Introduction to Notepad Updates
By late 2021, major updates for Windows’ built-in Notepad text editor had been so rare for so long that a gentle redesign and a handful of new settings were rated as a major update. New updates have become much more common since then, but like the rest of Windows, recent additions have been overwhelmingly weighted in the direction of generative AI.
What’s New in Notepad
In November, Microsoft began testing an update that allowed users to rewrite or summarize text in Notepad using generative AI. Another preview update takes it one step further, allowing you to write AI-generated text from scratch with basic instructions. This feature is called Write, to differentiate it from the earlier Rewrite. Like Rewrite and Summarize, Write requires users to be signed into a Microsoft Account, because using it requires you to use your monthly allotment of Microsoft’s AI credits.
AI Credits and Availability
Per Microsoft’s support page, users without a paid Microsoft 365 subscription get 15 credits per month. Subscribers with Personal and Family subscriptions get 60 credits per month instead. Microsoft notes that all AI features in Notepad can be disabled in the app’s settings, and obviously, they won’t be available if you use a local account instead of a Microsoft Account.
Updates for Other Windows Apps
Microsoft is also releasing preview updates for Paint and Snipping Tool, two other bedrock Windows apps that hadn’t seen much by way of major updates before the Windows 11 era. Paint’s features are also mostly AI-related, including a "sticker generator" and an AI-powered smart select tool "to help you isolate and edit individual elements in your image." A new "welcome experience" screen that appears the first time you launch the app will walk you through the new features Microsoft has added to Paint in the last couple of years.
AI Features in Paint
The AI-powered features in Paint are designed to make it easier to edit and create images. The sticker generator allows you to create custom stickers using your own images, while the smart select tool makes it easy to isolate and edit individual elements in your image.
Conclusion
The latest updates to Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to incorporating generative AI! into its Windows apps. While these updates may not be for everyone, they offer a range of new features and tools that can be useful for users who want to create and edit text and images.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a Microsoft Account to use the AI features in Notepad?
A: Yes, you need to be signed into a Microsoft Account to use the AI features in Notepad.
Q: How many AI credits do I get per month?
A: Users without a paid Microsoft 365 subscription get 15 credits per month, while subscribers with Personal and Family subscriptions get 60 credits per month.
Q: Can I disable the AI features in Notepad?
A: Yes, you can disable the AI features in Notepad by going to the app’s settings.
Q: Are the AI features available in other Windows apps?
A: Yes, Microsoft is also releasing preview updates for Paint and Snipping Tool that include AI-related features.
