AI arrives in Windows Paint and Notepad: New features explained

Microsoft is bringing AI capabilities to some of its most basic and long-serving Windows applications, transforming simple utilities into powerful creative tools. Paint and Notepad, staples of the Windows operating system since its early days, now feature Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant, giving users access to image generation, text manipulation, and editing functions previously available only in specialized software. This integration represents Microsoft’s strategy to embed AI throughout its ecosystem, making advanced capabilities accessible within familiar interfaces.

How to use AI features in Windows Paint

The big picture: Microsoft has transformed the simple Paint application into an AI-powered image creation and editing tool through three distinct Copilot features.

• The Image Creator function allows users to generate completely new images by typing descriptive text prompts and selecting style preferences.
• Generative Erase enables users to remove unwanted elements from photos, with AI intelligently filling in the background based on surrounding pixels.
• Remove Background automatically isolates the main subject of an image by turning the background white, requiring no additional settings or adjustments.

Important details: While some AI features in Paint are freely available, others require Microsoft’s AI credit system.

• Both the Generative Erase and Remove Background tools can be used without restriction or additional cost.
• The Image Creator feature consumes AI credits associated with your Microsoft account, potentially requiring subscription purchases for extensive use.

How to use AI features in Windows Notepad

Key capabilities: Rather than generating new content, Notepad’s AI integration focuses on transforming existing text through various rewriting options.

• Users must first input and select text before accessing Copilot’s features through a dedicated button in the top-right corner of the interface.
• The AI offers length adjustments (making text shorter or longer), tone changes (formal, casual, humorous), and format transformations (lists, marketing copy, poetry).
• A comprehensive “Rewrite” option provides the most extensive set of text manipulation tools.

Worth noting: Microsoft is gradually implementing a credit system for Notepad’s AI features similar to Paint.

• Initially, users receive a limited number of free AI-powered rewrites in Notepad.
• Continued extensive use will eventually require Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscriptions for additional AI credits.

User control: For those who prefer the traditional versions of these applications, Microsoft has made AI features optional.

• Users can disable Copilot functionality entirely by clicking the gear icon and toggling off the Copilot switch.
• This allows users to maintain a classic experience while still benefiting from other recent modernizations to these applications.