Windows 11 Inbox Apps Get Local AI: Notepad, Paint, Snipping Tool Upgrade

Microsoft is quietly rolling out another round of practical — and strategically significant — updates to three of Windows 11’s oldest built‑in utilities: Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool. Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels can already try a mix of incremental UX improvements and larger platform experiments: a native Paint project file format and opacity controls, an in-capture Quick markup workflow for Snipping Tool, and new Summarize / Write / Rewrite capabilities inside Notepad that can run locally on Copilot+ hardware using the PC’s NPU. These additions continue Microsoft’s steady push to make inbox apps true testing grounds for hybrid AI and deeper workflow features.

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Background / Overview​

For years, Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad were treated as lightweight, single‑purpose utilities. Over the past 18–24 months those apps have been repurposed as low-friction surfaces for UI experiments and Copilot integrations — a deliberate strategy that lets Microsoft ship small, high-impact features widely while validating performance and telemetry in the Insider Program first. The latest flight continues that pattern: modest ergonomics wins (opacity sliders, quicker markups) sit alongside more consequential moves (a proprietary Paint project container and on‑device Notepad AI for Copilot+ PCs).
These updates are being staged to Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. Availability will vary by channel, device capability (notably whether a machine is Copilot+ certified), account state, and Microsoft’s internal flighting controls. Expect additional polish and possible behavioral changes before any features reach the general Windows 11 user base.

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What changed — quick summary​

• Notepad: New Summarize, Write, and Rewrite tools powered by local AI on Copilot+ PCs; cloud model switching remains available for Microsoft 365 subscribers. Initially English only.
• Paint: Adds a native .paint project file format to save editable sessions (layers preserved) and an opacity slider for Pencil and Brush tools. Version noted in the Insider flight: 11.2508.361.0.
• Snipping Tool: Introduces Quick markup — an in‑capture toolbar that lets you annotate a selected region (pen, highlighter, eraser, shapes) before finalizing, plus actions such as Share, Visual Search (Bing), and Ask Copilot without saving to disk. Snipping Tool flight version: 11.2508.24.0.

These changes are primarily focused on smoothing core workflows — creating, editing, and annotating content — while validating on‑device AI behavior on higher‑end hardware.

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Deep dive: Notepad gets local AI on Copilot+ PCs​

What’s new​

Notepad now includes three generative utilities built into the app: Summarize, Write, and Rewrite. On Copilot+ PCs — machines certified to run local AI workloads using the device NPU — Microsoft enables these features to run locally and without requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription. Users who do have a Microsoft 365 subscription can toggle between cloud and local AI models for those same features. At launch, Microsoft reports that the features are English only.

Why this matters​

• On-device inference reduces latency and can be privacy‑improving for sensitive content because data does not necessarily leave the machine.
• Making local AI available without a subscription on Copilot+ hardware changes the product economics and differentiates devices by hardware capability.
• Allowing cloud/local switching preserves continuity for users who prefer higher‑capacity cloud models or need multi‑language support.

Practical caveats & unverifiable claims​

Microsoft’s Insider notes confirm local execution on Copilot+ devices, but the company has not published granular model specifications (model family, size, or exact NPU requirements). That lack of detail complicates IT planning: administrators won’t be able to confirm model behavior, memory/CPU/NPU usage, or offline performance without hands‑on testing. Treat claims about specific model capabilities or parity with cloud models as unverified until Microsoft publishes technical specs.

Recommended checks for Insiders & IT​

• Verify whether your device is listed as Copilot+ certified and check driver/firmware requirements.
• Compare local versus cloud outputs for accuracy and hallucination risk; generative features can produce plausible but incorrect results.
• For enterprise deployments, pilot on representative Copilot+ hardware and evaluate DLP, eDiscovery, and backup impacts.

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Deep dive: Paint — .paint project files and opacity control​

What changed, practically​

Paint is getting two workflow upgrades that matter to creators:

• Save as project (.paint): A native project container to preserve layers and session state so work can be resumed later without exporting and reassembling assets.
• Opacity slider for Pencil and Brush tools: Canvas-level slider (left side of the UI) to adjust stroke transparency in real time. Insider app version: 11.2508.361.0.

Together these features turn Paint into a more capable, non‑destructive editor suitable for multi-session sketches, classroom projects, quick mockups, and hobby art.

Benefits for users​

• Faster iteration: Save a single .paint file and reopen with layers intact, rather than juggling exported PNGs or rebuilding layers.
• More natural painting: Per‑tool opacity makes shading, glazing, and soft blending possible without complex layer workarounds.
• Simpler sharing of in‑progress work: Send a .paint file to collaborators to preserve editability.

