text extractor Archives

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft Photos Can Relight Your Images

Microsoft has introduced new features for Windows 11 and its Copilot+ PCs, along with AI-ready Surface hardware. Key enhancements include: - Photos App: A relight feature for adding digital light sources, auto presets, and manual adjustments; new object selection capabilities in Paint; and improvements to the Snipping Tool with a text extractor and color picker. - Recall Feature: Helps users find content by retracing steps and describing memories, with strong privacy controls. - Improved Windows Search: Allows conversational queries with AI interpreting context for relevant results, aided by specialized chips in Copilot+ PCs. - Click to Do: Streamlines workflows with contextual shortcuts for actions within a single application. - Surface for Business Copilot+ PCs: Introduction of a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface laptop featuring Snapdragon X Plus processors and advanced security tools. - Surface Laptop for Business: A 13-inch model with a thinner profile, anti-reflective touch screens, and an AI-enhanced camera. - Surface Pro for Business: A 12-inch versatile device that transitions between laptop and tablet modes, featuring an adjustable kickstand. - Availability: Software updates will start in April 2025, while new Surface devices will ship from July 22 in select markets.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft will soon allow AI to change your Windows 11 settings

Microsoft is introducing a new AI assistant within the Windows 11 settings app, designed to assist users by adjusting settings upon request and providing guidance on tasks. The AI assistant will be positioned at the top of the Settings app and will have the ability to autonomously adjust settings with user approval. It is currently available on Copilot+ PCs and will soon roll out to Windows Insiders on standard x86-powered systems, though an official release date for all Windows 11 users has not yet been announced. Additionally, the Photos app will receive new dynamic lighting controls, the Snipping Tool will feature an improved cropping area, a text extractor, and a color picker. AI integration will also extend to File Explorer, allowing users to engage with files through AI actions. A significant update called Copilot Vision will enable users to share browser and app windows with Copilot for enhanced assistance. These features will first be tested through the Windows Insider program before being released to the general public.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft Reveals New Windows 11 Start Menu and Upcoming Copilot+ Features

Microsoft has announced upcoming features for Windows 11, including a redesigned Start Menu, enhancements to Click to Do, and improvements in Windows Search. Key features for Windows Insiders using Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs include an AI Agent in Settings, new Click to Do actions for scheduling and messaging, dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a Paint sticker generator, object selection in Paint, an improved Snipping tool, and rich image descriptions in Narrator. Additional features for all Windows Insiders include a new Start Menu with a phone companion sidebar, AI actions in File Explorer, updates to Notepad, Copilot improvements, and a Microsoft Store AI Hub. Notably, Copilot+ PC experiences will not be available in all markets until later, with some features expected to arrive in the European Economic Area in 2025.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Windows 11 is about to get a nifty shortcut for copying out all the text from an image

Microsoft is testing a new feature in the preview version 11.2503.27.0 of the Snipping Tool for Windows 11 that allows users to extract text directly from images without taking a screenshot first. By pressing Windows + Shift + S, users can access a capture bar that includes a 'text extractor' option. This feature enables users to extract all visible text or select specific portions manually, with the option to remove line breaks. This enhancement follows similar text extraction capabilities introduced in the Photos app last year.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Using ‘one of Windows 11’s few truly useful AI features’ is about to get easier

Windows 11's Snipping Tool is being updated to include a Text Extractor feature, currently being tested by Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels. This feature allows users to select a screen region to scan for text, which can then be copied easily. The "More options" menu provides additional functionalities, such as removing line breaks or enabling automatic text copying. Microsoft aims to enhance user experience by making this feature more accessible and reducing the number of clicks needed to use it.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Microsoft brings a new text extraction tool to Windows 11

PowerToys has introduced a Text Extractor feature that allows users to extract text from images. Microsoft has now added a similar feature to the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, which includes a dedicated text extractor button in its capture bar. This update enables users to copy text directly from the screen to the clipboard without taking a preliminary screenshot. Currently, the feature is available only to Windows Insiders on the Canary and Dev Channels with version 11.2503.27.0 of the Snipping Tool. Users can initiate text extraction by selecting an area for scanning and can choose to copy specific text or all text at once. Additional options include removing line breaks and automatically copying text to the clipboard. The feature is anticipated to be rolled out to a wider audience in the future.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Microsoft adds a productivity-boosting feature to the Snipping Tool, and I love it

Microsoft has added a text extractor feature to the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, allowing users to extract text from images. This feature is available in the Dev and Canary channels and enables users to select specific image regions to scan for text. Users can manually select text or use a "Copy all text" button. Additional options include removing line breaks and automatically copying text to the clipboard. To use this feature, users must click the "Text Extractor" button in the Snipping Tool. Microsoft’s PowerToys also offers text extraction capabilities for users not on the Dev or Canary channels.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Windows Snipping Tool Lets You Copy Text and Create QR Codes Without Screenshots

Microsoft has released an update to its Snipping Tool, version 11.2503.27.0, which now allows users to extract text directly from their screens without needing to take a screenshot first. Users can activate the Text Extractor feature using a keyboard shortcut and select the area for text extraction, with an animation highlighting the selection. The update also includes a QR code generator for sharing extracted text, options for automatic text copying, and removal of line breaks. The new Text Extractor improves upon the previous Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature by streamlining the text copying process. However, some users may find it requires an additional step compared to directly using the scan tool.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Text extractor in Snipping Tool begins rolling out to Windows Insiders

The Snipping Tool (version 11.2503.27.0) in Windows 11 has introduced a new feature called the text extractor, located in the capture bar. This feature allows users to copy text directly to the clipboard without taking a screenshot first. Users can access the tool by opening the Snipping Tool with the shortcut Win + Shift + S or by launching the app directly. The text extractor enables users to select an area to scan for text, manually select text, or use the "Copy all text" button. Additional options include removing line breaks and automatically copying text to the clipboard, which also closes the Snipping Tool. Feedback can be submitted through the Feedback Hub under Apps > Snipping Tool.