Microsoft Brings AI-Powered Editing to Notepad and Paint: Here’s What to Expect

Introduction

Microsoft is breathing new life into Notepad and Paint, two of its oldest applications, by integrating AI-powered tools. The update, available to Windows Insiders, introduces Notepad’s new Rewrite feature and Paint’s Generative Fill and Erase capabilities. These tools bring modern text and image editing to essential Windows apps, enhancing their functionality and appeal.

Notepad’s Rewrite Feature: AI-Powered Text Editing

The Rewrite feature in Notepad uses AI to help users rephrase, adjust tone, and change the length of selected text. This feature is accessible by highlighting and right-clicking text, allowing users to select from AI-generated variations. Designed to streamline text editing, Rewrite offers enhanced flexibility for quick content adjustments directly in Notepad. It currently requires users to be signed in to a Microsoft account due to its cloud-based nature and is available in select regions, including the US, UK, and Canada.

AI Tools in Paint: Generative Fill and Erase

Microsoft is also bringing advanced AI editing tools to Paint. Generative Fill lets users add elements to an image based on simple prompts, while Generative Erase removes selected parts of an image, seamlessly blending the background. Though Generative Fill initially rolls out to Copilot Plus PCs, Generative Erase is available to all Windows Insiders, making it easier to edit images without specialized software.

Expanding Microsoft’s AI Ecosystem

These features highlight Microsoft’s ongoing integration of AI in core Windows applications, aligning with recent updates like spell check and autocorrect in Notepad. The introduction of AI-driven tools to Notepad and Paint indicates Microsoft’s commitment to making creative and productivity-enhancing tools more accessible for everyday users.

Conclusion

The addition of AI-powered tools to Notepad and Paint represents Microsoft’s vision for accessible, intuitive applications. By enabling smarter text and image editing, Microsoft is transforming its legacy software into modern, versatile tools that meet the needs of both casual and professional users alike.