What’s still unknown — treat with caution​

Microsoft has not published the technical specification for the .paint container. Important questions remain unanswered:

• Is .paint an open container (e.g., ZIP with assets + metadata) or a proprietary binary format?
• Does .paint embed full‑resolution raster data per layer or reference external resources?
• Will other editors (Photoshop, GIMP, Krita) ever import .paint reliably, or is it Paint‑native only?

Until Microsoft publishes format documentation, assume .paint is Paint‑native. Use standard formats (PNG, JPEG, PSD where possible) for archival and interchange.

Practical advice​

• Save iterative work as .paint while also exporting final assets to a flattened PNG/JPEG.
• If you rely on external toolchains or automated workflow scripts, test how .paint files behave in your environment before broadly adopting them.
• Keep copies of important work in standard formats for long‑term archival.

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Deep dive: Snipping Tool — Quick markup and smarter post‑capture actions​

What’s new​

Snipping Tool now has a Quick markup mode that introduces an inline toolbar at capture time. After selecting a capture region, you can annotate inside the selection area — pen, highlighter, eraser, shapes, emojis — and then finalize, share, or run image-centric actions such as Visual Search (Bing) or Ask Copilot without saving a file. The Snipping Tool update is reported in the Insider flight as version 11.2508.24.0.

Why it’s useful​

• Reduces friction: annotate right away instead of editing in a separate post‑capture window.
• Faster workflows for documentation authors, teachers, and anyone who frequently marks up screenshots.
• Integrates Visual Search and Copilot actions directly after capture so you can extract information from images without necessarily saving an intermediate file.

Potential risks and behavior changes​

• Automation breakage: any scripts or automation that assume screenshots are automatically copied to the clipboard or saved as files could break under Quick markup workflows.
• Data egress surface: using Visual Search and Ask Copilot implies the screenshot may be processed by cloud services; verify organizational policy and DLP controls before enabling broadly.

Practical rollout steps​

• Try Quick markup on an Insider test device and observe whether captures still land on the Clipboard or in the Screenshots folder.
• Confirm how the Share / Visual Search actions transmit data (local processing vs cloud upload).
• Update any capture-dependent scripts or automation to handle the Quick markup flow if required.

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Security, privacy, and enterprise governance — what IT teams need to know​

These inbox app updates are deceptively simple but have outsized enterprise implications. The most important areas for IT to evaluate are:

• Feature gating & device qualification: Because local Notepad AI is limited to Copilot+ PCs, identify Copilot+ devices in your fleet and decide whether to permit, pilot, or block these features based on policy.
• Data flow and DLP: Snipping Tool actions like Visual Search and Ask Copilot may send image data to cloud services. Document and test how those workflows interact with your DLP and eDiscovery tools.
• File format governance: The new .paint format is currently unspecified. Confirm that backup, sync, and archival systems correctly store and index .paint files before recommending them for production workflows.
• Model behavior & hallucination risk: Generative features (Write / Rewrite / Summarize) can produce inaccurate text. Require human review for outputs used in professional or compliance‑sensitive contexts.

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How to test these features (Insiders & IT pilots)​

• Enroll a test device in the Windows Insider Program and select the Canary or Dev channel.
• Update Windows and the inbox apps through Windows Update and the Microsoft Store.
• Confirm app versions — look for Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, and Notepad 11.2508.28.0 (or newer).
• For Notepad local AI, verify Copilot+ certification on the device and test local vs cloud toggles.
• Test Snipping Tool Quick markup with automated capture scripts to see if the output flow has changed.
• Evaluate .paint file behavior in your backup and eDiscovery processes; ensure they are indexed and backed up correctly.
• Log telemetry and user feedback; use the Feedback Hub to report issues to Microsoft.

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Strengths and strategic intent — why Microsoft is doing this​

• Low-friction experimentation: Inbox apps are on nearly every Windows device, making them ideal vectors to trial new UI patterns and AI features with minimal user onboarding friction.
• Hybrid AI foot in the door: Enabling local AI on Copilot+ hardware demonstrates Microsoft’s hybrid approach — local models for latency, privacy and offline scenarios, cloud models for heavier workloads and multi‑language support.
• Tactical feature packaging: Small, pragmatic improvements (opacity slider, quick markup) deliver immediate user value while larger platform changes (project files, local models) are validated in the field.

