Windows Notepad Archives

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Windows 11 now lets you remove unwanted Microsoft apps natively

Microsoft is preparing to release a significant update for Windows 11, designated as 25H2, which will include a new feature that allows users to easily remove unwanted Microsoft applications through a group policy. This update aims to enhance system performance by reducing clutter. Users will be able to remove applications such as Feedback Hub, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Teams, and others without needing external tools or complex commands. The feature is expected to debut with the Windows 11 25H2 update, and currently, select users can test it in preview builds. It will allow the removal of standard Microsoft Store packages but will not extend to third-party software. There is uncertainty about whether this feature will be available to Windows 11 Home users or limited to the Pro version.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 has a new option to remove all unwanted Microsoft apps

The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update will introduce a new policy called the Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages, which allows users to remove unwanted Microsoft applications in a single action through Group Policy. This feature aims to simplify the process of debloating Windows 11, which has historically been cumbersome. Users can find this setting under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment. The policy currently supports the removal of various Microsoft applications but does not extend to third-party software. While initial tests show the policy functions as intended, further refinement is needed to address issues like orphaned shortcuts. This feature will not be available to Windows 11 Home users.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Microsoft releases a bold new update for Notepad

Microsoft is updating its Windows Notepad app with new text formatting options, including bold and italic styling, hyperlinks, lists, and Markdown support. This update is currently available to testers in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. A new formatting toolbar has been added at the top of the application, allowing easy access to these features. Users can toggle between formatted Markdown and Markdown syntax views. Notepad retains its plain text functionality, and users can clear formatting or disable the new features in the app settings. This update follows the introduction of an AI-powered Write function, enhancing Notepad's capabilities.

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 25, 2025

5 Windows tools and apps you can’t find on other operating systems

Certain features remain exclusive to the Windows operating system, offering unique functionalities not available on Mac or Linux. Microsoft has developed tools like PowerToys, which includes nearly 20 utilities enhancing Windows functionality, and Windows Sandbox, providing a secure environment for testing applications. Windows Notepad serves as a basic note-taking and coding app with features like spellcheck and autocorrect. The Snipping Tool allows users to capture screenshots and extract text from images, while the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) enables seamless access to both Windows and Linux environments. These tools are designed to enhance productivity and provide significant advantages for Windows users.

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 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

March 4, 2025

I told Windows Notepad’s new AI to turn Nvidia’s fail into poetry

Microsoft has introduced AI-powered rewrite capabilities in Notepad, now available to all users after testing. This feature, accessible via a "magic pen" icon for Microsoft 365 subscribers, allows users to refine and transform existing text rather than generate new content. Users can copy and paste text into Notepad, highlight it, and request rewrites in various styles, including simplification, length alteration, and tone changes. The feature also offers formatting options such as lists, business memos, academic pieces, marketing content, or poems. A settings menu allows users to disable the Rewrite function, and using it consumes AI credits from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Performance may vary, with some builds providing only cosmetic edits, while stable versions have received positive feedback for effectively simplifying complex articles.

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

You have to pay for Windows Notepad if you want to use AI

Microsoft has introduced AI features to Notepad, prompting users to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to access functionalities like Rewrite. While the basic functions of Notepad remain free, AI-powered features require a subscription. Users have expressed confusion over subscription prompts that disrupt the user experience. Notepad continues to operate without a Microsoft account, but accessing Rewrite requires "AI credits," which necessitate a subscription. Initially, Microsoft provided 50 credits for users to try Rewrite, but these credits have since expired for many. Microsoft describes Rewrite and other AI features as "bonus features," but the subscription prompts have raised concerns about user experience, especially following a price increase for Microsoft 365.