In a move that blends nostalgia with cutting-edge innovation, Microsoft is bringing powerful AI capabilities to three of its most iconic Windows apps—Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool. These updates, currently rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels of Windows 11, aim to make everyday tasks smarter, faster, and more creative.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:
📝 Notepad Gets a Brain Boost with AI Writing Tools
Yes, you read that right—Notepad, the humble text editor, now has AI powers!
Microsoft has introduced a “Write” feature in Notepad that leverages generative AI to help you brainstorm, rephrase, and even summarize text. Whether you're drafting a quick note or crafting a longer piece of writing, this tool can:
- Generate new text based on your prompts
- Rewrite content to change tone, clarity, or format
- Summarize long text into concise blurbs
These capabilities are integrated directly into the Copilot menu, and can also be accessed with a simple Ctrl + Q shortcut. To use these tools, you’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account. Keep in mind that it operates on a credit-based system, which is linked to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscriptions.
🎨 Paint Evolves into a Creative Powerhouse
Paint is no longer just a pixel playground. With these latest updates, it now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with modern design tools, thanks to AI.
Here are the standout features:
- Sticker Creator: Generate custom stickers from text prompts.
- Smart Object Selection: Select and isolate elements in an image with intelligent precision.
- Generative Fill & Erase: Add or remove elements in images seamlessly using AI.
These features are also found in the Copilot menu and are particularly optimized for Copilot+ PCs that come equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs).
✂️ Snipping Tool Gets Smarter, Not Just Sharper
The Snipping Tool, already a go-to for screenshots, is now even more powerful with AI enhancements that make capturing and editing easier than ever:
- Perfect Screenshot: Automatically detects and crops the subject of your screenshot.
- Advanced Color Picker: Pick precise colors using HEX, RGB, or HSL formats—ideal for designers and developers.
No more guesswork or manual cropping—just smarter, cleaner captures with less effort.
🎯 Final Thoughts
With these updates, Microsoft isn’t just updating old tools—it’s redefining what everyday apps can do in the AI era. Whether you're writing, drawing, or capturing your screen, these new features will help you do it better and faster.
It’s clear that Microsoft is on a mission to embed intelligent assistance everywhere—and these beloved apps are just the beginning.
Stay tuned, and if you're on the Windows Insider program, give these tools a spin and see the future of productivity in action!