Windows 11 Insider Update: Paint gets .paint, Snipping Tool quick markup, Notepad AI

Microsoft has started pushing a fresh wave of updates to three of Windows 11’s most familiar built‑in apps — Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad — to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, and the changes are both practical and strategic: Paint gains a proper editable project format and finer brush control, Snipping Tool adds a faster in‑capture markup workflow, and Notepad expands its on‑device AI toolkit for Copilot+ PCs. These changes arrive as Microsoft continues to weave local and cloud AI into core Windows experiences while balancing feature gating across device classes and Insider channels. (blogs.windows.com)

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Background​

Microsoft has steadily modernized its inbox apps over the past two years, moving beyond cosmetic refreshes toward deeper functional changes: AI features for image editing in Paint, richer capture and annotation workflows in Snipping Tool, and generative writing tools inside Notepad. Those earlier updates set the stage for this September rollout, which consolidates smaller usability wins (opacity sliders, in‑capture markups, recent files) with bolder moves (an editable Paint project file format and local AI models on Copilot+ hardware). Community thread archives and previous Insider posts show this is part of a longer evolution rather than a one‑off push.
Why this matters now: Microsoft is shipping more AI features into everyday apps while also introducing device‑level differentiation (Copilot+ PCs) that affects where and how those features run — local model inference on capable hardware versus cloud calls that may require Microsoft account sign‑in or AI credits. The changes reported on September 17, 2025, are both user‑facing improvements and a testbed for broader Copilot integration across Windows. (blogs.windows.com)

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What Microsoft announced (quick summary)​

• Paint (version 11.2508.361.0): Adds a .paint project file save/load workflow and an opacity slider for Pencil and Brush tools. These two items are aimed at making Paint behave more like an entry‑level layered editor with non‑destructive workflows. (blogs.windows.com)
• Snipping Tool (version 11.2508.24.0): Introduces Quick markup, a faster in‑capture annotation toolbar that lets you mark up screenshots before finalizing the capture (pen, highlighter, eraser, shapes, emojis), with quick access to Share, Visual Search with Bing, and Ask Copilot actions. (blogs.windows.com)
• Notepad (version 11.2508.28.0): Expands AI features to include Summarize, Write, and Rewrite with support for local models on Copilot+ PCs (English only at launch), enabling use without a subscription on supported hardware while still allowing cloud model switching for subscribed users. (blogs.windows.com)

These are rolling out gradually to Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels; availability will vary by channel, device, and account state. (blogs.windows.com)

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Paint deep dive: project files, opacity, and what it means for creators​

What changed in Paint (version 11.2508.361.0)​

• Save as a project file (.paint) so your canvas including layers and nondestructive edits can be reopened and continued later.
• New opacity slider for Pencil and Brush tools on the left side of the canvas so strokes can be semi‑transparent without fiddling with global layer opacity. (blogs.windows.com)

Why the project file matters​

Until recently, modern Paint added layers and richer brushes but lacked a native project container to persist layer state between sessions. A native .paint project format is a significant convenience for hobbyists and students who sketch drafts and want to resume work without exporting and reimporting layers manually.
Practical benefits:

• Faster iterative workflows: open a .paint file and resume editing where you left off.
• Better layer fidelity: preserves layer ordering, opacity, and (presumably) metadata that a flattened PNG/JPEG cannot.
• Easier sharing within a workflow: designers can hand off unfinished work without losing editability.

Caveats and unknowns:

• Microsoft has not published technical specs for the .paint container (compression, interchange format, backward compatibility), so interchange with third‑party apps or long‑term archival behavior is not yet verified. Treat assumptions about cross‑app compatibility as unconfirmed until Microsoft publishes format details. (blogs.windows.com)

The opacity slider: small but practical​

Adding per‑tool opacity transforms brushes from binary stamps into more expressive tools for shading and glazing. Combined with size controls and existing layer support, Paint is moving closer to what digital sketching workflows expect from an entry‑level raster editor.

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Snipping Tool breakdown: Quick markup and workflow acceleration​

What Quick markup does (version 11.2508.24.0)​

• Adds a Quick markup toggle to the capture toolbar (Ctrl+E), enabling immediate annotation in the selection region before the capture is finalized.
• In‑capture toolbar offers pen, highlighter, eraser, shapes, and emojis; selection can be re‑cropped using perimeter grabbers.
• Integrations: Share, Visual Search with Bing, and Ask Copilot buttons are available directly from the Quick markup flow (note: selecting those may prevent the image from going to the clipboard or being autosaved). (blogs.windows.com)

Why it helps​

Traditional screenshots were a two‑step process: capture → open app → markup → save/share. Quick markup collapses annotation into the capture step, which is especially useful for:

• Documentation authors who frequently annotate UI screenshots.
• Support agents and community moderators who need fast redaction and markup.
• Users on tablets/pen devices who want immediate inking without leaving the capture overlay.

Limitations and behavior notes​

• If you use the Share/Visual Search/Ask Copilot actions from Quick markup, the blog notes the image may not be copied to the clipboard or autosaved — that’s deliberate and worth noting for people who expect the standard clipboard behavior. (blogs.windows.com)
• Availability will be staggered based on Insider channel, device, and telemetry. Expect a phased rollout rather than instant global availability.