These moves are consistent with a longer, deliberate strategy to turn Windows into a platform that blends local inference with cloud assist, while using ubiquitous apps to show everyday value.

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Risks, unknowns, and areas to watch​

• Opaque model specifications: Microsoft hasn’t disclosed the on‑device model architecture, size, or training provenance for Notepad’s local AI. Administrators need this information to assess performance, accuracy, and regulatory risk. Flag: unverified until Microsoft publishes specs.
• Proprietary file format: The .paint container’s internals are not published. That raises questions about interoperability and long‑term archival. Treat .paint as Paint‑native for now.
• Feature fragmentation: Tying features to Insider channel, device certification, and subscription state can produce inconsistent experiences across user populations — a support and training headache for IT teams.
• Privacy and data egress: Snipping Tool’s visual search and Copilot actions increase the chance that sensitive screenshot contents are processed in the cloud. Review policy and DLP settings before broadly enabling.

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Practical recommendations — for everyday users, creators, and IT admins​

• End users and creators:
• Start using .paint files for in‑progress work, but keep exported PNG or JPEG backups for archival.
• Use the opacity slider to improve painting workflows; it’s a small control with big creative payoff.
• When using Notepad’s AI, review outputs carefully — generative suggestions are helpful but not infallible.
• Power users and automation leads:
• Test automation paths that assume clipboard or file behavior after Snipping Tool capture; update scripts if needed.
• Don’t treat .paint as a production interchange format until you confirm third‑party support.
• IT admins and security teams:
• Inventory Copilot+ devices and segment pilot groups.
• Test DLP behavior for Snipping Tool Visual Search and Ask Copilot actions.
• Validate backup/indexing behavior for .paint in enterprise storage.
• Update guidelines for AI‑generated content review and retention.
• Use staged rollouts and Feedback Hub reporting to capture edge cases before broad deployment.

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What to expect next​

Expect Microsoft to iterate quickly in response to Insider feedback. The current release pattern suggests:

• Broader availability will follow after additional testing, but timelines are not published.
• Language expansion for local Notepad AI beyond English is likely, but unconfirmed.
• Microsoft may publish technical documentation for .paint or provide export/import hooks if user demand and partner needs justify it.

Keep an eye on Insider blogs and official documentation for the formal rollout schedule and any published technical specs. Meanwhile, Insiders should file focused feedback about model behavior, .paint file interchangeability, and Snipping Tool capture behavior so Microsoft can refine both UX and enterprise controls.

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Conclusion​

These updates to Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool are small at first glance but meaningful in aggregate. Paint’s .paint project files and per‑tool opacity transform a once‑simple utility into a genuinely iterative editor. Snipping Tool’s Quick markup streamlines an everyday workflow that affects documentation and collaboration tasks. Notepad’s addition of Summarize / Write / Rewrite, combined with the option to run locally on Copilot+ hardware, showcases Microsoft’s hybrid AI strategy: giving users faster, privacy‑minded options on capable devices while preserving cloud continuity for broader capabilities.
For Insiders and IT professionals the priorities are clear: test on representative hardware, verify DLP and backup behavior, and treat generative outputs with healthy skepticism. These inbox apps are becoming a primary way Microsoft demonstrates the day‑to‑day value of Copilot and on‑device AI — and the latest flight makes that strategy tangible in ways most Windows users will notice quickly.

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Source: Thurrott.com Microsoft is Updating Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool Again

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has begun testing a coordinated set of feature updates to three of Windows 11’s oldest inbox apps — Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad — rolling them out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. These updates add a native project save for Paint, an in‑capture “Quick Markup” workflow for Snipping Tool, and on‑device generative AI tools inside Notepad that can run locally on Copilot+ PCs. The changes are staged and pragmatic: small but meaningful UX wins for creators and annotators, paired with a strategic push to validate hybrid local/cloud AI inside everyday Windows apps.

Background​

Microsoft has been steadily modernizing its inbox apps over the last two years, repositioning them as low‑friction surfaces for Copilot and hybrid AI experiments. What used to be simple utilities (a scratchpad, a basic canvas, a quick capture tool) are now proving grounds for new interaction patterns: persistent project files, in‑capture editing, and local model inference on capable hardware. The latest flight — published to insiders on September 17, 2025 — bundles a set of coordinated updates across Paint (11.2508.361.0), Snipping Tool (11.2508.24.0), and Notepad (11.2508.28.0).
These updates matter for two reasons. First, they reduce friction in everyday workflows: annotate while you capture, stop losing edit state across Paint sessions, and get fast AI‑assisted text editing without bouncing to the cloud (on suitable hardware). Second, they demonstrate Microsoft’s hybrid strategy: when device hardware supports it (Copilot+ PCs), certain AI features can run locally; otherwise cloud models remain an option for subscribed users. That device‑tier differentiation will influence how IT teams plan hardware and governance.

