Microsoft is expanding the reach of artificial intelligence to two of its most enduring software applications: Paint and Notepad. Currently being tested with Windows Insiders, the updates represent a strategic effort by the tech giant to weave AI functionality throughout the Windows 11 operating system-transforming long-familiar tools into platforms for experimentation with emerging technologies. The enhancements, which include an AI-powered “Coloring book” feature for Paint and real-time assistance in Notepad, signal a broader industry shift toward embedding AI into everyday software for both casual and professional users.
Microsoft is bringing artificial intelligence to some of its most iconic and long-standing applications: Paint and Notepad. The updates, currently being tested with Windows Insiders, signal a broader strategy to embed AI throughout the Windows 11 operating system, transforming familiar tools into testing grounds for new features.
For decades, Paint and Notepad have remained largely unchanged, serving as basic utilities for millions of Windows users. Now, Microsoft aims to inject a new level of functionality powered by AI, making these programs more versatile and accessible.
Paint leverages AI to generate coloring books
Paint, a new coloring software? – Source Microsoft
Perhaps the most surprising addition is a new feature called “Coloring book,” accessible through the Copilot menu. This tool allows users to automatically generate coloring pages from simple text prompts. By describing a scene – an animal, a landscape, or an imaginary object – the application creates several black-and-white illustrations ready for coloring or printing.
This functionality demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to making AI accessible in everyday applications, even for families and casual users. The coloring book generator appeals to both children and those who enjoy simple graphic creations.
Paint is also receiving a more subtle but highly anticipated update: a tolerance slider for the fill tool. This allows for finer control over how color spreads within an area, offering greater precision when coloring or retouching images.
Notepad gains maturity with Copilot integration
Microsoft’s Notepad boosted by AI – Source Microsoft
Notepad is also evolving into a more versatile text editor. When a user requests a rephrasing, draft, or summary, the generated text now appears progressively, reducing wait times, whether processing is done locally or in the cloud. This update signals Microsoft’s focus on improving the user experience with real-time AI assistance.
The application is also enhancing its Markdown support, with the addition of strikethrough text and nested lists, catering to developers and advanced users. A new welcome screen has also been introduced, highlighting the latest features and making them easier to discover.
A deliberate strategy for Windows 11
These updates reflect Microsoft’s ambition to move beyond specialized AI applications and integrate AI as a core layer throughout Windows, as the company previously announced. By incorporating AI into Paint and Notepad, Microsoft is transforming universally used tools into testing environments, experimenting with segmentation between features accessible to all and experiences reserved for specific configurations, with some new features limited to PC Copilot+ devices.
The move underscores the growing trend of tech companies embedding AI into everyday software, aiming to make the technology more intuitive and accessible to a wider audience.