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Notepad: local AI on Copilot+ PCs and the new writing features​

What’s new in Notepad (version 11.2508.28.0)​

• Adds Summarize, Write, and Rewrite features accessible from the right‑click menu, Copilot menu, or keyboard shortcuts.
• On Copilot+ PCs (hardware equipped for local model inference), Notepad will run these generative tasks locally without a subscription; subscribed users can switch between local and cloud models. These AI features are English‑only at launch. (blogs.windows.com)

Cross‑checking the claim​

Independent tech coverage and Microsoft support documentation align on the broader Notepad AI rollout: Notepad has been incrementally getting Rewrite and Summarize features since late 2024 and early 2025, and Microsoft has repeatedly described both local and cloud model options across Copilot experiences. The Verge and Microsoft support pages echo that some AI features can run locally on capable hardware while others require sign in or AI credits if using cloud models. (theverge.com)

Practical uses and UX expectations​

• Summarize: condense long logs, transcripts, or research notes into shorter summaries with selectable length options.
• Write: generate new text from prompts (e.g., draft an email, expand a bullet list).
• Rewrite: rephrase text with tone and length controls and offer multiple variations.

These features are intended to be in‑place editing tools rather than full authoring replacements — they give users a way to speed up drafting and editing without leaving Notepad.

Account, credits, and regional notes​

• Local use on Copilot+ hardware: Microsoft’s blog specifically calls out local model usage without subscription for Copilot+ PCs; that’s a meaningful divergence from previous cloud‑first behavior. (blogs.windows.com)
• Microsoft’s support pages and prior blog posts show AI credits and subscription gating remain in the ecosystem for cloud model usage and some markets. If you expect cloud AI behavior (or rely on credits), verify account/subscription status and regional restrictions. (support.microsoft.com)

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Cross‑validation and independent reporting​

The core claims in Microsoft’s September 17, 2025 announcement are corroborated by multiple independent outlets and documentation:

• The Windows Insider Blog entry is the authoritative announcement and lists exact versions and feature descriptions. (blogs.windows.com)
• Coverage in broader tech media (including The Verge) corroborates Notepad’s addition of generative tools like Write and Paint’s AI evolution while framing the changes as part of Microsoft’s gradual AI push. (theverge.com)
• Microsoft support and earlier Insider posts document the AI features and detail account/credit mechanics, which helps clarify which features are local versus cloud‑backed. (support.microsoft.com)

Where reporting diverges or details remain thin:

• Third‑party coverage often highlights feature intent but stops short of reproducing exact version numbers and gating criteria; for these specifics the Windows Insider Blog is authoritative. Treat speculative statements about broader availability windows, pricing, or enterprise policy as provisional until Microsoft publishes formal guidance. (blogs.windows.com)

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Privacy, security, and enterprise implications​

These updates sharpen three policy‑level questions enterprises and privacy‑conscious users should watch:

• Local inference vs cloud calls: local models on Copilot+ PCs reduce data exfiltration risk because prompts and content can stay on device, but the feature is hardware‑gated to specific Copilot+ devices. Enterprises should confirm which devices in their fleet qualify and whether local model deployment meets compliance needs. (blogs.windows.com)
• Account and telemetry: some AI features still require a Microsoft account or AI credits when routed through cloud services. Admins should be aware that signing into a Microsoft account can change behavior and data flow. Microsoft’s Support documentation and prior Insider posts make this clear. (support.microsoft.com)
• Auditability and content retention: features that integrate with Visual Search, Copilot queries, or Share actions may surface content to other services. If you need strict audit trails or to ensure on‑device only processing, verify model routing preferences and device capabilities before enabling features widely.

Practical mitigation steps for IT:

• Inventory Copilot+ hardware in your organization and decide where to allow local model workloads.
• Update acceptable use policies to reflect AI features in inbox apps and set guidance for account usage.
• Use group‑policy or Intune controls where available to manage what app features are exposed and whether users can toggle AI features.

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How to get the updates (Insider checklist)​

If you’re a Windows Insider on Canary/Dev and want to try the features, here’s a short checklist:

• Ensure your device is enrolled in the Windows Insider Program and set to the Canary or Dev Channel.
• Check Windows Update and update the inbox apps via the Microsoft Store (app version numbers per the blog: Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, Notepad 11.2508.28.0). (blogs.windows.com)
• Sign in to a Microsoft account if you plan to use cloud AI features; for local Notepad AI on Copilot+ PCs, verify your device is Copilot+ certified. (blogs.windows.com)
• Give feedback via Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under the respective app categories to help shape the rollout. (blogs.windows.com)

Note: not every Insider will see these features immediately — Microsoft stages rollouts and gates based on telemetry, device type, and region.