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Paint: Save as project and per‑tool opacity​

What changed​

• Paint now offers a Save as project option that writes a .paint project file, preserving layers and session state so work can be resumed later. The command appears under File > Save as project and is available in Paint version 11.2508.361.0.
• Pencil and Brush tools gain an opacity slider on the canvas toolbar (left side), enabling semi‑transparent strokes and more expressive brushwork without fiddling with global layer opacity.

Why this is useful​

Saving a multi‑layer composition as a single, editable file is a notable productivity improvement for casual creators, educators, and students. Previously, users who relied on Paint’s layers had to export image layers or keep multiple files to preserve editability; a native project container closes that loop. The opacity slider transforms Paint’s simple brushes into more expressive tools for shading, glazing, and layer‑based techniques. These changes raise the practical baseline of what can be produced in Paint without switching to heavier editors.

Technical caveats and interoperability​

• Microsoft’s Insider notes confirm the .paint container exists, but detailed format documentation has not been published. That leaves open questions about file internals (archive structure, supported metadata, blend modes, masks, compression, and backward compatibility). Treat any claims about cross‑app interchange or archival suitability as unverified until Microsoft publishes the format specification.
• If your workflow depends on open interchange (sharing layered sources with other programs), export fallback copies (PNG, PSD where supported, or flattened TIFF) until the .paint format and interoperability guarantees are clarified.

Practical tips for creators​

• Install the Paint update from the Microsoft Store while enrolled in the Canary/Dev Insider channels and confirm the app version is 11.2508.361.0.
• Continue keeping final exports in an open raster format for archival and sharing with third‑party tools.
• Use the opacity slider for glazing and build up strokes logically (low opacity + multiple passes) to avoid banding in flattened exports.

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Snipping Tool: Quick Markup collapses capture → edit → share​

What Quick Markup does​

Snipping Tool’s new Quick Markup is a toggleable in‑capture toolbar that lets you annotate, re‑crop, and edit a selection before finalizing the screenshot. Toggle it from the capture toolbar or use the hotkey Ctrl + E, then draw a selection and use pen, highlighter, eraser, shapes, and emojis inside the selection area. Quick Markup also surfaces actions like Share, Visual Search (Bing), and Ask Copilot directly from the selection overlay. The feature is included in Snipping Tool version 11.2508.24.0 in the Insider flight.

Why this changes the workflow​

Traditionally, screenshot annotation is a multi‑step process: capture → open editor → annotate → save/share. Quick Markup collapses that into a near single step and is particularly useful for:

• Documentation writers and technical communicators who annotate UI screenshots repeatedly.
• Support and helpdesk staff who need fast redaction and markup to share problem details.
• Casual users who will now find it easier to mark up images instead of deferring annotation.

Behavior notes and privacy implications​

• When you use Quick Markup actions such as Visual Search or Ask Copilot, the image may not be copied automatically to the clipboard or autosaved — those paths intentionally route content to cloud services or sharing targets. Administrators and privacy‑conscious users should audit how these actions behave in their environment.
• Quick Markup reduces the need for third‑party capture utilities (ShareX, Greenshot) for many use cases, but enterprise teams should validate whether Quick Markup’s sharing and Visual Search paths align with corporate data handling policies.

How to try Quick Markup now​

• Enroll a test PC in the Windows Insider Program and set it to the Canary or Dev channel.
• Update Snipping Tool via the Microsoft Store and verify version 11.2508.24.0.
• Press Win + Shift + S, toggle Quick Markup or press Ctrl + E, draw a selection, annotate, then choose Save, Copy, Share, or Ask Copilot.

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Notepad: Summarize, Write, Rewrite with local AI on Copilot+ PCs​

What’s new​

Notepad now includes three Copilot‑style features: Summarize, Write, and Rewrite. On Copilot+ PCs these features can run locally using on‑device models, enabling users to perform summarization, generate text from prompts, or rewrite selected text without an internet connection or a subscription. Subscribers retain access to cloud models and can switch between local and cloud inference as needed. At launch these local features are English‑only and are present in Notepad version 11.2508.28.0.

