Copilot Pro Archives

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Windows Notepad and Paint are still free – but the AI will cost you. Here’s how much

Users have enjoyed free access to Windows applications like Notepad and Paint, but new AI features now require a subscription. Notepad can now perform text rewrites based on user preferences, while Paint includes an AI-powered Image Creator. Microsoft is encouraging subscriptions to Microsoft 365 to support AI development, leading to a freemium model for desktop software. Users can access non-AI features for free, but AI functionalities require a subscription, with pricing options including a Microsoft 365 Personal plan and a Family plan. Each plan offers up to 60 AI credits per month, with additional options for unlimited usage through the Copilot Pro plan. The only free feature in Paint is background removal.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Microsoft Paint’s AI features for Windows 11 out in more regions, including Image Creator

Microsoft is expanding the accessibility of its MS Paint application on Windows 11, introducing an update that enhances the Paint Creator mode for users outside the United States. This update includes the "Image Creator" button, which uses Bing's AI capabilities to generate images, now available to a broader audience. Users need a Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot Pro to access the Paint Image Creator, which operates on OpenAI’s DALL-E technology. The process involves entering a text description, selecting a style, and generating three image variants. Users must have a Microsoft account to track usage and a Microsoft 365 subscription to utilize the Paint Image Creator with an increased limit on AI credits. The Paint Creator operates on an “AI Credits” system, providing 60 credits monthly for image generation. Additionally, Microsoft is rolling out the Generative Erase feature, allowing users to remove objects from images using AI.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Windows 11’s Microsoft Copilot now auto runs in the background, but it’s still web crap

The Copilot app for Windows 11 now has an auto-start feature that launches it in the background upon desktop boot-up, available in version 1.25014.121.0. This allows users to access the app immediately after login without manual initiation. The updated settings menu includes options for quick view, accessing settings, and a removal of the “pin to taskbar” option. The app also introduced the “Think Deeper” feature, utilizing the o1 Strawberry reasoning model from OpenAI, which produces more complex responses at the cost of longer processing times. Additionally, Copilot Voice AI now supports multiple languages, including German, Spanish, Hindi, and French. However, the app has been criticized for its high RAM consumption, reportedly using between 600 to 800 MB, with spikes up to 1.5 GB, leading to a less favorable user experience compared to ChatGPT on MacOS.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Mythbusters: Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm

Advantech's infographic addresses myths about Microsoft Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, distinguishing it from Windows Home or Professional editions. Myths about the operating system include: 1. Windows on Arm consumes significant power and resources, leading to poor performance. 2. The image size of Windows on Arm is greater than or equal to that of Windows on x86. 3. Desktop mode is unavailable on Windows on Arm. 4. Windows on Arm is a stripped-down version of Windows. 5. Arm architecture may face limitations with complex tasks. 6. All Windows devices are power-hungry, and switching to Arm offers no improvement. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC typically occupies about 6GB of storage, with a minimum requirement of 16GB. - Desktop mode is available on Windows on Arm. - Windows on Arm retains core functionalities, though some hardware drivers may have compatibility issues. - Arm processors are generally more efficient than x86 counterparts. Myths regarding applications and workload include: 7. Windows on Arm exclusively supports Arm64 applications. 8. Multimedia applications perform poorly on Windows on Arm devices. 9. Windows Copilot can be extended to all versions of Windows running on Arm. Key facts include: - An emulation system allows x86 applications to run on Arm hardware. - Multimedia performance depends on hardware acceleration, which is supported by major SoC manufacturers. - Cloud-based services like Windows Copilot operate effectively on Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, but on-device Copilot+ requires specific hardware capabilities. Myths about licensing and development include: 10. The Windows license fee for x86 is expensive, and the fee for Windows on Arm is similarly high. 11. Windows on Arm has limited support for certain Windows frameworks. 12. Development and debugging on Windows for Arm architecture present challenges requiring extended transition periods. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is priced between 0 and 0, offering a decade of security updates. - Transitioning from x86 to Arm for application development is streamlined, with common programming languages and frameworks remaining compatible. Tools like Visual Studio facilitate the development process.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

How to enable and use Rewrite AI in Notepad on Windows 11

The tutorial explains how to enable and use the Rewrite AI feature in Notepad on Windows 11, which utilizes GPT for text editing. Users can rephrase sentences, change the tone, or rewrite documents with AI credits. The feature is currently in preview mode for Windows 11 Insider users in the US, UK, Canada, France, and Italy, with 50 credits available. Users in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, or Taiwan can access it with a Copilot Pro or Microsoft 365 subscription. To enable Rewrite, users must adjust their region settings to a supported country and update Notepad. The Rewrite functionality includes options to rewrite, shorten, lengthen, change tone, and format text, with each action consuming one AI credit. Users can access Notepad settings by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Windows and Office get smart: An overview of Microsoft’s AI services