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Strengths and notable improvements​

• Incremental UX wins with outsized utility: Quick markup in Snipping Tool reduces friction for a common task, and an opacity slider in Paint addresses a longtime usability gap.
• Non‑destructive editing: Paint’s .paint project file is a genuinely helpful feature for iterative art workflows and aligns Paint with user expectations from other layered editors.
• Local AI availability: letting Notepad run Summarize/Write/Rewrite on‑device for Copilot+ PCs is a pragmatic balance between delivering AI convenience and keeping sensitive content local.
• Consolidation of features: Microsoft is converging Copilot, visual search, and in‑app AI into a more unified set of interactions across basic apps, simplifying the user mental model.

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Risks, limitations, and what to watch​

• Device and regional fragmentation: local AI capabilities are gated by Copilot+ hardware; cloud features are gated by accounts and credits. Expect confusion among users on mixed fleets or non‑Copilot devices. (blogs.windows.com)
• File format transparency: the .paint container lacks public technical documentation today — power users and enterprises that require interoperability should be cautious until Microsoft publishes file format details. (blogs.windows.com)
• Privacy expectations: default share/search actions from Quick markup may not copy content to the clipboard or autosave; users who assume clipboard behavior may misplace images unintentionally. (blogs.windows.com)
• Model behavior and hallucination risk: generative features (Write, Rewrite, Summarize) can sometimes present plausible but inaccurate outputs. Users should review AI‑generated content carefully, especially in professional contexts. Microsoft’s incremental approach (summarize/rewrite) helps reduce risk but does not eliminate it. (support.microsoft.com)

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Verdict: practical evolution, not revolution​

This September rollout is evolutionary rather than revolutionary: Microsoft focused on making everyday workflows smoother (Quick markup, opacity slider, recent files) and on hardening longer‑term product capabilities (project file support and local AI for capable hardware). For Windows Insiders the changes are useful and low‑risk; for enterprises the most important questions will be about device qualification, data flow, and how to manage feature exposure across employee devices.
The combination of small ergonomic wins with strategic AI placement (local models on Copilot+ PCs, cloud switching for subscribed users) shows Microsoft is aiming for differentiated value across hardware tiers while still letting mainstream users benefit from incremental app improvements. The .paint project file and local Notepad models are the two items with the highest potential for altering daily workflows; keep an eye on official documentation for the .paint format and on Microsoft’s enterprise guidance for Copilot+ hardware certification and deployment.

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Final notes and practical recommendations​

• If you rely on Paint for serious image work, start using the .paint project files but archive exports to PNG/JPEG as a parallel fallback until format documentation and interchangeability are confirmed. (blogs.windows.com)
• If you manage a fleet, identify which devices are Copilot+ capable and pilot Notepad’s local AI there first; that will show you whether the on‑device models meet your privacy and compliance needs. (blogs.windows.com)
• For power users who share screenshots regularly, trial the Snipping Tool Quick markup workflow and adapt any automation that assumes clipboard capture — the Quick markup share behavior changes how captures are delivered. (blogs.windows.com)

These updates are rolling to Insiders now; Microsoft will likely refine behavior and expand availability based on feedback from the Canary and Dev channels. Experiment on test machines, file feedback to the Feedback Hub, and monitor official documentation for format and enterprise‑policy updates. (blogs.windows.com)

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Microsoft’s steady cadence of incremental improvements shows how even the smallest apps can be meaningful battlegrounds for AI and usability. For users and IT pros alike, the key is to test, tune policies, and treat generative features as assistants — helpful, but not infallible.

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Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad app updates begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft is rolling out a fresh set of updates to three of Windows 11’s most ubiquitous utilities—Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad—to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, delivering both small UX wins and consequential AI features that shift how everyday creation and capture workflows behave. The official Windows Insider announcement spells out the details: Paint advances with editable project files and an opacity slider, Snipping Tool adds a Quick markup experience that speeds on‑the‑spot edits, and Notepad expands its AI toolkit on Copilot+ machines with Summarize, Write, and Rewrite features that can run locally without a subscription on supported hardware. (blogs.windows.com)

Background / Overview​

Microsoft has steadily turned its once-basic inbox apps into a testing ground for wider Windows UI, AI, and service strategies. Paint and Snipping Tool, historically simple utilities, have been gradually rebuilt to include richer editing, annotations, and AI-powered workflows; Notepad, long the canonical minimal text editor, has been transformed into an entry point for generative AI features. These changes are being shipped incrementally to Windows Insiders so Microsoft can monitor telemetry and feedback before a broader rollout. The September 17, 2025 Insider post is the latest staged update in that multi‑year evolution. (blogs.windows.com)

• The rollout is staged and targeted to Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels first.
• Features are gated by channel, device capability (e.g., Copilot+ hardware), and Microsoft’s controlled feature‑flight systems.
• Some features rely on cloud models and subscriptions historically, but Microsoft is increasingly supporting local AI model execution on compatible Copilot+ PCs. (blogs.windows.com)

This article breaks down the changes app‑by‑app, evaluates what they mean for power users and enterprises, verifies the technical claims against independent reporting, and highlights privacy, compatibility, and deployment risks Insiders and IT administrators should consider.