Copilot+ PC requirement and what it means​

• Copilot+ PCs are hardware‑certified machines designed to support local model inference, typically including an NPU and certain performance thresholds. Microsoft positions Copilot+ certification as the device tier that unlocks higher‑latency‑sensitive and private on‑device AI experiences. However, Microsoft has not published full, granular model/spec details in the Insider announcement.

Why local models matter​

On‑device models reduce latency and can help keep sensitive text on the device instead of routing it through cloud services, which matters for privacy‑sensitive notes, drafts, and editing tasks. Making the local model available without a subscription on Copilot+ hardware changes the product economics for owners of those devices and demonstrates Microsoft’s hybrid approach: local fallback for speed and privacy, cloud fallback for higher capability and multi‑language coverage.

Important unknowns — flagged as cautionary​

• Microsoft’s post confirms local execution but does not disclose the precise model family, parameter counts, or the NPU requirements needed to run them. That absence of detail complicates IT planning: memory and NPU utilization, inference latency, and parity with cloud models are not verifiable without hands‑on testing. Treat claims about on‑device model performance or fidelity relative to cloud models as unverified until Microsoft provides technical specs or benchmark data.
• Administrators should assume the following until clarified: model telemetry may still be collected, local models may be updated via Windows Update, and cloud fallbacks may be used automatically when local capability is insufficient.

Practical guidance for testing Notepad AI​

• Use a Copilot+ certified test machine if you want to evaluate local model performance; confirm Copilot+ status per OEM instructions.
• Test with realistic workload samples and record latency, CPU/NPU usage, and output quality. Compare local outputs with cloud outputs (if you have a subscription) to understand differences.
• Document privacy risks and update corporate policies to clarify how and when employees may use local vs. cloud models for sensitive content.

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Security, privacy, and enterprise governance​

These inbox app changes are meaningful not just for consumers but for IT and security teams. Three recurring governance themes deserve attention:

• Data flow and egress: Integrated actions (Visual Search, Ask Copilot, Share) change where captured or generated content may go. When Quick Markup or Notepad routes data to cloud services, that can create compliance implications. Audit and test those flows before broadly enabling them in managed environments.
• File format lock‑in: A native .paint project file improves productivity but raises archival and migration questions. Until Microsoft documents .paint internals, organizations that require open archival formats should continue to keep exported copies in widely supported raster formats.
• Opaque model specs and telemetry: Local model execution improves privacy in principle, but model update mechanisms and telemetry practices must be reviewed. The lack of granular model info makes policy drafting harder; push for documentation and management controls in enterprise settings.

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Deployment checklist for Insiders, power users, and admins​

• Enroll test devices in the Windows Insider Program and set the channel to Canary or Dev. Confirm app versions in the Microsoft Store: Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, Notepad 11.2508.28.0.
• For Notepad local AI testing:
• Use a Copilot+ certified device.
• Verify local vs cloud model switching (subscription required for cloud options).
• Compare outputs and log performance metrics.
• For Snipping Tool:
• Test Quick Markup via Win + Shift + S, toggle Quick Markup, and use Ctrl + E as a short‑cut.
• Validate how Share and Visual Search actions interact with your clipboard and DLP policies.
• For Paint:
• Save sample projects using Save as project and reopen them to confirm layer, opacity, and ordering fidelity.
• Keep exported flattened copies for archival and cross‑tool sharing until the .paint format is documented.

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Risks, limitations, and final assessment​

These Insider updates strike a careful balance of pragmatic usability improvements and platform experimentation. The wins are concrete: Paint becomes a more useful session‑based editor, Snipping Tool removes friction from annotation workflows, and Notepad shows the potential for on‑device generative assistance. However, there are real limitations and risks to weigh:

• Feature fragmentation: Availability is gated by Insider channel and hardware (Copilot+), so user experience will be inconsistent across an organization.
• Interoperability uncertainty: Without documented .paint internals, relying on the project file for long‑term or cross‑tool workflows is premature.
• Opaque local AI details: The absence of model/requirements documentation means administrators must test empirically rather than trusting published spec sheets. Treat Notepad’s AI outputs as assistive drafts, not authoritative results, until model transparency improves.

Overall, this release is a smart, incremental modernization of core Windows tools: the UX improvements are immediately useful, and the Notepad changes are the most strategically significant when viewed as a step toward larger hybrid AI integration across Windows. The prudent path for IT is measured adoption: test on representative devices, require open exports for archival work, and update governance to account for new sharing and AI paths.

