20 Feb

Missing Toolbars in Microsoft Paint

This article applies to Windows Vista, Windows XP and possibly earlier versions of Windows.

Problem

In Paint, you cannot see the toolbars and are unable to bring them back.

Cause

This can be caused by dragging the tool box too far off the screen to the point that it is unable to come back.

Solution

To reset the toolbars in Paint:

  1. Open a Command Prompt as an Administrator.
  2. Copy all the text in the box below:
    reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\General-Summary" /f
  3. Right click in the Command Prompt window and click Paste.
  4. Press Enter.
  5. Close the Command Prompt.

22 Responses to Missing Toolbars in Microsoft Paint

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    Anonymous February 9, 2011 at 07:28

    Thanks!!! This worked like a charm!

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    Anonymous May 20, 2011 at 19:41

    Worked!

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    Anonymous June 18, 2011 at 21:09

    Worked for me. Tx

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    terezi December 16, 2011 at 12:32

    Did not do the trick. Maybe I have a version of MSPaint too recent for this to apply? Hm.

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    mari December 20, 2011 at 03:29

    it worked. thanks

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    Anonymous January 30, 2012 at 23:38

    Thanks, it’s works

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    Anonomous February 3, 2012 at 14:08

    I Tried to paste the text and it didn’t work, but I found out by trial and error how to fix it without copying and pasting the text :
    Click the customize quick access toolbar button on the top of the screen and uncheck the minimize ribbon box.

    • avatar
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      Anonymous April 20, 2013 at 01:51

      “I Tried to paste the text and it didn’t work, but I found out by trial and error how to fix it without copying and pasting the text :
      Click the customize quick access toolbar button on the top of the screen and uncheck the minimize ribbon box.”

      THANKS! CMD prompt didn’t do it for me either. This worked perfect though,

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    Anonymous February 17, 2012 at 16:45

    Really good !

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    MsChris March 21, 2012 at 03:30

    You are simply marvelous!

  14. avatar
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    Clart May 29, 2012 at 16:35

    Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!

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    Anonymous July 19, 2012 at 14:26

    oh brilliant. thanks very much. i am very glad.

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    Laura August 20, 2012 at 22:36

    Great!!! =D

    My 4 years son “disappeared” the tool box! Now I have it back!

  17. avatar
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    Tammy October 3, 2012 at 23:48

    Thanks it worked perfectly!!!!

  18. avatar
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    Anonymous October 7, 2012 at 15:25

    uberhacker!

  19. avatar
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    Anonymous November 7, 2012 at 18:27

    Selecting [Window] [Reset Window Locations] also works.

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    duh November 14, 2012 at 19:16

    worked like a charm thanks

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