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Paint: project files and an opacity slider​

What’s new in Paint (version 11.2508.361.0)​

Microsoft lists two headline features for Paint in this flight:

• Project files (.paint) — You can now save an editable Paint project that preserves layers, state, and edits so you can reopen and resume work exactly where you left off. The new Save as project command places a .paint file in your chosen File Explorer location and reopens it in Paint with the previous state intact. (blogs.windows.com)
• Opacity slider for Pencil and Brush tools — A UI slider on the left side of the canvas lets you change stroke transparency, enabling smoother blends and layered painting techniques without relying on third‑party editors. (blogs.windows.com)

Why this matters​

For users who use Paint for quick sketches, concept art, or annotation work, these changes make Paint behave more like a lightweight image editor or simple raster workstation:

• Project files remove the friction of exporting to PSD or PNG and losing layer or undo state. They make Paint more practical for iterative creative tasks where a session needs to be preserved.
• Opacity control dramatically improves the expressiveness of the Pencil and Brush tools, moving Paint beyond single‑layer, flat editing toward more layered, painterly workflows.

These are incremental but strategic changes: Microsoft is acknowledging that some users expect more sustained editing sessions from a previously “disposable” app.

Technical verification and caveats​

The Windows Insider post explicitly names the version (11.2508.361.0) and the exact behaviors for Save as project and the opacity slider. Independent coverage and earlier Insider posts indicate Paint has been receiving regular AI and editor improvements over the past year, so these changes are consistent with that direction. The Windows Insider post confirms the features described above and shows sample UI screenshots demonstrating Save as project and opacity adjustment. (blogs.windows.com)
Caveat: The new project format is Microsoft’s proprietary container for Paint state. There is no mention of cross‑app import/export compatibility (for example, exporting layered content to PSD) in the blog post. Users should treat .paint files as Paint‑native and back up final assets in standard formats (PNG, JPG) when necessary.

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Snipping Tool: Quick markup speeds capture-to-edit flows​

What’s new in Snipping Tool (version 11.2508.24.0)​

Snipping Tool’s update centers on Quick markup:

• Quick markup adds an inline toolbar you can enable before taking a snip (or via the Ctrl + E shortcut). With Quick markup on, after making your selection the app opens a compact editing area within the selection boundary so you can apply pens, highlighters, shapes, emojis, and small redactions before the screenshot is finalized. The selection can be recropped with grabbers; Share, Visual Search, and Ask Copilot buttons are available but will not autosave or copy the image to the clipboard unless you choose. (blogs.windows.com)

How this changes workflows​

• Faster edits — Quick markup eliminates the extra step of opening the full Snipping Tool editor or a separate image app to apply quick annotations. That reduces friction for tasks like callouts, small redactions, or marking an area for sharing.
• Privacy control — Being able to redact or blur content within the selection before exporting reduces the risk of accidentally sharing sensitive information.
• Integration points — The toolbar ties into Visual Search and Ask Copilot actions; this demonstrates Microsoft’s push to create a seamless capture-to-AI pipeline for image understanding and downstream actions. (blogs.windows.com)

Verification and context​

Microsoft’s installation notes and screenshots in the Insider post confirm the Quick markup UI and behavior, including the keyboard shortcut documentation. There is previous precedent—Snipping Tool has been gaining shape tools, text actions, and window‑mode recording over several earlier Insider flights—so Quick markup is consistent with that incremental UX layering. Community coverage and prior Insider updates show Snipping Tool has been evolving beyond a clipboard snipper into a compact content sink for quick edits and AI queries. (blogs.windows.com)

Limitations and gotchas​

• Controlled rollout: Not all Insiders will see Quick markup immediately; Microsoft gates features by telemetry and device signals.
• Clipboard behavior: When using Share, Visual Search, or Ask Copilot from Quick markup the image is not copied to clipboard or auto‑saved—this is a deliberate tradeoff to prevent leakage, but it will confuse users who expect the classic copy‑to‑clipboard behavior.
• Edge cases: System‑level interactions (like certain Windows updates or differing default app handlers) can interfere with the snipping preview or toast behavior; admins should test on representative devices before wider adoption. (support.microsoft.com)

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Notepad: local AI on Copilot+ PCs, broader AI tooling​

What’s new in Notepad (version 11.2508.28.0)​

Notepad’s September update is significant from an AI standpoint:

• Summarize, Write, and Rewrite features — Notepad expands on previous AI helpers (Summarize, Rewrite) and introduces Write, enabling both generation of new content and editing of existing text.
• Local model support on Copilot+ PCs — The update explicitly supports running AI features locally on Copilot+ hardware without requiring a subscription. Users with a subscription can still switch between local and cloud models. For users without sign‑in or subscription, Notepad falls back to local models to perform the features—Microsoft notes that, for now, these features support English only. (blogs.windows.com)

Why this is a pivotal shift​

• On‑device AI: Running models locally on Copilot+ machines reduces latency, improves privacy (fewer cloud round‑trips), and allows advanced features to be available even when offline. This is a practical demonstration of Microsoft’s hybrid local/cloud AI approach.
• Democratizing AI: By allowing no‑subscription local use on compatible hardware, Microsoft lowers the barrier for testers to try AI features without paying; this differentiates Copilot+ device capabilities from subscription‑only cloud services.
• Productivity inside a tiny app: Notepad, historically a basic editor, becomes a lightweight generative assistant for drafting, summarizing, and rephrasing—useful for quick notes, email drafts, documentation snippets, and more.

