Software is a funny thing. You get used to using something and you never move on. Such is the case with me and Windows Draw by Micrografx. Somehow I started using it in the late 1990s, probably 1996, and have used it ever since as my drawing program. I've look at newer programs like Corel Draw, but they are tougher to use. Windows Draw is a simple program, easy to use and does what I need. The problem is it's no longer made. What I am saying? Windows Draw isn't even supported anymore.

Micrografx was bought by Sierra, which then sold the program to Corel. Corel has long since ceased any development of the program and now Micrografx Windows Draw is abandonware. Luckily, I still have my original CDs dated 1996 and they install fine under Windows XP.

Today I had a mini-panic episode. When Doom 3 came out I bought a new PC and of course I didn't move all the programs over. Today I needed to create a graphic, but I couldn't find the Windows Draw CDs. I hunted all over and an hour after the search began my wife found them. Gotta love the wife. During my search I looked on the internet to see if I could find someone who had the originals for download. No one had them, but I did come across some great resources.

The first site I came across was a forum post talking about support issues with Windows Draw. They detailed how to install, where to find patches and more. There are three patches for Windows Draw that are important. The first is fix60.exe, which allows people who experience a time limit bug to get around it. The second is wd6updat.exe, which addresses some minor bug issues. The last one is wdrawdll.exe, which replaces one of the core DLLs. The ironic thing is that these are located on a Sierra FTP site.

The second site I came across was on About.com and is titled Windows Draw User Resources. The author has put together a list of places to find help and to discuss the program. She also lets you know about other draw programs that might take the place of Windows Draw. I tried a few and they don't live up to the ease of use.

If you check on eBay you can find a few copies of the program for sale, but don't count on any official support. I've since made triplicate copies of the CD in case I lose them again.