Microsoft has unveiled groundbreaking AI-powered features for its classic Windows applications: Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool. The transformative update, available exclusively to Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscribers, marks a significant evolution in how users interact with these long-standing productivity tools.
The AI-enhanced Notepad application now incorporates sophisticated text generation capabilities, enabling users to create content through AI-powered prompts. This functionality represents a considerable advancement for the traditionally minimalist text editor, offering users the ability to generate and refine text using generative AI technology.
Through the Copilot menu, users can access these new features with a simple right-click or by using the Ctrl + Q shortcut. The system builds upon the recently introduced Rewrite tool, allowing for comprehensive text modifications based on specific requirements for tone, format, and length.
Paint, Microsoft’s venerable image editing application, has received equally significant enhancements. The introduction of an AI-driven sticker generator enables users to create custom stickers through text prompts. Additionally, the new Object select tool harnesses AI technology to precisely isolate and edit specific image elements, marking a substantial improvement in Paint’s editing capabilities.
The Snipping Tool’s evolution includes the introduction of a Perfect screenshot feature, which employs AI to automatically enhance and edit screen captures. This development is complemented by a new Colour picker tool, providing users with detailed colour information in HEX, RGB, or HSL formats, significantly expanding the application’s utility for design-focused tasks.
These innovations, while promising, come with specific accessibility requirements. The advanced features are currently limited to Copilot+ PCs and require users to maintain an active Microsoft account. The initial rollout is exclusively available to Windows Insiders participating in the Canary and Dev Channels, with broader distribution planned for future releases.
Microsoft’s strategic integration of AI across these fundamental Windows applications reflects a broader industry shift towards AI-enhanced productivity tools. This development represents a significant step in democratising AI technology, making sophisticated features accessible through familiar interfaces that millions of users interact with daily.
The comprehensive update signals Microsoft’s commitment to modernising its core applications while maintaining their essential functionality. By enhancing these tools with AI capabilities, Microsoft is positioning its traditional applications to meet contemporary productivity demands while preserving their fundamental simplicity and reliability.
Source: CNET