Independent reporting corroborates Microsoft’s expansion of Notepad’s AI features and highlights Microsoft’s ongoing experimentation with local vs. cloud models across Windows apps. Coverage from major outlets shows Notepad has been gradually gaining AI features (Summarize, Rewrite) over the past year and now adds Write and local model support on Copilot+ hardware. (theverge.com)

Technical and privacy verification​

The Insider post explicitly says Notepad’s AI features will run locally on Copilot+ PCs without a subscription and that subscribers can choose cloud models for potentially higher capability. This matches independent reporting. However, details on model size, on‑device performance, and explicit hardware requirements (RAM, disk, or SoC specifics) are not enumerated in the post; these are typically determined by Microsoft’s Copilot+ hardware certification and so are left to device specifications. Users should verify their device is Copilot+ certified to expect local AI execution. (blogs.windows.com)

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Deployment, compatibility, and staged rollouts​

Channels and availability​

• Canary and Dev channels are the initial recipients for these app updates. Expect a staged rollout—features will be progressively enabled based on Microsoft’s telemetry and flighting rules. (blogs.windows.com)
• Beta and Release Preview channels may see follow‑on flights or different feature sets depending on testing results.
• Copilot+ device behavior: Notepad’s local model features will only run on Copilot+ certified hardware; cloud fallback available for others. (blogs.windows.com)

How Insiders can test and provide feedback​

• Install the latest app updates via the Microsoft Store or receive them through Windows Update (Insider builds).
• Use the Feedback Hub (Apps > Paint / Snipping Tool / Notepad) to file issues or suggestions—Microsoft explicitly requests Insider feedback in each app announcement. (blogs.windows.com)
• For Notepad AI testers: try Summarize and Write on local vs. cloud models to compare latency, output quality, and edge behavior; document hardware differences when reporting issues.

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Risks, privacy, and enterprise considerations​

Privacy and data routing​

• Notepad’s AI features can operate locally on Copilot+ devices, which reduces cloud exposure, but cloud options remain available. Users and administrators must understand which model is in use for specific queries—local execution preserves privacy better than cloud inference.
• Snipping Tool’s integration with Visual Search and Ask Copilot implies image data may be handed to Bing/AI services when those buttons are used. The Windows Insider entry warns that images invoked via those buttons are not auto‑saved to clipboard, but the backend routing of image data for Visual Search/Copilot requires attention from privacy teams. Organizations should set clear policies for AI feature usage. (blogs.windows.com)

Security and data leakage​

• Quick markup’s default behavior (not auto‑saving or copying images when using Visual Search/Ask Copilot) reduces accidental persistence, but administrators should test interactions that might create cached images or temporary files.
• For enterprise environments, test the new .paint project files for handling in managed storage—if an organization uses file-level DLP or content scanning, ensure .paint files are included in policies.

Model governance and accuracy​

• Local models vary in capability compared to cloud models. For critical content (legal, medical, compliance), outputs from Notepad’s Write or Summarize should be treated as assistive drafts—not final authoritative content—until validated.
• Microsoft’s documentation and press coverage do not list the exact model families or versions used for the local on‑device experience; lack of that detail means organizations should apply standard model governance: clearly label AI‑assisted content, validate outputs, and avoid automation of high‑risk actions without human verification. (theverge.com)

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Practical tips for Insiders and IT admins​

• If you rely on consistent editing workflows, export important Paint projects to a standard format (PNG/PSD alternatives via intermediate tools) in addition to saving the new .paint file until interoperability guarantees exist.
• Test Snipping Tool Quick markup with the Share/Visual Search/Copilot buttons to understand what data flows externally and whether your environment’s proxy or DLP policies interact with these requests.
• For Notepad AI testing on Copilot+ hardware, benchmark local vs cloud performance for representative workloads; measure CPU/SSD/RAM impact, and note any battery or thermal throttling on portable devices.
• Use Feedback Hub to capture precise repro steps and attach system traces where possible; Microsoft values concrete examples when refining these staged features. (blogs.windows.com)

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How this fits into Microsoft’s broader strategy​

Microsoft’s incremental upgrades to Paint and Snipping Tool reflect a consistent strategy: convert basic inbox apps into lightweight, integrated content creation and capture surfaces that lead into Copilot and Bing AI services when needed. Notepad’s move to local model execution on Copilot+ hardware signals a maturation of Microsoft’s hybrid AI approach—enabling offline, low‑latency inference when devices are capable while preserving cloud fallbacks.
Independent outlets have tracked this trajectory across multiple Insider updates: AI features have been appearing in Notepad and Paint over the last year, and Snipping Tool’s evolution into window‑mode recording, shapes, and markup shows Microsoft’s intent to make native tools more capable and discoverable. These latest September 17, 2025 changes are consistent with those earlier flights and underscore Microsoft’s broader ambitions for pervasive AI in Windows while trying to balance privacy and performance commitments. (blogs.windows.com)

