Microsoft 3D Builder has been removed from the Windows app store once again, and while the page still exists, the download button doesn’t work. Originally pre-installed on the early Windows 10 operating systems, this valuable 3D printing tool is no longer included in newer releases. However, there’s still a reliable way to get it running on any modern Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine.
Microsoft 3D Builder is free 3D modeling and printing software that allows users to create, modify and prepare 3D files. Although it has been dropped from the store and no longer receives updates, it remains one of the most user-friendly tools available for Windows users.
After years of 3D printing and trying dozens of different applications, I still consider 3D Builder the best choice for specific tasks. The split tool alone is worth the installation – perfect for breaking large objects into smaller printable parts, and far easier to use than most CAD packages. Here’s a few other reasons to consider using it:
Before starting the installation, ensure your system meets these requirements:
For convenience sake, I’ve packaged all of the necessary files together. This download includes the components we need for installation, pre-organized to keep things nice and simple.
Download 3D Builder Complete Package
If you prefer to download these installers directly from the Microsoft servers:
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3t6Microsoft.WindowsPreview.Kinect.8.1_2.0.1410.19000_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxMicrosoft.VCLibs.120.00_12.0.21005.1_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxMicrosoft.3DBuilder_2015.209.2327.4143_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxbundleWith these packages copied to your Windows PC, we’ll go ahead and install them in the same order. Navigate to the downloads folder, or wherever these files are located and follow this sequence:
Though Microsoft has dropped 3D Builder from the app store, this installation method provides full access to this fantastic tool. While the process requires a few extra steps, the result is a fully functional version of one of the best free 3D modeling tools available for Windows.
Last Updated: January 2025
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Saved and downloaded for the future. Thanks for doing this! I'll be watching this article for any future changes.
I installed the app and it started automatically. But 3D Builder cannot be found on the desktop. Where is the exe file?
Best regards Harry
Hi Harry,
Mine is installed in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. If you're having trouble locating it, open the Task Manager (ctrl + r, type in 'taskmgr') and find the 3D Builder process in the list. Right click it and go to properties to see the installation path.
-Brett
Please add This back to the Microsoft store and continue to develop it and offer it to us. There are so many uses for this product. I am actually surprised that you removed it. You have to put it back and popularize it more. This was a very unknown application that most users had no idea it was available. This is very unfair to users and to your development team who obviously put lots of work and effort in to this.
3D Builder is very useful for 3d printing - repairing imported models, and very easy to learn for creating your own models.
For modelling complex shapes its only major fault is it tends to add random vertices when merging parts together. The problem for FDM printing is when the model won't sit flat on the printer bed.
So instead I export my ungrouped assembly of parts as an .obj from 3DBuilder into MeshLab, a free open-source 3D app to do the merge: Filters -> mesh layer -> flatten visible layers. Also useful is Filters -> cleaning and repairing -> merge close vertices.
Then I re-import the merged .obj back into 3DBuilder allowing it first to repair the merged model, then save it as .stl
It's funny to me... Microsoft bought a very powerful 3D package but dropped it for this. Truespace was a powerhouse, 3D builder can't do anything compared to it. If it wasn't for the file conversion, I would stick to Truespace to do it all...
In any case, Thank you very much for this!
Thanks a lot! You saved me lots of time energy and money!
Wow it downloaded. Then I went in the zip folder, selected all 3 and clicked open. Then one by one they installed. Thank you so much
Hi Brandon,
You're most welcome. I'm glad it helped!
Thank you so much for this, I was going to re-install Windows 10 on an older PC and try to just copy it over but this was so effortless and pain free.
Hi Richard,
You're welcome! No idea why Microsoft removed it in the first place, but glad I was able to spare you the hassle.
This is not the original 3d builder that you can add shapes and edit stuff.
This only opens a library and let you pay for prints. :)
Never mind! I just did the same but with the older version in that repository and worked Thanks
Thank You, Thank you, Thank you so much! I'm a bit older and trying to avoid the steep learning curve that comes with other software. Now I can enjoy this with Windows 11. You made me a happy man. Greetngs ftom the Netherlands!