Copilot menu Archives

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Windows Notepad is Getting AI Summaries

Microsoft is testing AI-powered summaries in Windows Notepad, currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. The 'Summarize' feature allows users to generate concise summaries by highlighting text and selecting 'Summarize' or using the Ctrl + M shortcut. A Microsoft account is required, and Microsoft 365 subscribers will use AI credits for this feature. Users can disable AI features if they prefer the classic Notepad experience. Additionally, Notepad will include a 'recently closed files' feature for quick access to previously closed documents.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

You Can Try Notepad’s New AI Summarizer in Windows 11 Now (If You Pay)

Microsoft is enhancing its Notepad and Snipping Tool applications in Windows 11 with new AI features. Notepad now includes a Summarize feature that allows users to summarize text by using the Copilot menu or pressing Ctrl-M, but it requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot Pro AI credits for full access. Additionally, Notepad will show recently opened files, accessible via File > Recent, and users can clear this list if desired. The updates are part of Notepad version 11.2501.29.0. The Snipping Tool has been updated to allow users to draw arrows that automatically convert into straight lines with pointers, streamlining the annotation process, available in Snipping Tool version 11.2502.18.0. To access these features, users must join the Windows Insider program and may need to run unstable builds of Windows 11.

Winsage

March 17, 2025

Paint update begins rolling out to Windows Insiders

An update for Paint, version 11.2502.121.0, is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels of Windows 11, featuring enhancements to the Cocreator side panel for a more intuitive user experience. Users can access Cocreator through the Copilot menu to generate artwork based on their input using a mouse or pen. The update includes familiar tools like the Creativity slider and Select style dropdown, as well as a new Try again button for generating alternative image versions. The Apply button allows users to integrate generated content onto the Paint canvas. Users are encouraged to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

Microsoft Paint has a new Copilot hub, and it’s now rolling out on Windows 11 for everyone

In January 2025, Microsoft began rolling out Paint's Generative Erase feature, followed by the Image Creator in February. These features have been consolidated under a new "Copilot" hub button in the Paint toolbar, available to all Windows 11 users without needing to join the Insider program. Upon updating Paint, users will find the Image Creator shortcut replaced by the Copilot button, which offers three options: Image Creator, Generative Erase, and Background Removal. A fourth feature, "Cocreator," is available only on devices with NPU-based processors and allows users to turn sketches into polished artwork. The Image Creator enables users to generate images through generative AI by describing the desired artwork and selecting from various artistic styles, including Charcoal, Ink Sketch, Watercolor, Oil Painting, Digital Art, Photorealistic, Anime, and Pixel Art. Users can save or copy the generated images, but a Microsoft account and AI usage credits are required. The Generative Erase feature allows users to remove objects from images by drawing over the area to be erased. The background removal option lets users eliminate backgrounds from images and save the results as transparent PNGs. The introduction of the Copilot menu enhances accessibility to these tools for all Windows 11 users.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

Snipping Tool and Notepad app updates begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

Windows 11 is rolling out updates for the Snipping Tool and Notepad for users in the Canary and Dev Channels. The Snipping Tool (version 11.2502.18.0) introduces a "draw & hold" feature that allows users to create clean lines and shapes by holding the cursor or pen still before releasing. It also includes a new protocol launch experience for developers, enabling customization of capture features when invoked from applications. Notepad (version 11.2501.29.0) adds a generative AI feature for summarizing selected text and a "recent files" feature in the File menu for quick access to recently closed documents. Users can clear the recent files list or disable the feature in app settings. These updates are currently rolling out, and availability may vary among Insiders.

Winsage

February 9, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4880 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4880 (KB5052100) is being released to the Beta Channel, specifically for users who have not transitioned to updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes general enhancements and fixes, such as addressing a crash issue on the Settings Home page. Known issues include sluggishness in closing File Explorer and the appearance of enterprise-specific cards on non-managed PCs. Additionally, an update for Paint introduces a Copilot menu with features like Cocreator and Image Creator, accessible on Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.

Winsage

February 4, 2025

Microsoft Is Clubbing the AI Features in Paint Inside a New Copilot Menu

Microsoft released a new Windows 11 Insider Preview build (version 26120.3073) that includes enhancements to the Paint application and Windows Search functionality, available to Windows Insider users in the Canary and Dev channels. The Paint app now features a Copilot menu that integrates AI functionalities, including Cocreator for generating AI images from sketches, an Image Creator for text-to-image generation, a Generative Erase tool for removing unwanted objects, and a Remove Background function. These features are organized within the Copilot menu, with the Cocreator feature exclusive to Copilot+ PC users. Additionally, Windows Search has improved semantic indexing to support searching for documents, photos, and files in OneDrive, also limited to Copilot+ PC users.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

This Microsoft app is the latest to get infused with Copilot

Copilot+ PCs currently lack a standout feature to differentiate them from competitors. Microsoft is enhancing Copilot+ PCs with innovative features. A new Copilot menu in Paint will consolidate all AI tools into one interface, including the DALL-E-powered Cocreator, which will remain exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. Additionally, Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon can now use AI for content searches within File Explorer, with plans to extend this feature to Intel and AMD devices. This improved search allows users to find content using natural language queries.