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Strengths and notable positives​

• User empowerment: Paint’s project files and Snipping Tool’s inline markup remove friction from common tasks, reducing context switching to external editors.
• Local AI on devices: Notepad’s ability to run generative features locally on Copilot+ PCs without a subscription broadens access and reduces latency and cloud costs.
• Safety-minded defaults: Snipping Tool’s decision to not autosave or copy images when invoking Visual Search or Ask Copilot is a deliberate data‑protection tradeoff that can reduce accidental leaks.
• Incremental, testable rollouts: Staged Insider rollouts let Microsoft iterate quickly while capturing feedback before general availability.

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Risks and potential negatives​

• Proprietary project files: The .paint format locks iterative work into Paint until interoperability is clarified.
• Fragmented experience: Feature availability tied to Insider channel, device certification, and Microsoft’s internal gating can create inconsistent user experiences across teams and devices.
• Opaque local model specs: Microsoft’s post confirms local execution on Copilot+ devices, but lacks granular hardware and model specifications; this complicates IT planning and governance.
• Privacy edge cases: Visual Search and Copilot integrations, while powerful, expand the surface area for data egress—enterprises must audit these interactions.

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Final verdict​

This Insider flight continues Microsoft’s careful transformation of Windows’ inbox apps into a broadly capable, AI‑aware set of tools. Paint’s project file format and opacity control are practical, welcome improvements for creators who need light‑weight editing without a full Photoshop workflow. Snipping Tool’s Quick markup simplifies routine capture tasks and demonstrates a thoughtful UX refinement. Notepad’s expansion into local generative AI on Copilot+ hardware is the most consequential change: it proves Microsoft is serious about hybrid on‑device AI while maintaining cloud options.
However, the concrete implications for privacy, enterprise governance, and cross‑app compatibility require attention. Organizations should pilot these features on representative hardware, verify Copilot+ certification where local AI is required, and update governance documents to account for new data flows from Snipping Tool and Notepad. Insiders should exercise the Feedback Hub and document edge cases to help Microsoft iterate.
For everyday users and power users alike, these updates make Windows’ built‑in tools more capable and more integrated with the Copilot vision—provided the rollout continues to be measured and transparent on model behavior, data routing, and file format interoperability. (blogs.windows.com)

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Conclusion
The September 17, 2025 Insider updates to Paint (11.2508.361.0), Snipping Tool (11.2508.24.0), and Notepad (11.2508.28.0) are incremental on the surface but indicative of a larger shift: Windows is becoming a tighter ecosystem for quick content creation, capture, and generative assistance. Insiders should take advantage of the staged rollouts to evaluate device compatibility, performance, and data governance impacts, and report back through the Feedback Hub so Microsoft can refine the features before broader delivery. (blogs.windows.com)

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Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad app updates begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft's latest Insider flight quietly turns three of Windows 11’s most familiar utilities—Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad—into more capable, workflow‑focused apps by adding editable project files, in‑capture markup, and local AI editing that can run on Copilot+ hardware without a subscription. (blogs.windows.com)

Overview​

Microsoft is rolling out targeted updates to inbox apps for Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels that do more than tweak UI cosmetics: they change how people create, capture, and edit content inside Windows itself. The three headline changes are straightforward but meaningful:

• Paint can now save editable project files (.paint) and offers per‑tool opacity control for pencil and brush tools. (blogs.windows.com)
• Snipping Tool gains Quick Markup, letting you annotate inside the capture flow (before the screenshot is finalized) and then share, run a visual search, or ask Copilot. (blogs.windows.com)
• Notepad adds AI features—Summarize, Write, and Rewrite—that can run locally on Copilot+ PCs (using the device’s NPU), removing the subscription requirement for on‑device processing; cloud models remain available for subscribed users. Local Notepad AI is English‑only at launch. (blogs.windows.com)

These changes are rolling out to Insiders first; availability will depend on Insider channel, device capability, and staged flighting. (blogs.windows.com)

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Background: why small inbox apps matter now​

For years Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad were utility apps with limited scope. Over the last 18–24 months Microsoft has used them as low‑friction surfaces to trial deeper UI changes, tighter Copilot integration, and on‑device AI. The result is an approach that iterates quickly: modest usability additions that, taken together, shift how users accomplish everyday tasks without forcing them into separate third‑party tools. (blogs.windows.com)

• These inbox apps are ubiquitous on Windows and therefore make an effective vector for demonstrating new Copilot and hybrid AI behavior to a very large audience.
• Because the features are being flighted through the Insider channels first, Microsoft can gather telemetry and feedback before wider distribution. (blogs.windows.com)

Understanding the strategy is key: these aren't one‑off gimmicks. They're part of a larger effort to make local and cloud AI useful in everyday tasks while managing privacy, latency, and cost trade‑offs through feature gating and hardware qualification (Copilot+).

