What happened?
Microsoft removed every built-in 3D viewing tool from Windows — one by one.
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July 20243D Builder removed from Microsoft StoreThe mesh editing and 3D printing prep tool disappeared without warning. Users who relied on it for STL viewing and basic mesh repair lost access overnight.
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November 2024Paint 3D removed from Microsoft StoreThe creative 3D tool — used by teachers, students, and hobbyists to create and view 3D models — was deprecated in August and removed in November.
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February 20263D Viewer deprecatedMicrosoft announced 3D Viewer will be removed from the Microsoft Store. The last built-in way to open 3D files on Windows is disappearing.
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July 1, 20263D Viewer removed from Microsoft StoreThe final removal date. After this, Windows has zero built-in 3D file viewing capability. Microsoft suggests "Babylon.js Sandbox" — an unfinished developer tool with no UI.
How GeometryViewer compares
Everything the old Windows apps did — and more — for free, in your browser.
| Feature | Windows 3D Viewer | 3D Builder | Paint 3D | GeometryViewer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available in 2026 | Removed July 2026 | Removed 2024 | Removed 2024 | Yes — free forever |
| STL support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OBJ support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GLTF / GLB support | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 3MF support | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| AR viewing | No | No | No | iPhone + Android |
| Material presets | Basic | Basic | Stickers only | 24 presets (PLA, metals, wood) |
| HDRI environments | No | No | No | 20 environments |
| Shareable link | No | No | No | Yes — one-click share |
| GIF / MP4 export | No | No | No | 360° GIF + MP4 |
| Works on Mac / Linux | Windows only | Windows only | Windows only | Any device, any OS |
| Install required | Microsoft Store | Microsoft Store | Microsoft Store | No install — browser |
| Price | Free (while it lasted) | Free (while it lasted) | Free (while it lasted) | Free forever |
What you get with GeometryViewer
Not just a replacement — an upgrade.
Drag and drop
Drop any STL, OBJ, GLTF, GLB, or 3MF file onto the page. It opens in 3D instantly. No file picker dance.
AR in your room
Tap "View in AR" on your phone. The model appears in your room at real-world scale. Check print size before wasting filament.
24 material presets
See your model in chrome, gold, PLA plastic, wood grain, or carbon fiber. Layer line simulation shows exactly what your 3D print will look like.
Share with anyone
Get a link. Send it to your client, post it on Reddit, paste it in Notion. They see your model in full 3D — no install on their end either.
Embed on websites
Two lines of code. Your website gets an interactive 3D viewer with AR. Works on Shopify, WordPress, anywhere.
Private by design
Your files never leave your computer. All rendering happens in your browser. No upload to any server. No account. No tracking cookies.
How to switch from Windows 3D Viewer
It takes about 5 seconds. Seriously.
Open geometryviewer.com
In Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or any browser. Works on Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Chromebook — doesn't matter.
Drop your file
Drag any STL, OBJ, GLTF, GLB, or 3MF file onto the page. It opens in 3D instantly. Or click "Open file" to browse.
That's it
Rotate with your mouse, zoom with the scroll wheel. Switch materials, change environments, export a GIF, share a link, or view in AR on your phone. Everything the old Windows apps did — and a lot they didn't.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from Windows users switching to GeometryViewer.
Why did Microsoft remove 3D Viewer from Windows?
Microsoft deprecated 3D Viewer in February 2026 as part of winding down the "Creators Update" era apps from 2017. 3D Builder was removed in July 2024, Paint 3D in November 2024, and 3D Viewer will be removed from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2026. Microsoft hasn't released a built-in replacement.
What does Microsoft suggest instead?
Microsoft's deprecation page points to "Babylon.js Sandbox" — a developer-oriented tool that requires understanding of 3D file formats and has no material presets, no AR, and no sharing features. It's not a practical replacement for most users.
Can I still view STL files on Windows 11?
Yes. Open geometryviewer.com in any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), drag and drop your STL file, and it opens instantly in 3D. No install, no account, no upload to a server. Works on Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
Is GeometryViewer really free?
Completely free. No trial, no premium tier, no watermarks, no account required. GeometryViewer is built by PrintShaper as a free tool for the 3D community.
What file formats does it support?
STL (binary and ASCII), OBJ, GLTF, GLB, and 3MF. These cover 3D printing, game development, CAD export, and 3D scanning workflows. Format is auto-detected — just drop the file.
Do my files get uploaded somewhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Your files never leave your computer unless you explicitly choose to share them. There's no server-side processing, no analytics cookies, and no account tracking.
Can I view models in AR on my phone?
Yes. On iPhone, tap "View in AR" and the model appears in your room via Apple Quick Look — at real-world scale. On Android, it uses WebXR. No app download needed on either platform. Great for checking 3D print size before committing to a print.
How is this better than the old Windows 3D Viewer?
GeometryViewer works on any device (not just Windows), supports more formats (including 3MF), has AR, 24 material presets with 3D print layer line simulation, 20 HDRI environments, shareable links, GIF/MP4 export, and can be embedded on websites. The old 3D Viewer had none of these.