Windows 95 Uses Pbrush.exe for Backward Compatibility (148494)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q148494

SUMMARY

Windows 95 does not include Paintbrush (Pbrush.exe), the drawing tool included with Windows and Windows for Workgroups 3.1x.

Paintbrush has been replaced in Windows 95 with a drawing tool called Paint (Mspaint.exe). For backward compatibility, Windows 95 includes a file named Pbrush.exe. This file is placed in the Windows folder during Setup.

MORE INFORMATION

The Pbrush.exe file included with Windows 95 is a small program that starts Mspaint.exe and passes to it any command-line parameters. This allows 16-bit programs that use Pbrush.exe to run without modification in Windows 95. 32-bit programs should use Mspaint.exe instead of Pbrush.exe for future portability.

If you want to use the Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.1x Paintbrush program in Windows 95, you must expand it from your original Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.1x disks. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Rename the Pbrush.exe file in the Windows folder.
  2. Locate the Pbrush.ex_ file on your original Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.1x disks, and then insert that disk in the appropriate floppy disk drive.
  3. Type the following line at a command prompt

    expand -r <fdisk>:\pbrush.ex_ <hdisk>:\<windows>

    where <fdisk> is the floppy disk drive containing the disk you inserted in step 2, <hdisk> is the hard disk containing the Windows folder, and <windows> is the Windows folder.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/17/2000
Keywords:KB148494
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