Windows Notepad Now Powered by AI — Here’s What You Need to Know
Microsoft integrates Copilot AI into Notepad, launching the Write tool to generate and edit text. Users can accept, reject or turn off AI in settings.
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Microsoft on Wednesday integrated its Copilot AI into Notepad, rolling out a new feature called "Write" that generates text in response to user prompts.
Users must sign in with a Microsoft account, place the cursor where they want to add content and select "Write" from the Copilot menu. The AI then produces draft text that users can accept, reject or revise, and can be disabled in settings.
The move expands Microsoft’s effort to embed Copilot across Windows applications. Critics question the choice, since Notepad has served as a basic tool for quick notes and formatting cleanup for decades. WordPad, a more feature-rich editor, was retired earlier this year.
Microsoft first brought AI to Notepad in November 2024 through a "Rewrite" option, which adjusted tone, format or length of existing text. The new capabilities mark a further shift for an app that largely went unchanged since its introduction in Windows 1.0.
At the same time, Microsoft unveiled a streamlined command-line editor aimed at users who prefer minimal interfaces. The juxtaposition highlights Microsoft’s dual strategy: enhancing legacy apps with AI while offering lightweight alternatives.
Paint, another long-standing Windows app, also received AI tools. New features include a sticker generator, smart selection that isolates image segments and an onboarding guide that outlines the functionality.
Some users argue that Microsoft is prioritizing AI embellishments over core improvements such as bug fixes and performance updates. They say resources might be better spent stabilizing software rather than adding AI to every app.