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What to watch next​

• Formal documentation from Microsoft about the .paint file format and any import/export guarantees.
• Technical specifications and benchmarks for Notepad’s local models (model family, memory/NPU requirements, update cadence).
• Management and policy controls that let enterprises disable or restrict cloud routing for Quick Markup and Notepad AI actions.

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Conclusion
Microsoft’s September Insider flight for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad is a tidy example of practical product evolution married to strategic platform testing. The project file and opacity slider make Paint genuinely more capable for quick, iterative creative work. Snipping Tool’s Quick Markup removes friction from a routine task and brings parity with long‑standing third‑party capture utilities. Notepad’s on‑device Summarize/Write/Rewrite showcases the promise — and the current limits — of running generative AI locally on Copilot+ hardware. These updates are useful today for Insiders and informative for IT teams planning device roadmaps and governance around hybrid AI; they also highlight the important questions Microsoft must answer about file formats, model transparency, and enterprise controls as these features move toward broader release.

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Source: gHacks Technology News Microsoft tests new features in Paint, Snipping Tool and Notepad - gHacks Tech News

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has quietly expanded the core Windows 11 inbox apps with a batch of practical — and, in the case of Notepad, quietly ambitious — updates that move simple utilities toward richer, AI-enhanced workflows while preserving familiar, low-friction workflows for everyday users.

Background​

Microsoft has been steadily modernizing the classic Windows inbox suite for several years, but recent changes accelerate that trend by folding lightweight AI experiences directly into the apps most users open dozens of times a day: Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool. These updates are rolling out first to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels and are surfacing in Release Preview builds for Windows 11 25H2, giving testers and power users early access before a broader rollout.
The common thread linking these changes is twofold: first, Microsoft is building reversible, user-facing features that attempt to respect device privacy by enabling local AI inference on modern hardware; second, it is adding non-AI quality-of-life and file format features (project saving, transparency controls, faster annotation flows) that aim to make the apps genuinely useful rather than novelty add-ons. The results are subtle but meaningful improvements for creators, power users, and enterprise admins alike.

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Notepad: offline AI arrives (with guardrails)​

What’s new — Summarize, Write, Rewrite​

Notepad now includes three labeled AI tools — Summarize, Write, and Rewrite — that let users condense text, generate new passages from prompts, or rephrase existing content. Those tools are integrated in the Notepad UI (right-click context menus and the Copilot menu) and are available in preview builds for Insiders. Importantly, Microsoft has introduced a local inference pathway that runs on qualifying hardware, meaning these features can work without a cloud round-trip in many scenarios.

Who gets it and how it works​

• Local AI access is enabled for Copilot+ PCs — the class of Windows devices that include a high-performance neural processing unit (NPU). These NPUs are designed to run on-device AI models efficiently and with low latency. If you have a Copilot+ PC, Microsoft’s update allows Notepad’s AI tools to run locally without requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription. Users who do hold Microsoft 365 subscriptions can choose between the local model and cloud models, switching depending on accuracy, capability, or latency needs.
• For now, the Notepad AI experience is English-only in this preview — an important limitation for multilingual users and international deployments.

Key benefits​

• Offline capability and privacy: Local inference reduces the need to send text to the cloud, improving latency and lowering potential data exposure.
• Accessibility and convenience: Quick summaries and rewrites inside a lightweight editor are a pragmatic productivity booster for note-taking, drafting, and editing.
• Flexibility: Microsoft preserves a hybrid model for subscribers who want the cloud’s larger models and the local model’s privacy/speed trade-offs.

Enterprise controls, opt‑outs, and rollback​

Admins can manage Notepad AI through group policy/Intune — Microsoft publishes an administrative template that explicitly allows organizations to disable AI features in Notepad if needed. For individual users uncomfortable with the new app, the modern Notepad can be uninstalled or the execution alias adjusted to restore the classic notepad.exe experience; however, uninstalling the store‑packaged Notepad removes the supported update channel for the modern package and is not the recommended first step for businesses. Disabling the AI features via policy or the app’s settings is a safer, supported option.

Risks and unknowns​

• Model fidelity and hallucinations remain a general risk in lightweight on-device models; users should treat generated text as a draft requiring review.
• Local models are constrained by device compute and storage; they will not match the largest cloud models in capability for complex tasks.
• The English-only limitation restricts usefulness in global organizations and raises rollout questions for other locales.

