Microsoft has started adding several new and interesting features to Paint and Notepad for Windows 11 users. These updates are currently available to testers in the Windows Insider Program’s Canary and Dev channels, but they will be rolled out to all users in the coming months. A key highlight is the extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in these new features.
The most talked-about feature is the new AI Colouring Book in Microsoft Paint. This feature allows users to create their own coloring pages simply by typing text. When a user opens Paint and selects the Colouring Book option, a text box appears.
By typing the desired prompt, the AI automatically generates simple line art, similar to a children’s coloring book. Users can then color this art digitally or print it out and color it by hand. However, this feature will only be available on Copilot+ PCs and requires signing in with a Microsoft account.
According to Microsoft’s official blog, another small but useful update in Paint is the Fill Tolerance Slider. This allows users to control how precisely the Fill Tool fills in colors. By adjusting the slider, users can fill in smaller or larger areas, making it easier to create detailed artwork.
New AI Features in Notepad
Notepad has also been made significantly smarter with this update. Microsoft has improved Markdown support, adding features like strikethrough and nested lists, which can be used via keyboard shortcuts, the toolbar, or directly with Markdown syntax. A new Welcome Experience has also been added to Notepad, providing information about the new features upon opening the app.
Notepad’s AI features, such as Write, Rewrite, and Summarize, have also been made faster. The results now appear as a streaming preview, meaning users don’t have to wait for the entire text to be generated. These AI features work on both local devices and the cloud, but they will still require logging in with a Microsoft account.