How to Remove the Paint Program From a Computer
Microsoft Paint comes bundled with all versions of the Windows operating system. This default program allows you to edit image files in popular formats, such as JPEG and BMP. This is a limited editing program and is often replaced with more robust programs, such as Paint Shop Pro. Paint is a protected program stored in the Windows directory, making it difficult to remove and often ignored because it is quite small, requiring about 500 KB, including the Help file.
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Instructions
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Double left click "My Computer" icon that is located in the Start Menu (lower left hand corner). From this window, you will be able to type in a folder location.
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Type "C:\Windows\System32" into the navigation bar at the top of the window. This will show you to a closed Windows folder.
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Open the "Windows" folder located at C:\Windows\System32. You will be asked if you want to view the contents because these are protected files that normally should not be deleted or modified. Select "Yes" to view the contents of the System32 folder.
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Right click the file labeled "MS Paint" to bring up a drop-down menu with several options. Select "Delete" command near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
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Open the folder located at C:\Windows\Help. This folder contains special Help files related to Paint.
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Repeat the process for the two Help files labeled "MS Paint." This will delete the reference file and the help file, associated with Paint.
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Tips & Warnings
You can perform a search for Paint in your search dialog box to quickly locate all the Paint files. Drag them from the search window directly into the trash can to delete them all at once.
Be careful deleting files in the System32 or Windows folders. These files are often interdependent on each other. Destroying one could have unforeseen consequences with other applications.
