spell check Archives

Winsage

March 13, 2025

Windows Notepad to get AI text summarization in Windows 11

Microsoft is piloting an AI-driven text summarization feature called "Summarize" in Notepad for Windows 11 Insiders using version 11.2501.29.0. Users can summarize selected text by right-clicking or using the shortcut Ctrl + M, with the option to adjust summary length. Access to this feature requires signing in with a Microsoft personal account linked to Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Additionally, Notepad has introduced a "Recent Files" option for reopening recently closed documents. The Snipping Tool has been updated with a "Draw & Hold" feature in version 11.2502.18.0, allowing for precise drawing. Microsoft is also integrating AI functionalities into Notepad, having previously introduced a text rewriting tool called "Rewrite" and other enhancements like a character counter and spell check.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

7 ancient apps you can still use in Windows 11

Disk Cleanup, introduced in Windows 98, helps users reclaim disk space by removing system restore points, temporary files, and remnants from outdated Windows Updates. Windows Media Player, which debuted with Windows 3.0, remains available in Windows 11 and is used for playing DVDs and organizing music collections. The Control Panel has been part of Windows since 1985 and provides access to legacy tools, although Microsoft encourages users to use the modern Settings app. Character Map, introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992, allows users to access every glyph in installed fonts and is useful for inserting specialized characters. Notepad, a staple since 1983, has received updates including spell check and rich formatting options in Windows 11. The Snipping Tool, first introduced in Windows Vista in 2007, has evolved to include features like screen recording and OCR-powered text extraction. WinZip, a third-party compression tool that debuted in 1991, remains popular for managing ZIP files and continues to function on Windows 11.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft Notepad to get AI-powered rewriting tool on Windows 11

Microsoft is introducing AI-enhanced functionalities to its applications Notepad and Paint, which were originally launched in the 1980s. These updates are currently being tested by Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. In Paint version 11.2410.28.0, new features include generative fill and generative erase, allowing users to manipulate images by replacing elements with AI-generated content. The generative fill feature enables edits and additions with simple text prompts while maintaining the existing art style. The generative erase tool helps remove unwanted objects from images while preserving the artwork's integrity. Additionally, a new background remover tool is being added to enhance user experience. Notepad is introducing the "Rewrite" feature, which allows users to automatically rephrase content, adjust tone, and modify length. This feature is available in preview for users in select countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany, and requires a Microsoft account for access. Since 2018, Notepad has been updated with various features such as a built-in character counter, spell check, autocorrect, wrap-around find and replace, improved compatibility with Unix and Mac systems, tabbed browsing, text zoom, UTF-8 support, autosaving, and line number displays.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

Soon you can let Microsoft’s Notepad rewrite text for you

Microsoft is integrating AI-powered text editing capabilities into Notepad, introducing a feature called Rewrite, which is currently available for testing by Windows Insiders. Rewrite allows users to rephrase sentences, adjust tone, and modify content length. To use it, users highlight text, right-click, and select Rewrite, after which they can specify how to alter the text and receive three rewritten options. Accessing Rewrite requires signing in to a Microsoft account, and it is being rolled out in preview on Windows 11 in several countries, including the US, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. This update follows the introduction of spell check and autocorrect functionalities in July. Additionally, Microsoft is previewing new AI image editing tools in Paint, including the Generative Fill feature for adding elements to images and the Generative Erase tool for removing parts of images. The Generative Fill feature will initially be available to testers using Copilot Plus PCs, while the Generative Erase tool will be accessible to all Insiders on Windows 11.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

How to configure spell checker and autocorrect features on Windows 11

Windows 11 includes grammar features that enhance writing across applications. Users need to manually configure these tools in specific applications like Notepad, Outlook, and Microsoft 365. To enable grammar tools, users can go to Settings, then Time & language, and select the Typing page to activate autocorrect and spellcheck features. Users can also monitor typing statistics and manage a custom dictionary through the Privacy & security settings. For specific applications, users can enable spelling features in Notepad by accessing settings and toggling spell check, in Microsoft Edge by enabling grammar assistance in the settings menu, in Outlook by adjusting editor settings, and in Microsoft 365 apps by checking proofing options in the app settings.

Winsage

August 27, 2024

10 features you probably didn’t know about Notepad for Windows 11

Windows 11 has updated Notepad with new features, including: 1. Spell check and autocorrect: Highlights errors and fixes common typos, applicable only to text files. 2. Change font size and style: Users can customize font settings through the Settings menu. 3. Find and replace: Allows quick text modifications, though it doesn't support advanced regular expressions. 4. Enable word wrap: Automatically moves text to the next line when it reaches the edge of the window. 5. Change startup behavior: Users can choose to start a new session or resume the last session. 6. Change text alignment: Supports right-to-left text alignment for specific languages. 7. Switch color mode: Users can select dark mode or follow system settings for the interface. 8. Insert time shortcut: Typing .LOG on the first line automatically inserts a timestamp. 9. Disable status bar: Users can hide the status bar through the View menu.

Winsage

July 10, 2024

The latest Windows update means Notepad might now be my favourite word processor

Notepad in Windows 11 has been transformed into a reliable offline word processor with features like tabbed browsing, word wrapping, and spell check. Users prefer its simplicity and familiarity for everyday tasks, and hope for future enhancements like seamless device integration and the ability to paste screenshots directly into Notepad.

Winsage

July 10, 2024

Windows Notepad Text Editor Gets Spell Check After 41 Years

- New spell-check feature in Notepad works similarly to word processors - Autocorrect option available to fix common typing errors - Users can toggle spell check and autocorrect features off in settings - Spell check automatically disabled for certain file types - Notepad has received other updates with Windows 11 - Microsoft is retiring WordPad in favor of enhancing Notepad - Addition of spell check and autocorrect is a significant milestone for Notepad - Generally positive response to the new features

Winsage

July 9, 2024

Microsoft silently incorporates these features into Windows Notepad after 41 years

Microsoft introduced an upgraded Notepad application with integrated spellchecking in March of this year.

Winsage

July 9, 2024

Windows Notepad finally gets spell check after 41 years

Notepad, a text editor by Microsoft, has finally received a significant upgrade after more than four decades, adding spell check and auto-correct features.