Microsoft Paint and Notepad to get new AI features

Those who have used a Microsoft desktop or laptop probably need no introduction to Paint and Notepad. These apps have always been available for use since Windows 1.0 was released. However, with AI on the horizon, Microsoft has decided to give Paint and Notepad an AI upgrade. Check out everything new coming to the applications.

Paint to get Generative fill and erase capabilities

The Paint app was equipped with artificial intelligence features with an AI creation tool last year. However, it was available only in the preview. As a part of the new update, it will be available in preview to all Windows 11 users in the United States, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany.

The new update also extends to Cocreator. It gets an improved underlying diffusion-based model to deliver better results quickly. This feature will be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs only.

Coming to new features, Microsoft is introducing Generative Fill for Paint to make edits and additions with a few words while maintaining the existing art style of a project. This tool will help add details and experiment with new ideas with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

To use the feature, use the Selection tool in the Paint toolbar to make a free-form or rectangle selection and a small menu pops up. Select the Generative fill option, use the text box to describe what you want to add, and hit Create. If it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it to, you can use the Try Again button. Press the Keep button to apply it to your Paint canvas.

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To start with, the Generative Fill option will be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. This feature will only be available for Windows Insiders in supported markets.

A new AI-powered tool called Generative Erase will help users remove unwanted objects from the canvas and fill up the empty space to clean it as if the object never existed there. While using the eraser tool, select Generative Erase to eliminate what you want from the image. You can then manually brush over one or more areas to erase the content. To make sure that the area selection is proper, you can use “Add area to erase” and “Reduce area to erase.” After that, you can click on Apply to remove the object. The Generative Erase tool will be available to users on all Windows 11 PCs.

Notepad can help you Rewrite

With the help of generative AI, Notepad will be able to rewrite content. It will allow users to rephrase sentences, adjust the one, and modify the length of your content. This can be achieved based on user preferences to refine text.

To begin with, select the text you want to rewrite, then right-click with your mouse or touchpad and choose the Rewrite option. Users can even use the Ctrl+I shortcut from their keyboard. Notepad will generate three variations for you to choose from. Select the one that works for you. In case you wish to further customise rewrite settings, click on Retry to generate additional versions.

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This new AI-powered tool will be available in Notepad in preview to all users on Windows 11 in the United States, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. For Microsoft 365 Personal and Family and Copilot Pro subscribers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. It is important to note that these features will be available in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11.