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Paint: editable projects and per‑tool opacity​

What changed​

Paint advances from casual sketching toward a more persistent, non‑destructive workflow:

• Save as a project: Paint now supports a native project file format with the .paint extension. Saving as a project preserves layers and session state so you can reopen and continue editing later. The command appears under File > Save as project and writes a .paint file visible in File Explorer. (blogs.windows.com)
• Opacity slider: Pencil and Brush tools now have an opacity slider on the canvas toolbar, enabling semi‑transparent strokes and smoother blends without manual layer opacity edits. (blogs.windows.com)

Version listed in the Insider post: Paint version 11.2508.361.0. (blogs.windows.com)

Why it matters​

A native project format is the single most practical change here. Historically, Paint’s layering capabilities were limited by the lack of a way to persist an editable composition. Saving as a .paint project brings Paint in line with lightweight editors (e.g., Paint.NET, Krita) where the project file preserves layer structure and editing state. For hobbyists, students, and quick workflows, that reduces friction: you no longer have to export layers individually or work only with flattened images.
The opacity slider complements the project workflow by enabling painterly techniques without forcing users to create extra layers for every translucent stroke.

Caveats and verification​

• The new .paint container is Microsoft’s proprietary project format; Microsoft has not published detailed interchange or file‑format documentation with the initial flight. Until the format is documented, assume .paint files are Paint‑native and export final assets to standard formats (PNG, JPEG, TIFF or PSD via third‑party tools) for sharing with collaborators who use other editors.
• The feature is in a staged Insider roll‑out; not all Insiders will see it immediately, and behavior may change before general availability. (blogs.windows.com)

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Snipping Tool: Quick Markup and tighter capture workflows​

What Quick Markup does​

Snipping Tool version 11.2508.24.0 introduces Quick Markup—a toggleable mode you enable before selecting the capture area (Win + Shift + S, or the Quick Markup button/ Ctrl + E). With Quick Markup on you select the screen area and can immediately:

• Annotate with pen, highlighter, eraser, shapes, and emojis.
• Resize the selection using grabbers.
• Share the annotated capture, run Visual Search with Bing, or Ask Copilot from within the capture flow. (blogs.windows.com)

Important UX detail: when invoking Visual Search or Ask Copilot from Quick Markup the image is not auto‑saved to the clipboard or autosaved locally—Microsoft explicitly calls out this behavior as a privacy‑minded trade‑off. (blogs.windows.com)

Why this is useful​

Quick Markup reduces friction for common workflows where the user needs to highlight, annotate, and send a capture in a single flow. It saves a context switch to Paint or another editor and speeds tasks such as reporting UI bugs, creating tutorial screenshots, or annotating receipts and invoices.

Caveats and integration issues​

• Automation and workflows that rely on the clipboard or autosave behavior (for example, scripts that read the clipboard after capturing) may see changes in behavior when users or policies route captures through Quick Markup and then to Visual Search/Copilot. Administrators and power users should test end‑to‑end automations.
• The Visual Search/Copilot actions may send image data to Microsoft services when used; the in‑capture controls do reduce accidental persistence, but the backend routing still raises privacy and DLP considerations for managed environments. Test how these interactions behave with your proxy, DLP, and data‑loss policies in place.

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Notepad: local generative AI on Copilot+ PCs — what changes and what it means​

New capabilities​

Notepad version 11.2508.28.0 expands AI functionality:

• New actions: Summarize, Write, and Rewrite are available in the app and integrated with Copilot controls.
• Local execution: On Copilot+ certified PCs, these features can run locally using the device’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU), removing the need for a premium subscription for on‑device inference.
• Cloud option: Users who have the subscription-based AI features can switch to cloud models. Local Notepad AI currently supports English only. (blogs.windows.com)

Why this is significant​

This is one of the clearest examples to date of Microsoft’s hybrid AI approach: give users low‑latency, private inference on capable hardware while preserving cloud fallback for higher‑capacity models or cross‑device continuity. For users who need quick drafts, paraphrases, or concise summaries, on‑device models can be faster and reduce cloud data egress. For teams with strict privacy requirements, local execution is a meaningful step.

Technical and governance caveats​

• Microsoft’s announcement does not disclose granular model details (model family, parameter size, or exact NPU requirements), leaving IT teams to validate the capability empirically on Copilot+ devices before wide deployment. Treat claims about “local models” as functionally true but unspecified in architecture—plan for verification and benchmarking.
• Local Notepad AI currently supports English only; teams that rely on multilingual workflows will need to use cloud models (which remain available to subscribers). (blogs.windows.com)
• Generative outputs should be treated as assistive drafts; hallucination risk still exists and the generated content must be validated, especially in regulated or safety‑critical use cases. Use model governance practices: labeling AI content, human review, and audit trails.

