Microsoft Unveils AI-Powered Upgrades for Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool
May 23, 2025
Microsoft is transforming its Notepad text editor by integrating generative AI features, marking a significant shift from its previous status as a neglected tool.
By late 2021, updates for Notepad were infrequent, but as of May 23, 2025, users can expect a range of new functionalities.
The accessibility of advanced AI features is available to both free and paid users, broadening their reach.
These updates collectively aim to streamline content creation by allowing AI to perform routine tasks, reducing the need for manual input.
The Snipping Tool has been upgraded with a Perfect Screenshot feature that automatically edits and resizes screen captures, although this feature is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.
These AI features will initially be rolled out to Windows Insiders users before becoming widely available.
As these features roll out to a wider audience in the coming months, they promise to redefine user interaction with Windows, making tasks more intuitive and efficient.
The Snipping Tool has improved annotation and sharing capabilities, with enhanced shape recognition and AI features that suggest edits based on the captured image content.
The updates to Paint position it as a lightweight alternative to more complex design software, appealing to graphic designers and social media content creators.
Microsoft is enhancing Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool with new AI features, available primarily to users with Copilot+ PCs.
A new welcome experience in Paint provides users with an overview of the app's features, aimed at enhancing user familiarity and exploration.
No official release date has been provided for the general availability of these features, but a wider rollout is expected later in 2025.
Summary based on 17 sources
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Sources

The Verge • May 22, 2025
Microsoft Notepad can now write for you using generative AI
Ars Technica • May 22, 2025
In 3.5 years, Notepad.exe has gone from “barely maintained” to “it writes for you”
