Microsoft rolls out AI-enabled Notepad to Windows Insiders

Windows Insiders will soon get firsthand experience of Microsoft's AI ambitions for Paint and Notepad: the image editor is getting Generative Fill and Erase and the text editor is getting a Rewrite function.

We'd been hearing since January that Microsoft Notepad would get an AI makeover - and yesterday it was confirmed Microsoft will roll out a new version of the text editor with generative AI options.

Dubbed "Rewrite," the function takes a text selection and rewrites it based on the user's selections of tone, format, and length. So if, for example, a user has text that they think is too wordy or casual, Rewrite will provide three variations they can pick from. Alternatively, the user can opt to revert to the original text.

As for the generated text, Microsoft uses filtering to prevent problematic content being added. The Windows maker says the filtering is "based on criteria that reflect Microsoft's values and standards, including human dignity, diversity, and inclusion."

However, there's no guarantee filtering will catch everything and there might be the occasional "undesirable output," in which case users are encouraged to file a report.

Rewrite is powered by Microsoft's cloud, and a user must be signed in with a Microsoft account to use it. It also uses AI credits, but you can always buy more if you run out.

Microsoft is also be rolling out updates to Paint. Generative Erase removes unwanted objects from the canvas and Generative Fill allows users to make edits and additions to their artwork by describing what they want the AI tool to do text. The former will arrive on all Windows 11 PCs, while the latter will initially turn up on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs.

It's debatable if being able to type "medieval castle" and have Generative Fill attempt to draw something on a landscape is the killer AI app investors are looking for, but every little helps.

Notepad is an especially familiar favorite for many techies, who are unlikely to welcome more changes as the application strays further away from its humble text editor origins. An alternative, Notepad++, currently eschews AI - although plugins to generate code are available - and Microsoft says it is "trying to reduce the world carbon dioxide emissions" by keeping the power requirements down. By implementing generative AI with all its problematic environmental credentials, even considering its cloud nature, Notepad in Windows appears to be going the other way.

Microsoft has also claimed that most users will see an improvement in launch time for Notepad by more than 35 percent, with some seeing a 55 percent improvement.

The Rewrite function will be available in preview form for users in the United States, France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. Users in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand will need a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal account or Copilot Pro subscription to use the functionality when it rolls out. ®