder-manually-in-windows/
Ivy
Thank you so much for this! I was so afraid it wouldn't work, but it did.
sebaz_ri
This works in Windows 8?
VG
^^ Yes. It'll also work in Windows 8.