Copilot Pro Archives

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Microsoft now testing Notepad text formatting in Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced text formatting capabilities in the Windows 11 Notepad application, allowing users to utilize Markdown-style input. This feature is part of the Windows 11 24H2 update for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. Users can apply formatting options such as bold, italic, hyperlinks, lists, and headings, while also having the option to revert to plain text easily. The update is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels with version 11.2504.50.0 of the app. This enhancement is part of a broader initiative to modernize Notepad, which has included features like multiple tabs, a built-in character counter, spell check, autocorrect, and AI-powered text summarization and generation. Users can disable new AI functionalities or uninstall the app to revert to the classic notepad.exe program.

Winsage

May 25, 2025

Microsoft Notepad’s latest AI trick churns out custom text for you

Microsoft's Notepad app has been updated to include AI capabilities that allow users to generate custom content based on prompts, available to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscribers. Users can refine generated text through follow-up prompts and access the Copilot menu for content creation. Other Microsoft apps, such as Paint and the Snipping Tool, have also received AI enhancements, with Paint allowing for custom sticker creation and the Snipping Tool offering an automatic editing feature for screenshots. These updates will initially be available to Windows Insiders before wider release.

Winsage

May 24, 2025

Note, Paint and Snip With AI: Microsoft Adds New Features, but Not for Everyone

Notepad will soon include generative AI capabilities powered by Copilot, allowing users to assist in text creation by right-clicking and inputting instructions. This feature will be available only to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscribers. Paint will enable users to create custom stickers through prompts, but this feature will only be available on devices with Copilot Plus. The Snipping Tool will introduce a "perfect screenshot" capability accessible to all users, eliminating the need for manual cropping or resizing.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Windows 11 Notepad gets AI-powered text writing capabilities

Microsoft is piloting an AI-driven text generation feature called "Write" in Notepad for Windows Insiders using version 11.2504.46.0. The feature allows users to create content from prompts, either starting from scratch or enhancing existing text. Users can access it by right-clicking, selecting "Write" from the Copilot menu, or using the Ctrl + Q shortcut. After entering instructions, AI-generated text can be incorporated into documents or discarded. A Microsoft personal account is required to use the feature, which utilizes AI credits from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Microsoft has also introduced other AI features in Notepad, including a text rewriting tool named "Rewrite," a character counter, spell-check, and autocorrect. Additionally, new AI capabilities have been rolled out for Paint and Snipping Tool users in the Windows Insider program, including a sticker generator and enhanced screenshot tools.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

You’ll never manually crop screenshots again thanks to this new Snipping Tool feature

Microsoft is updating the Snipping Tool to version 11.2504.38.0, introducing a Perfect screenshot feature that uses AI to intelligently resize selections for precise screenshots. Users can access this feature by selecting the Perfect screenshot button or by holding the Ctrl key while selecting a region. Additionally, a color picker feature will allow users to obtain exact color values from their screen. Both features are available exclusively on Copilot+ PCs. Furthermore, Paint will receive an AI-powered sticker generator and an Object select tool, while Notepad will introduce an AI-powered Write function for text drafting. Access to these functionalities requires a Microsoft account and a subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Enterprise, or Copilot Pro.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad updates with new features begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

Windows 11 has rolled out updates for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad for users in the Canary and Dev Channels. Paint (version 11.2504.451.0) introduces three features: 1. A sticker generator that creates custom stickers based on user prompts, accessible via the Copilot menu. 2. An object select tool that uses AI to isolate and edit elements within images. 3. A new welcome experience that guides users through the app's features. Snipping Tool (version 11.2504.38.0) adds: 1. A perfect screenshot feature that captures content precisely without needing cropping or resizing. 2. A color picker tool that allows users to inspect or select color codes from their screen. Notepad (version 11.2504.46.0) features: 1. An AI write feature that helps users draft text based on prompts, with options to keep or discard generated content. Access to the sticker generator, object select, and AI features requires signing in with a Microsoft account, and some features are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Consumers make their voices heard as Microsoft’s huge venture flatlines in popularity

In January 2024, Microsoft launched its Copilot assistant, utilizing advanced large language model technology, and introduced various offerings such as Copilot Pro subscription plans and specialized devices. Despite these efforts, Copilot has attracted only 20 million users weekly, which is significantly lower than ChatGPT's 400 million weekly users. This represents just over 1% of the 1.5 billion Windows users globally. Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer, Amy Hood, presented data showing stagnant user engagement for Copilot, raising concerns within the company about the return on its substantial investments in AI technology. Additionally, Microsoft has had to adjust its strategy regarding the Copilot key on keyboards, allowing for customization, and Intel has noted that its AI hardware is not gaining market traction.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

There’s AI Inside Windows Paint and Notepad Now. Here’s How to Use It

Companies are integrating artificial intelligence into their software, with recent updates to Windows applications like Paint and Notepad showcasing AI enhancements. In Windows Paint, a Copilot button introduces three features: 1. Image Creator: Users can generate images from descriptive prompts, selecting styles for the output. 2. Generative Erase: This tool lets users remove unwanted elements from images and fills in the background using surrounding pixels. 3. Remove Background: This feature isolates the main subject of an image by turning the background white. Generative Erase and Remove Background are free, while Image Creator requires AI credits available through Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscriptions. In Windows Notepad, the Copilot button offers features to refine existing text: 1. Make shorter and Make longer: Adjusts the length of selected text. 2. Change tone: Modifies the text's tone to be inspirational, formal, casual, or humorous. 3. Change format: Restructures text into lists, marketing language, or poetry. 4. Rewrite: Provides previews of rewritten text for selection. Notepad's AI-powered rewrites are limited for free users, with extensive use requiring AI credits tied to a Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscription. The Copilot button can be disabled in settings for a distraction-free experience.

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 13, 2025

Lilbits: Microsoft keeps adding AI to Notepad, a fix for broken Chromecasts, and Android 16 Beta 3

Microsoft Notepad has introduced new features, including a spell checker and an AI-powered Rewrite utility, aimed at enhancing user experience. The latest update includes a Summarize tool for generating concise summaries of selected text, available to Windows Insiders with a Microsoft account and a subscription to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro. Notepad version 11.2501.29.0 is rolling out in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. Additionally, the Windows Snipping Tool (version 11.2502.18.0) has been updated to allow users to draw straight lines during screen capture annotations. Android 16 Beta 3 is introducing "platform stability" and accessibility enhancements. Google is working on a fix for 2015 Chromecast devices affected by an expired certificate.