Microsoft Infuses AI into Windows Staples: Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool Get Generative Upgrades
13 Sources
[1]
In 3.5 years, Notepad.exe has gone from "barely maintained" to "it writes for you
By late 2021, major updates for Windows' built-in Notepad text editor had been so rare for so long that a gentle redesign and a handful of new settings were rated as a major update. New updates have become much more common since then, but like the rest of Windows, recent additions have been
[2]
Note, Paint and Snip With AI: Microsoft Adds New Features, but Not for Everyone
Three longtime staples of the Microsoft ecosystem are getting artificial intelligence enhancements, but they won't necessarily be available to all. With the updates, Notepad users will be able to use generative AI to write text; Paint users now can create AI-generated stickers; and Snippet users
[3]
Microsoft Notepad can now write for you using generative AI
Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who's been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. Microsoft is now testing a new feature in Notepad that can generate text for you using AI. It's part of a Windows 11 update being
[4]
Microsoft Adds Gen AI Features to Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad
Microsoft has added a slew of new generative AI features to Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad, courtesy of Microsoft Copilot. But unfortunately for many, some of these new features are only available for those with Copilot-compatible Windows machines. If you're still using Microsoft Paint, you can
[5]
Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad
Microsoft has continued to shovel AI into its built-in Windows inbox apps, and now it's rolling out a Notepad update that will use Copilot to write text for you. The updates come in the same week that Redmond released a snappy, lightweight command line editor that is the antithesis of what the
[6]
Windows 11 Notepad gets AI-powered text writing capabilities
Microsoft is testing a new AI-powered text generation feature in Notepad that can let Windows Insiders create content based on custom prompts. Dubbed "Write," the new Notepad feature is rolling out to Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels, who have upgraded to Notepad version
[7]
Microsoft Notepad's latest AI trick churns out custom text for you
AI upgrades are coming to Microsoft's Paint and Snipping Tool, too. Writer's block is no match for Microsoft's latest AI infusion for its Notepad app. The long-neglected Notepad now has the ability to write custom content based on any prompt you feed it, so long as you have Microsoft 365 or a
[8]
Microsoft is now testing AI-generated text in Windows Notepad
Both Paint and Snipping Tool are also getting new AI features of their own. As of yesterday, Microsoft has begun rolling out a new update to Windows 11 Insiders on the Dev and Canary Channels. This update brings new AI features to Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool. Notepad now has the ability
[9]
Microsoft Notepad gets an AI makeover
The update also enhances Paint with a sticker generator and the Snipping Tool with smart cropping Microsoft Notepad is about as basic a tool as you'll find on Windows. Just a basic blank slate for writing. But, like everything else these days, Microsoft has decided to infuse Notepad with some
[10]
Microsoft gives a trio of Windows 11 apps some nifty new AI powers, but not everyone will get them
Notepad is getting a new AI-powered text creation ability which is coming to all Windows 11 PCs, but it needs a Microsoft 365 subscription Windows 11's Notepad app is getting its AI powers expanded to include the ability to generate written content from scratch, and Microsoft is providing new
[11]
Windows Notepad Is Now an Actual Writing Tool Thanks to This AI Upgrade
This AI Is Starting to Blackmail Developers Who Try to Uninstall It Notepad is one of the most basic Windows tools to ever exist, but Microsoft has decided it's time for a makeover. You can still write in Notepad as you normally do, but going forward, you have Copilot to assist you. Notepad
[12]
Microsoft Will Soon Let You Create AI-Generated Stickers in MS Paint
Snipping Tool will now automatically resize screenshots using AI Microsoft is testing several new artificial intelligence (AI) features for first-party apps in Windows 11. On Thursday, the Redmond-based tech giant announced that it is releasing a new update to Windows Insiders in the Canary and
[13]
Big update from Microsoft: Humble Notepad will now use Copilot to write text for you.
Microsoft added AI to Notepad with a new tool called "Write" that helps you make text. Some people like it, but others feel it's not needed in such a basic app. Microsoft is also adding AI to other old apps like Paint.Microsoft is now adding AI to Notepad, the simple text editor that's been around
Share
Copy Link
Microsoft has introduced generative AI features to its classic Windows applications - Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool. These updates bring AI-powered writing, image editing, and screenshot capabilities, but with some limitations on availability and usage.
Microsoft Introduces AI-Powered Features to Classic Windows Applications
In a significant update to its Windows ecosystem, Microsoft has integrated generative AI capabilities into three of its long-standing applications: Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool. This move marks a substantial shift in the functionality of these once-simple tools, now leveraging the power of Microsoft's Copilot AI technology
1
.
Source: CNET
Notepad: From Text Editor to AI Writing Assistant
Notepad, a staple of Windows since its 1.0 version, has undergone a dramatic transformation. The new "Write" feature allows users to generate text based on prompts, building upon existing content with AI assistance. This adds to previously introduced AI functions like "Summarize" and "Rewrite," which can adjust tone, length, and phrasing of text
3
.
Source: The Verge
To use these features, users must be signed into a Microsoft Account and have available AI credits. Microsoft 365 subscribers receive more credits per month compared to non-subscribers
1
.Paint: AI-Powered Image Editing and Sticker Generation
Microsoft Paint, which narrowly escaped deprecation in 2019, now boasts several AI-enhanced features. These include a sticker generator, where users can create custom stickers by describing them in text, and an AI-powered smart select tool for isolating and editing individual elements in images
4
.
Source: Gadgets 360
These additions complement previously introduced AI features like Generative Fill, Generative Erase, and the Cocreator tool for creating images based on text prompts and reference sketches
3
.Snipping Tool: Perfect Screenshots and Color Picking
The Snipping Tool has received two notable updates. The "Perfect screenshot" feature uses AI to automatically crop and resize screenshots based on content, though this requires a Copilot+ PC with specific processor requirements. Additionally, a new color picker allows users to see hex, RGB, or HSL color values in screenshots
1
.Related Stories
Availability and Limitations
These updates are currently being tested with Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. However, the availability of some features is restricted:
- Notepad's AI features require a Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscription.
- Paint's new AI capabilities are limited to Copilot+ PCs.
- The Snipping Tool's "Perfect screenshot" feature is only available on Copilot+ PCs with specific processors
2
.
Mixed Reception and Future Implications
While Microsoft touts these updates as significant improvements, some industry observers question the necessity of such advanced features in traditionally simple applications. Critics argue that these additions may be more about showcasing AI capabilities than addressing user needs
5
.Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella views these changes as part of a broader "platform shift" in technology, comparable to significant developments in the 1990s. This suggests that Microsoft may continue to integrate AI across its product ecosystem, potentially transforming user experiences and developer tools in the coming years
4
.References
Summarized by
Navi
[5]
Related Stories
Recent Highlights
1
AI Hallucination Nearly Sparked US Military Confrontation With Chinese Ship in Middle East
Technology
2
OpenAI AI Agent Hacks Australian Government Healthcare Website in First-of-Its-Kind Breach
Technology
3
AI leaders warn UN Security Council of existential risks to humanity, call for global safeguards
Policy and Regulation
Recent Highlights
Today's Top Stories
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Follow topics that matter to you and stay ahead.
