Cover Image for AI functions could make me start using Paint and Notepad again.
Fri Nov 08 2024

AI functions could make me start using Paint and Notepad again.

The capabilities of the Paint and Notepad applications in Windows 11 will be enhanced with the addition of new tools based on artificial intelligence.

The usual Windows applications are about to become significantly smarter thanks to the advancements that Microsoft is introducing. According to a recent announcement, the beta versions of the Paint and Notepad applications for Windows 11 will incorporate new artificial intelligence (AI) features to enhance the user experience.

The latest update of the Notepad app has included not just autocorrection and spell check, but also a new rewriting feature. This tool allows users to modify highlighted text according to their desired guidelines. AI responses can be customized by requesting more extensive variants, changing the tone of the text, or choosing different formats. Additionally, generated text can be applied through a specific button or by simply right-clicking and selecting the "Rewrite" option. The feature can also be disabled in the app settings if the user prefers. However, for now, this functionality is intended solely for testers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy, and a Microsoft account is required to access it. There is also an improvement in app performance, which could be up to 35% faster with increases of up to 55% on some systems.

On the other hand, the Paint application is also being revamped with the introduction of features like generative fill, which allows users to add AI-generated elements to images. For instance, a specific area can be selected, and the AI can create a new image in that space. If the result is unsatisfactory, there is an option to try again. Generative erase is another tool that lets users remove unwanted objects from an image by selecting the area and letting the function do its work. However, there is a limitation: this latter feature will only be available on devices with a powerful NPU and initially only on Copilot+ PCs using a Snapdragon CPU, which may exclude many Windows 11 users.

Microsoft is taking a cautious approach with these innovative features and is paying attention to user feedback before considering a broader rollout. With these updates, Paint seems to be on its way to transforming into a more versatile and complete tool, following the recent decision to discontinue Paint 3D.