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence across its software ecosystem, particularly in Windows and Office applications. The AI assistant Copilot is accessible via the taskbar or Start menu and operates through the Edge browser, allowing users to engage with AI for tasks like generating text and creating images. Copilot is embedded in Microsoft Edge, enabling users to ask questions and receive answers powered by Bing, with options for different conversational styles. The Edge integration offers enhanced capabilities such as summarizing web content and utilizing plugins for travel and dining searches, which are not available in the standalone app. Microsoft's Paint application has been upgraded with Cocreator and Image Creator features that use AI to generate images based on user descriptions, leveraging Dall-e technology from OpenAI. The Image Creator operates through Microsoft’s cloud resources, while Cocreator processes locally on Copilot Plus devices. The Windows Photo Viewer has a generative erase function that allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos, intelligently filling in gaps left behind. Microsoft has developed PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to handle AI tasks locally, enhancing performance and addressing data privacy concerns. The Designer feature has expanded from PowerPoint to Word, providing AI-driven design suggestions, but requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. The Copilot Pro subscription allows for text generation, template creation, and data analysis in Excel, though some limitations exist. AI capabilities have also been integrated into tools like Clipchamp and Teams for video creation and communication management. Microsoft has paused the rollout of the Recall feature, which tracks user activity through screenshots, due to privacy concerns.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft rolls out AI-enabled Notepad to Windows Insiders

Microsoft is introducing significant AI upgrades to Notepad and Paint for Windows Insiders. Notepad will feature a new function called "Rewrite," allowing users to rephrase selected text with options for tone, format, and length. This function operates through Microsoft's cloud infrastructure and requires a Microsoft account, utilizing AI credits for usage. Paint will receive enhancements such as the Generative Erase feature for removing elements and Generative Fill for modifying artwork based on text descriptions. Generative Erase will be available on all Windows 11 PCs, while Generative Fill will initially be exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ devices. Microsoft claims that Notepad's launch time will improve by over 35%, with some users experiencing up to 55% enhancements. The Rewrite feature will be in preview mode for users in the US, France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany, while users in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand will need a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal account, or a Copilot Pro subscription to access it.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

AI Has Come for Sweet, Innocent Notepad

Notepad has introduced a new feature called Rewrite, powered by Microsoft's GPT AI model, which allows users to rephrase sentences, adjust tone, and modify text length. Users can access this feature by highlighting text and selecting the Rewrite option from the context menu or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I. The feature generates three variations of the modified text based on user-selected options. Currently, it is available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels of Windows 11, specifically in the U.S., France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany, with additional access for Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscribers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Users need to sign in with their Microsoft accounts and have credits to use the GPT model, starting with 50 complimentary credits. Microsoft Paint has also been updated with AI features, including Generative Fill and Generative Erase tools.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Watch out, Windows Notepad users: Here comes AI

Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Rewrite feature for Notepad, available to Windows Insiders running Windows 11. Users need the latest Canary or Dev build of Windows 11 and must be signed in with a Microsoft account linked to the Insider program to access the feature. The Rewrite process allows users to modify text by selecting it and using the Rewrite button or shortcut Ctrl + I, generating three distinct versions of the text. AI credits are required for content generation, with initial allocations set at 50 credits for users in select countries and 60 credits monthly for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The Rewrite feature is currently limited to Dev or Canary builds of Windows 11 and may take time to reach the standard version of Notepad.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

New AI experiences for Paint and Notepad begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

The updates to Paint (version 11.2410.28.0) include the introduction of generative fill, which allows users to make edits and additions to their artwork using text prompts, and generative erase, enabling the removal of unwanted objects from the canvas. Generative fill is initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs for Windows Insiders in supported markets, while generative erase is accessible for all Windows 11 PCs. Additionally, the Cocreator feature has been enhanced for faster results, and Image Creator is now available in preview for Windows 11 users in several countries, with AI credits for Microsoft 365 subscribers in select regions. The Notepad update (version 11.2410.15.0) introduces a generative AI feature that allows users to rewrite content by rephrasing sentences and adjusting tone and length. This feature is available in preview for users in specific countries and requires a Microsoft account. Improvements have also been made to Notepad’s launch performance, with most users experiencing over a 35% improvement in app launch time.