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

Hello Windows Insiders, today marks the beginning of an exciting rollout of updates for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad, specifically for users in the Canary and Dev Channels of Windows 11.

Paint (version 11.2504.451.0)

This latest update introduces three innovative features designed to enhance your creative journey. First up is the sticker generator, an AI-driven tool that empowers you to craft custom stickers simply by typing a prompt. To embark on this creative adventure, click the Sticker generator button located in the Copilot menu. Enter a description, such as “a cat wearing sunglasses,” and hit the Generate button. Paint will then produce a unique collection of stickers tailored to your request. You can easily apply any sticker to your canvas, copy it for use in other applications, or save it for future projects. Access your recently generated stickers through the new Stickers option in the Paint toolbar.

Paint showing a cat with sunglasses.

Next, we’re excited to unveil the object select feature, a smart selection tool that utilizes AI to help you isolate and edit individual elements within your images. Simply click on the Object select tool in the toolbar, pinpoint the elements you wish to modify, and make edits with ease.

Paint showing colorful fish swimming in the water and Object Select highlighting the image.

Note that the sticker generator and object select features are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. To access the sticker generator, signing in with your Microsoft account is required.

Lastly, we are introducing a new welcome experience in Paint, designed to guide users through the app’s latest features. This dialog provides a concise overview of what’s possible in Paint, serving as a helpful starting point for both newcomers and seasoned users. You can close it at any time and revisit it later by clicking the megaphone icon in the top-right corner of the toolbar.

Paint showing the welcome experience highlighting the new features to explore in Paint.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Paint.

Snipping Tool (version 11.2504.38.0)

This update brings two new features to the Snipping Tool: perfect screenshot and color picker. The perfect screenshot feature, powered by AI, allows you to capture content on your screen with precision, eliminating the need for post-capture cropping or resizing on your Copilot+ PC. To utilize this feature, invoke the Snipping Tool capture toolbar either from within the app or by using the Print Screen keyboard shortcut. Select the Perfect screenshot button while in rectangle mode and start selecting a region of your screen. Once activated, the tool intelligently resizes based on the content in your selection. You can also quickly enable this feature by holding the Ctrl key while making your selection.

Snipping Tool’s screen capture and perfect screenshot capturing a specific area of the screen.

Additionally, the new color picker feature allows you to capture more detailed information from your screen. To start, invoke the Snipping Tool capture toolbar and select Color picker. You can then inspect or select a color code on your screen, choosing from HEX, RGB, or HSL values. For greater precision, zoom in by scrolling or using the Ctrl +/- keyboard shortcuts. This feature is particularly beneficial for designers, developers, and anyone needing to match colors for their projects.

Snipping Tool’s color picker tool selecting a color on the screen to inspect.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Snipping Tool.

Notepad (version 11.2504.46.0)

Notepad using the AI write feature to highlight text.

This update introduces a remarkable new feature in Notepad that harnesses the power of generative AI to assist users in writing new content. The write feature allows you to quickly draft text based on your prompts, making it easier to start from scratch or expand upon existing content with AI support. To utilize this feature, place your cursor where you want to insert new text or select existing content as a reference. Right-click and choose Write, select it from the Copilot menu, or use the Ctrl + Q keyboard shortcut. Enter your instruction in the dialog and click Send. The AI-generated output will appear directly on your canvas.

You have the option to select Keep text to add it to your document or Discard it if it doesn’t meet your needs. You can also refine the output further by entering follow-up prompts, allowing for an evolving draft process. If you prefer not to use AI features, you can disable them in the app settings.

To access the write feature, signing in with your Microsoft account is necessary. Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Enterprise, and Copilot Pro subscribers will be able to use AI credits for this functionality. For more information on AI credits, please refer to the relevant resources.

FEEDBACK: Please share your feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Notepad.

As always, we appreciate the community’s feedback and eagerly await your thoughts and suggestions regarding these updates!

Thanks,
Dave Grochocki, Principal Group Product Manager – Windows Inbox Apps

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