Windows 11 Notepad Introduces AI-Powered Writing with Copilot Integration

Microsoft’s venerable Notepad, a staple of Windows since the 1980s, is undergoing its most significant transformation yet.

With the latest Windows 11 Insider builds, Notepad now features integrated generative AI, turning the once-basic text editor into a creative and technical assistant.

The new “Write” feature allows users to summon AI-generated text, ranging from business letters and code snippets to boilerplate documentation, directly within any open file.

By right-clicking and selecting “Write,” users can describe their desired content, and the AI will generate a draft in seconds.

Users then choose to “Keep Text” or “Discard,” ensuring control remains firmly in human hands.

Technically, these features are powered by cloud-based large language models, likely variants of Microsoft’s GPT-4, accessed via the Copilot platform.

Access requires a Microsoft account and the use of AI credits, introducing a resource-based model familiar from other premium AI services.

Notably, Notepad’s AI features include “Rewrite” and “Summarize,” allowing users to refine, rephrase, or condense text with a click or shortcut (Ctrl + I).

These capabilities are especially useful for developers and writers seeking to improve clarity, adjust tone, or generate code comments efficiently.

Sample usage:

text# Example: Generating a Python function with Notepad AI
Prompt: "Write a Python function to calculate factorial of a number."
AI Output:
def factorial(n):
    if n == 0 or n == 1:
        return 1
    else:
        return n * factorial(n-1)

Microsoft Paint and Snipping Tool are also receiving AI-powered upgrades.

Paint now includes an AI Sticker Generator, enabling users to create custom stickers simply by typing a prompt (e.g., “cat wearing sunglasses”).

The app’s new Smart Object Selection tool leverages computer vision to isolate and edit specific elements in images, streamlining workflows that once required manual effort.

These features are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, which are equipped with neural processing units (NPUs) to accelerate AI tasks.

The Snipping Tool introduces the “Perfect Screenshot” feature, which uses AI to automatically detect and crop the ideal screen area, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

It also adds a color picker capable of identifying any color on the screen and providing its HEX, RGB, or HSL values—an essential feature for designers and developers.

Paint’s AI features require signing in with a Microsoft account and are available only on Copilot+ hardware, while Snipping Tool’s upgrades are more broadly accessible

Risks and Governance:

While these AI enhancements bring unprecedented productivity and creativity, they introduce notable risks and governance challenges.

All AI-generated content is processed in the cloud, raising concerns about data privacy, compliance, and potential exposure of sensitive information, especially in business, legal, or coding contexts.

The use of AI credits also introduces a tiered access model, potentially segmenting users by ability to pay.

Furthermore, AI models can “hallucinate,” generating inaccurate or irrelevant content, making human oversight essential.

Organizations must implement robust access controls, regular audits, and clear policies to mitigate risks associated with over-permissioning and data exposure.

Risk Factor Table

Microsoft’s integration of generative AI into Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool signals a new era for desktop utilities, blending simplicity with intelligence.

While these upgrades promise democratized content creation and enhanced productivity, users and organizations must remain vigilant about privacy, security, and ethical use.

As these features move from preview to mainstream, they are poised to redefine expectations for everyday computing, offering both powerful new tools and complex new responsibilities.

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