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Paint: project files and better blending​

What’s new — Save as .paint and opacity slider​

Paint’s newest update introduces an editable .paint project file format that preserves layers and project state, plus an opacity/transparency slider for Pencil and Brush tools to make strokes more natural and blendable. These changes turn Paint into a more capable lightweight editor — not Photoshop, but significantly closer to a user-friendly, layered raster workflow.

How it changes workflows​

• Artists and hobbyists can now save an ongoing composition as a project and re-open it later with all layers intact, simplifying cross-device workflows and avoiding the need to flatten layers into PNGs or export multi-file packages.
• The opacity slider gives creators finer control over blending and shading without juggling multiple tools or manual opacity workarounds.

Benefits​

• Continuity: Resume work seamlessly without rebuilding layers.
• Better expressiveness: Opacity control improves digital sketching, shading, and color transitions.
• Free alternative: For many users, Paint now offers a capable, no-cost option for quick concepting and light editing.

Caveats​

• While the .paint format is a major convenience, it is proprietary to the modern Paint app; teams that require interchange with other editors will still need export/import steps.
• Not all AI-powered features in Paint (like generative fill) are available on all hardware; some remain limited to specific Copilot+ hardware for now. Users should verify which features their device supports.

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Snipping Tool (Scissors): Quick Markup and faster captures​

What’s new — Quick Markup and capture improvements​

The Snipping Tool’s Quick Markup feature lets you annotate before finalizing a capture. Toggle Quick Markup from the capture toolbar (or press Ctrl + E) and when you draw your selection via Win + Shift + S you can immediately mark up within the selection area — pens, highlighter, eraser, shapes, and even emojis are available. After annotating, you can resize the selection, share it, run a visual search in Bing, or launch Copilot workflows directly from the markup UI.

Why this matters​

• Faster workflows: Rather than taking a screenshot, opening it, then marking it up, you can annotate in one step — ideal for quick feedback, screenshots for chat, or documentation.
• Integrated actions: Share, visual search, and Copilot integration reduce friction for follow-up actions like lookups or AI-assisted edits.
• Less context switching: The UI keeps users in the capture flow instead of bouncing them between multiple apps.

How to use Quick Markup (quick steps)​

• Press Win + Shift + S to open the capture toolbar.
• Click the Quick Markup button or press Ctrl + E to toggle it on.
• Select the screen area. Use pen, highlighter, shapes, emojis, or eraser inside the selection area.
• Click Share, Visual Search, or Ask Copilot to continue processing.

Limitations and quality notes​

• Quick Markup is a convenience-layer feature — for advanced annotation workflows or video editing, dedicated tools are still superior.
• Visual Search and Copilot actions will invoke cloud services under certain conditions; the app warns users when images are shared or processed beyond the clipboard. The Snipping Tool’s Click-to-Copilot integrations aim to streamline these steps, but they change how screenshots are handled behind the scenes.

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Copilot+ PCs and NPUs: the hardware angle​

What is a Copilot+ PC?​

Copilot+ PCs are Microsoft’s branded class of Windows devices equipped with a high-performance Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second). These NPUs let the OS and apps offload AI inference to specialized silicon, enabling low-latency local AI experiences like Notepad’s on-device generation and Paint’s Cocreator improvements. Copilot+ experiences vary by device, processor (Snapdragon X Series, AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, Intel Core Ultra series), and region, and Microsoft’s Copilot+ pages detail hardware and availability.

Practical impact​

• On-device AI reduces latency and may preserve privacy for many workflows.
• Developers and ISVs can target NPUs to accelerate AI features, but broad parity with cloud models is not guaranteed.
• Adoption depends on OEM device availability and buyer demand for AI-first hardware — organizations must weigh upgrade costs versus productivity gains.

Caveat: feature fragmentation risk​

As functionality becomes tied to Copilot+ hardware, there’s a risk of fragmenting the Windows experience: users on older PCs will see fewer features or require cloud services, while Copilot+ owners get more local experiences. This hardware-dependent divergence is likely intentional for performance reasons, but it increases complexity for IT admins planning uniform deployments.

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Security, privacy, and governance — what admins need to know​

• Microsoft provides policy controls to disable AI features in Notepad through Intune/Group Policy and offers administrative templates to manage Notepad behavior for enterprises. This is a deliberate, supported control that organizations should test and apply in regulated environments.
• Local inference improves privacy posture when processing sensitive text, but some integration points still call cloud services (for example, Visual Search with Bing or Copilot orchestration). Administrators must audit which features are enabled for users and configure network and DLP policies accordingly.
• Uninstalling the modern Notepad or the UWP/Store-packaged apps is possible, and restoring classic notepad.exe is documented in community and Microsoft channels. Uninstalling modern inbox apps is reversible but has implications for update paths and future feature delivery; disabling aliases or AI features is a less disruptive first step.

