Windows 11 adds AI features to Paint and Notepad apps

Windows 11 introduces AI-powered features to Paint and Notepad: Microsoft is rolling out new artificial intelligence capabilities to its stock apps, enhancing user experience and productivity in the latest Windows 11 update.

• The updates are currently being tested in the Canary and Dev channels, targeting early adopters and enthusiasts.
• These new features require users to be signed in with a Microsoft account and are initially available in select countries, including the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Italy.

Notepad gets a smart rewrite function: The popular text editor now includes an AI-powered rewrite tool, offering users multiple options to refine their content.

• Users can select text and generate three different AI-powered rewrites to choose from.
• The tool allows for fine-tuning, such as adjusting length or tone of the rewritten content.
• Additionally, Notepad’s launch speed has been improved by up to 35%, with some users experiencing up to 55% faster startup times.

Paint app introduces generative fill and erase: Microsoft’s iconic drawing application receives two powerful AI features to enhance image creation and editing.

• Generative fill allows users to add AI-generated elements to existing images by selecting an area and providing a text prompt.
• Generative erase enables the removal of objects from images, with AI filling in the background seamlessly.
• These features offer multiple attempts, allowing users to refine results if they’re not satisfied with the initial output.

Copilot+ exclusivity and performance improvements: Some advanced features are limited to specific hardware configurations, highlighting Microsoft’s push towards AI-optimized devices.

• Paint’s generative fill feature is initially exclusive to Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon (Arm) CPUs.
• Cocreator, another Copilot+ exclusive feature in Paint, has been optimized for faster performance.
• It remains unclear if these Copilot+ exclusive features will be available to all Windows 11 users in the future.

Potential user concerns and rollout strategy: Microsoft’s approach to feature integration and testing reflects a cautious stance, acknowledging potential user feedback.

• Some users may view the addition of AI features to Notepad as feature bloat, diverging from the app’s original simplicity.
• Microsoft plans to monitor feedback carefully before expanding the rollout to more Windows Insiders.
• The timeline for these features to reach the general Windows 11 user base remains uncertain.

Broader implications for Windows ecosystem: These updates signify Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI across its core applications, potentially reshaping user interactions with Windows.

• The introduction of AI features in stock apps could set new expectations for productivity software in the Windows ecosystem.
• The hardware-specific limitations for some features may influence future PC purchasing decisions, potentially driving demand for AI-optimized devices.
• As AI becomes more prevalent in everyday applications, it may spark discussions about the balance between functionality, simplicity, and user privacy in operating systems.