Microsoft Notepad and Paint are getting new AI options, for some purpose

Microsoft has officially confirmed the rollout of recent updates to its out-of-box Notepad and Paint functions for Home windows 11, particularly for Home windows Insiders at the moment within the Canary and Dev Channels of the PC working system.

Notepad model 11.2512.10.0 arrives with a brand new Markdown syntax characteristic within the type of textual content strikethrough and nested lists. The previous might be accessed by way of a devoted button inside the menu bar or by way of the Ctrl + Shift + X keyboard shortcut, whereas the latter lives inside the ‘H1’ menu button and provides ‘Enhance indent’ and ‘Lower indent’ drop-down choices. A brand new welcome expertise can be current on this app construct, and AI textual content outcomes inside the app will seem faster and extra fluidly, too.

Paint model 11.2512.191.0 introduces a brand new fill tolerance slider for extra exact management over how the Fill software applies coloration to your canvas. This slider seems robotically on the left-hand aspect of the display every time the Fill software is chosen from the app’s ribbon interface. A brand new AI-powered Coloring ebook characteristic can be right here; it is unique to Copilot+ PC customers, and it permits you to submit a textual content immediate and have auto-generated coloring ebook pages be churned out in response.

Each software updates are nonetheless in testing by way of the Windows Insider Program, and so the brand new options and enhancements inside them may change or be eliminated at any cut-off date. Microsoft hasn’t dedicated to any time-frame for after we may see these updates go reside for customers of steady Home windows 11, however I would count on them to be seeded to the broader public inside the subsequent couple of months (assuming no main bugs that want addressing are uncovered between at times).

Different Home windows 11 apps deserve love too

Notepad and Paint are nice and all, but it surely’s excessive time Microsoft improved its different in-box apps

Ever because the launch of Home windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft’s devoted Home windows Inbox Apps crew has been slowly enhancing the out-of-box expertise throughout a number of system functions, most notably together with Notepad, Paint, Snipping Instrument, and Photographs, and the Microsoft Retailer itself.

For probably the most half, these updates have been a lot appreciated — previous to the discharge of Windows 11, these apps have been in determined want of modernization. To Microsoft’s credit score, the necessities have been efficiently introduced in control with up to date UI components, much-needed energy consumer options, and different enhancements.

That being mentioned, I worry Microsoft’s newfound obsession with AI is on monitor to do extra hurt than good in the case of apps like Notepad and Paint. Now that these apps are comparatively as much as snuff on the fundamentals, the corporate has pivoted to infusing them with generative AI options of doubtful high quality. AI has confirmed itself controversial within the PC house, and so additional Copilot buttons could rub customers the incorrect means after they’re simply attempting to, say, jot down a fast be aware and get on with it.

For me, there’s an much more obvious difficulty right here in the case of Microsoft’s in-box app replace efforts: a lot to my chagrin, the corporate is privileging some packages over others. Home windows 11’s Climate software is a sizzling mess in 2026, and the Information app is not far behind, both. Different apps like Home windows Safety and Media Participant are in critical want of revamps, and do not even get me began on the atrociously bad web-based Outlook app expertise.

If Microsoft desires third-party builders to take the fashionable Home windows platform critically, it wants to guide the cost with first-rate functions of its personal making. In my estimation, Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Instrument have reached this threshold. It is time to lay off the AI, Microsoft, and begin enhancing the basics of Climate, Outlook, et al.