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Practical recommendations for users and IT​

• If you value privacy and local AI inference, verify whether your device is a Copilot+ PC (look for NPU support and the OEM Copilot+ branding) before expecting Notepad’s local AI to work.
• For creators who rely on layering, start using Save as project (.paint) in Paint for ongoing work; export when interoperability is required.
• Try Quick Markup in Snipping Tool for faster annotated screenshots; use Share or Visual Search sparingly from managed endpoints if data exfiltration is a concern.
• Administrators should import the Notepad ADMX templates into Intune/Group Policy, test the DisableAIFeaturesInNotepad policy in pilot groups, and craft guidance for users who prefer the classic notepad.exe option.

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Critical analysis: strengths, limitations, and the bigger picture​

Notable strengths​

• Microsoft’s push to support local AI inference on NPUs is a pragmatic balance: it improves latency/privacy while retaining cloud options for capability. For the average user, this is the right technical compromise — local for quick tasks, cloud for heavier work.
• The .paint project format addresses a longstanding gap in Paint’s evolution: many users now treat Paint as a casual creative app, and preserving layers makes it genuinely useful for multi-session workflows.
• Quick Markup reduces friction in an everyday workflow (screenshot → annotate → share) and shows a focus on small productivity wins that benefit a broad user base.

Important limitations and risks​

• The model/feature fragmentation tied to Copilot+ hardware raises rollout and fairness questions. Not all users can or will upgrade to Copilot+ hardware, and some of the most interesting AI experiences will therefore remain limited to a subset of the Windows ecosystem. This creates a multi-tier Windows experience that IT teams must manage.
• AI-generated text remains imperfect. Local models designed to be compact are convenient but will not match the capabilities or breadth of larger cloud models — so expect draft-level outputs, not polished copy. This is especially important in business contexts where accuracy and legal compliance matter.
• Microsoft’s broader AI strategy has occasionally drawn criticism over aggressive bundling and automatic installs of Copilot-related apps; recent reporting highlights concerns about forced Copilot app installation on some Windows 11 devices unless admins intervene. That context matters because increased AI integration across inbox apps could bring both productivity and friction if users feel software is being pushed without consent. Administrators should monitor organizational channels and user feedback closely.

Where Microsoft should focus next​

• Expand language support beyond English for the Notepad AI features, making them usable in more regions and enterprise deployments.
• Publish clearer interoperability guidance for .paint files (export best practices, third-party conversion, and API guidance).
• Provide clearer telemetry/opt-in transparency for actions that invoke cloud services from the Snipping Tool markup UI so users and admins understand what leaves the device and when.

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Quick reference: versions and availability​

• Paint: version 11.2508.361.0 — adds project (.paint) saving and an opacity slider.
• Snipping Tool: version 11.2508.24.0 — introduces Quick Markup (Win + Shift + S capture path, toggle Quick Markup or use Ctrl + E).
• Notepad: version 11.2508.28.0 — adds on-device AI features Summarize, Write, Rewrite on Copilot+ PCs with local models available to non‑subscribers and switching to cloud models for Microsoft 365 subscribers. Currently English-only in preview.

Rollout is in Windows Insider Canary and Dev channels and is visible in Release Preview builds for Windows 11 25H2; wider consumer availability will depend on Microsoft’s staging and feedback.

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Conclusion​

These updates to Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool exemplify Microsoft’s twin strategy: provide measurable, day‑to‑day productivity improvements while embedding cautiously optimistic AI experiences that can run either locally on capable Copilot+ hardware or in the cloud for users who need greater capability. The practical improvements — .paint project files, opacity control, and Quick Markup — are solid, immediately useful changes. The Notepad AI work is notable: it makes offline, private AI practical on the devices that support it, but it also highlights the complexity of offering a consistent Windows experience across widely varied hardware.
For individuals, these updates are useful, and for IT teams, they are manageable — provided administrators leverage the available policies, test carefully, and plan for the new hardware-driven feature differentials. The road ahead is one of gradual augmentation: inbox apps that once did the bare minimum are being elevated into tools that quietly help users draft, sketch, and communicate faster — with sensible controls to keep organizations and privacy-conscious users in the driver’s seat.

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Source: hi-Tech.ua Paint, Notepad, and Scissors get a big update in Windows 11