I'm only interested in the default operation of MSPaint.
It's used in beginning computer classes by people who don't know how to do things like save a file.
e.g. Go to Start, Programs, Accessories, Paint.
You have a basic drawing program. Notice the things along the sides...
(Several minutes spent doodling)
Now we're going to save the file.
(Several minutes spent refreshing discussion of files and folders, several more on the Save Dialog)
Make a new folder
Save your file.
A few minutes later, the folder that is created is deleted, to explain the idea of the recycle bin.
...except that it isn't working that way. On the machines in question, mspaint is staying open without being attached to a Window, and is holding the New Folder (not the file!) open as well. Killing that instance of mspaint with task manager sometimes allows the folder to be deleted, but we can't show people who have trouble with the mouse how to use task manager. Sometimes, explorer has to be killed as well. Even most of the other instructors get all nervous when I mention that (even though it's easy to bring back).
I literally spent all day trying to figure out a way to fix that problem.
Oddly, after the daily Windows Updates ran, the problem DID seem to go away, but I was still able to find enough others to determine that running Windows Update doesn't fix the problem.
Nor does uninstalling or reinstalling paint.
Nor running the 98 version.
Nor deleting Paint's registry entries.
Nor running regclean.
Nor sfc
In fact, it's still a mystery.