AI in Windows 11 Notepad: A new era for classic apps

Microsoft has unveiled an updated version of Notepad for Windows 11, now equipped with AI-powered text generation. The new feature, called "Write," enables users to generate content based on prompts or enhance existing drafts. The Windows Insider team announced the update in an official blog post.

To use the feature, users simply highlight the text, right-click, and select "Write." Within seconds, the AI suggests a generated version, which can then be accepted, edited, or replaced with a new suggestion. This feature is available in Notepad version 11.2504.46.0 for Windows Insider participants on the Canary and Dev channels.

This update continues a string of AI-driven improvements to Notepad. In November 2024, Microsoft introduced the "Rewrite" feature, allowing users to adjust tone, length, and style. Then in March 2025, the app received a "Summarize" tool, offering concise overviews of written content.

AI Comes to Other Built-in Apps

Beyond Notepad, Microsoft has expanded AI capabilities across other built-in Windows 11 applications:

• Paint (version 11.2504.451.0): Now includes a sticker generator that creates images from text descriptions, along with a Smart Select tool for isolating objects in images. These updates simplify graphic editing and position Paint as a competitor to services like Canva.
• Snipping Tool (version 11.2504.38.02): Introduces Smart Capture to automatically refine screenshot borders and adds a data extraction feature that identifies tables and other elements. A color picker has also been added, displaying HEX, RGB, and HSL values.

Access Requirements and Subscription Model

These new AI features are currently available only to Windows Insider participants using Copilot+ PCs and require a Microsoft account login. Activation relies on AI credits: non-subscribers receive 15,000 credits per month, while Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Copilot Pro users get 60,000. Without a subscription, access is limited, and pricing for additional credits has not yet been announced.

Users who prefer a more traditional experience can disable AI features in app settings or revert to the classic notepad.exe by uninstalling the updated version.

Why Add AI to Notepad?

The integration of AI into Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool has sparked mixed reactions. Some users welcome it as a productivity boost—automatic text generation accelerates drafting, and smart tools make image editing easier. However, many users, especially developers, value Notepad for its simplicity and view the AI enhancements as unnecessary, favoring alternatives like Notepad++.

Critics also raise concerns about privacy, as AI features require cloud-based processing. While Microsoft assures that no data is stored after processing, users are advised to review the company's privacy policies carefully.

Outlook and Expectations

Microsoft continues to push AI deeper into the Windows 11 ecosystem, transforming even the simplest apps into powerful tools. The current features are in a testing phase, with a full public release expected in early 2026, following refinements based on insider feedback.

These developments highlight Microsoft’s broader strategy to integrate AI into everyday tasks. However, the success of these innovations will depend on maintaining a careful balance between added functionality and the simplicity that users have long valued in classic Windows applications. For now, users can follow the updates and decide whether these AI tools become essential assistants—or remain unnecessary additions.