How to Install Microsoft 3D Builder After Official Support Ends

Lisa Ernst · 03.04.2026 · Technology · 6 min

Bringing Back 3D Builder: A Guide to Manual Installation

When a familiar tool disappears, it often leaves a void. For many active in the world of 3D modeling and printing, the announcement that Microsoft 3D Builder would no longer be officially supported from July 2024 truly marked the end of an era. My own dive into 3D printing often began with this approachable software, making its direct unavailability from the Microsoft Store a noticeable change. While official download options vanished and the "Install" button disappeared from the store page, the good news is that for those willing to employ a few workarounds, 3D Builder still remains manually installable.

Source: Own illustration

Quick Summary

For those in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of how to manually install Microsoft 3D Builder:

• Why Manual Installation? Microsoft 3D Builder is no longer officially supported as of July 2024, and it is unavailable in the Microsoft Store.
• Get Files: Use third-party sites like store.rg-adguard.net to download the necessary .appx and .appxbundle files.
• Required Files: You will need three specific files: two dependency .appx files and one .appxbundle for 3D Builder itself.
• Installation Method: Double-click the dependency .appx files first, then the .appxbundle file.
• Alternative Method: Use PowerShell commands for a more robust installation, especially if you encounter issues.
• Important Note: This is a legacy installation; 3D Builder will not receive official updates and may have future functional limitations.

The End of Official Support

Microsoft 3D Builder, an application robust for viewing, creating, and editing 3D objects, reached its official deprecation point in July 2024, as confirmed by this GitHub repository. This means Microsoft no longer officially supports the application, and direct links for installation via the Microsoft Store are now gone. Users attempting to find it within the store will discover that the option to install the software directly has been removed. This move establishes 3D Builder as what is effectively a legacy software, meaning any continued use represents a conscious decision by the user, entirely outside of Microsoft’s official support channels.

Obtaining the Installation Files

To manually install 3D Builder, you first need its offline installation packages along with their necessary dependencies. These packages are not directly available from Microsoft anymore but can be sourced through third-party portals like store.rg-adguard.net. This site allows users to generate download links for Microsoft Store apps, including AppxBundles.

Source: lifewire.com

The rg-adguard.net website is a third-party portal that helps users generate download links for Microsoft Store apps, including the necessary AppxBundles for 3D Builder.

To retrieve the correct files, navigate to store.rg-adguard.net and paste the specific Microsoft Store link for 3D Builder into the text field: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3t6. After processing, the site will present a list of files. You will need to download three specific files:

• Microsoft.WindowsPreview.Kinect.8.1_2.0.1410.19000_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx
• Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00_12.0.21005.1_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Microsoft.3DBuilder_2015.209.2327.4143_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxbundle

These packages are absolutely essential for a successful manual installation of 3D Builder.

Manual Installation Steps

Once you have downloaded the three required files, the installation process involves two main stages: installing dependencies and then the main application.

Step 1: Install Dependency Packages

First, install the dependency packages. The Microsoft.WindowsPreview.Kinect.8.1_2.0.1410.19000_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx and Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00_12.0.21005.1_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx files are critical prerequisites. You can install these by simply double-clicking on each .appx file. Windows will prompt you through a brief installation process for each.

Step 2: Install the 3D Builder Application

After the dependencies are installed, execute the main application bundle. Double-click the .AppxBundle file, which is Microsoft.3DBuilder_2015.209.2327.4143_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.appxbundle. This action will initiate the installation of 3D Builder itself.

Alternative: Using PowerShell for Installation

An alternative, more robust method for installation involves using PowerShell commands after placing all downloaded files into a single folder, for example, C:\3d_builder.

Source: thomasmaurer.ch

This PowerShell window shows commands being executed, providing a more robust installation method if the simple double-click approach encounters issues.

Open PowerShell as an administrator and execute the following commands in sequence:

$filepath = "C:\3d_builder\"\nGet-Childitem $filePath -filter *.appx| %{Add-AppxPackage -Path $_.FullName}\nGet-Childitem $filePath -filter *.appxbundle | %{Add-AppxPackage -Path $_.FullName}

This method can be particularly useful if you encounter any issues with the simpler double-click installation method.

Potential Issues and Considerations for 3D Builder

When attempting a reinstallation, particularly if 3D Builder was previously installed and then uninstalled, users might encounter issues if residual files or registry entries remain on the system, as discussed by Winhelponline.com. To avoid such problems, it is advisable to ensure a complete removal of 3D Builder if it was previously present. Specific guides exist on how to thoroughly remove the application from Windows 10, also explained on Winhelponline.com.

It is important to remember that this manual installation process circumvents the official Microsoft Store. While it makes the software accessible, it also means that 3D Builder is operating in a legacy mode. There will be no further official updates, and future operating system changes could inevitably impact its functionality. The manual installation may introduce future functional limitations, and using 3D Builder now is a conscious decision to use unsupported legacy software. Resources like Winhelponline.com, founded by Ramesh Srinivasan, a ten-time Microsoft MVP in Windows Desktop Experience, have been instrumental in documenting these workarounds for the community.

❝ Winhelponline.com, founded by Ramesh Srinivasan, a ten-time Microsoft MVP in Windows Desktop Experience, has been instrumental in documenting these workarounds. ❞

Ramesh Srinivasan

Microsoft MVP

Source: bigthink.com

Ramesh Srinivasan, a ten-time Microsoft MVP, founded Winhelponline.com, which has been critical in documenting these workarounds for installing 3D Builder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Microsoft 3D Builder, though no longer officially supported, can still serve its purpose for those needing to view, create, or edit 3D objects. By taking the time to manually download and install its packages and dependencies, users can continue to utilize this capable, if now legacy, software. While the convenience of a direct store download is gone, the community’s efforts have ensured that 3D Builder remains a usable option for those willing to follow a few extra steps.