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Verification and cross‑checking the claims​

The feature set and version numbers are confirmed by Microsoft’s Windows Insider Blog post announcing the rollout (Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, Notepad 11.2508.28.0). (blogs.windows.com) Independent technology outlets that covered the updates provide corroboration and early hands‑on commentary, reinforcing the behavior described by Microsoft. (neowin.net)
To be explicit:

• The official blog post details the new Paint project file save/load behavior and opacity slider. (blogs.windows.com)
• The same post documents Quick Markup in Snipping Tool and its in‑capture annotation options plus integration with Share, Visual Search, and Ask Copilot. (blogs.windows.com)
• Microsoft confirms Notepad’s ability to run Summarize, Write, and Rewrite locally on Copilot+ PCs and notes English‑only local support at launch. (blogs.windows.com)

Independent reporting and analysis contextualize these changes as part of a multi‑quarter evolution of inbox apps and provide practical takeaways for users and IT administrators. (neowin.net)

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Practical recommendations for users and administrators​

For Windows Insiders and power users​

• If you use Paint for iterative work, start saving test projects as .paint files—but continue exporting final copies to PNG/JPEG (or PSD via intermediates) until Microsoft publishes format documentation and third‑party tool support matures.
• Try Quick Markup for fast annotations, but confirm where captures go after you hit Share or use Visual Search—don’t assume clipboard behavior remains identical.
• If you own a Copilot+ PC and want to try Notepad’s local AI, benchmark typical tasks to measure latency, CPU/GPU/NPU usage, and battery/thermal impact. Collect feedback about output quality versus cloud models.

For IT admins and policy owners​

• Identify which fleet devices are Copilot+ certified and pilot Notepad’s local AI there first. That reveals whether local models meet privacy, compliance, and performance requirements.
• Audit Snipping Tool Quick Markup integrations (Share, Visual Search, Ask Copilot) with your DLP/proxy systems. Document where images are sent and whether these flows create policy violations or unexpected telemetry.
• Plan a file‑type policy update to include .paint if you rely on file scanning, backup, or archival systems so .paint files are not missed or mishandled by content‑inspection tools.

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UX details, gotchas, and what to watch in future updates​

• Clipboard and autosave semantics have subtle differences when you use Quick Markup and invoke Visual Search or Ask Copilot. Users accustomed to the old flow may notice captures are not always placed on the clipboard; this improves privacy but changes automation expectations. (blogs.windows.com)
• Interoperability of .paint files is currently unconfirmed. Expect the file to be Paint‑native initially unless Microsoft publishes a documented container or export/import APIs. Keep a fallback export workflow.
• Local model specifics for Notepad (which model, how many parameters, how much NPU memory is needed) are not published. This complicates enterprise validation; insist on test metrics before relying on local models for protected or regulated data.

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Strengths and notable positives​

• Reduced friction: Quick Markup and project files reduce context switching and enable faster, more continuous workflows.
• Pragmatic hybrid AI: Local Notepad models on Copilot+ devices give a real‑world option for private, low‑latency AI without forcing a subscription. That’s a practical balance between capability and privacy.
• Incremental, testable rollout: Staged Insider flights allow Microsoft to iterate quickly while collecting real user feedback, which benefits stability during wider release. (blogs.windows.com)

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Risks and areas for caution​

• Proprietary file lock‑in: The .paint format risks creating a Paint‑native silo until interoperability or format specs are published. Archive exports remain essential.
• Fragmented UX across fleets: Feature gating by Insider channel and Copilot+ certification will create inconsistent experiences for mixed fleets and cross‑team collaboration.
• Opaque model details: Lack of published local model specs complicates governance and validation for regulated workloads; plan to test extensively.
• Data routing from visual AI: Visual Search and Ask Copilot may route image data to cloud services when used; that requires DLP review in enterprises.

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How to try the features now (Insider checklist)​

• Enroll the device in the Windows Insider Program and set it to the Canary or Dev Channel.
• Update Windows and open the Microsoft Store to update the inbox apps; confirm app versions (Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, Notepad 11.2508.28.0) as they appear in the Insider post. (blogs.windows.com)
• For Notepad on‑device AI: ensure the device is Copilot+ certified and that any optional Copilot+ tooling (drivers/firmware) is installed per the OEM instructions. Test with representative prompts and record performance metrics.
• Use Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > [Paint / Snipping Tool / Notepad] to report behavior and request clarifications (particularly about file format internals and local model characteristics). (blogs.windows.com)

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Conclusion​

This Insider flight is a textbook example of incremental product evolution with strategic intent. The Paint project file and opacity slider address long‑standing usability gaps that make Paint more useful for persistent creative work. Snipping Tool’s Quick Markup meaningfully speeds annotation and sharing scenarios. Notepad’s expansion into local generative AI on Copilot+ devices is the most consequential change: it demonstrates Microsoft’s hybrid AI approach and gives users an on‑device option for private, low‑latency editing tasks.
None of the changes are revolutionary on their own, but together they reshape everyday workflows inside Windows and highlight the trade‑offs—proprietary formats, gated availability, and opaque model specs—that organizations and savvy users must consider. Try the features on test devices, keep parallel exports and backups, and treat AI outputs as assistive drafts; document your findings and feed them back into Microsoft’s Insider channels so the public releases stabilize around practical, well‑governed behaviors. (blogs.windows.com)

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Source: Neowin Snipping Tool, Notepad, and Paint get a bunch of useful new features