- MS Paint is going to get a new sticker generator button and object select tool with a new welcome experience.
- Snipping Tool is getting two new features: perfect screenshot and color picker.
- Now you will be able to write content in Notepad using generative AI.
- These features will be available only on Copilot+ PC
The AI revolution is everywhere now, and companies are adding it to almost all their products. Microsoft is one of them as it has already added AI features across most of its tools and services. But it looks like Microsoft isn’t stopping there and is planning to bring even more AI-powered upgrades soon.
Microsoft has recently announced on its blog about new AI features coming to Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad. This new update is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. These features are going to be pretty handy if you use Microsoft products for your daily work.
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Sticker Generator, Perfect Screenshot and More….
Microsoft has announced two new features in Paint, Snipping Tool, and one in Notepad. Here’s everything you need to know about these:
MS Paint
Let’s start with the paint app. Microsoft has already added some AI features in Paint, like Generative Fill, Generative Erase, and the Cocreator tool. Now they are going to add two more to that:
1. Sticker Generator
This new button will be available in the Copilot menu. It lets you create custom stickers by simply typing a prompt. You can just type in a description of the sticker you want to create, for example, ” a dog with a hat” or “a cat wearing sunglasses,” and click on the generate button.
The AI will generate a set of stickers so you can have the option to select the one you like most. You can just click on any of the stickers to instantly use them on your canvas. The best part is that you can copy the sticker to use it in other applications too or you can save it for later use.
You can access your recently generated stickers from the new Stickers option in the Paint toolbar.
2. Object Select
It’s a smart selection tool that uses AI to easily pick out and edit specific parts of an image. It is like a sticker selection on an iPhone or Samsung where you touch and hold on a person or object to pick them out from the image.
This feature can come in handy when you want to add specific parts of the image to you project. So, instead of using a third party website or an app, or maybe cropping the part (which looks abrupt), you can simply just pinpoint specific elements and make edits instantly.
To use this feature, click on the Object Select tool in the toolbar and point your cursor towards the specific part you want.
3. New Welcome Experience in Paint
Microsoft is also rolling out a new welcome experience in Paint to help users explore all the latest features. When you open the app, a dialog box will appear showing what you can do in Paint, along with a guide to walk you through the new tools.
It’s a handy update for both new and returning users, giving a quick recap of everything Paint has to offer. You can revisit it anytime by clicking the megaphone icon in the top-right corner of the toolbar.
Note: All these features will be available in version 11.2504.451.0 of MS Paint.
Snipping Tool
Microsoft introduced two new features to Snipping Tool: perfect screenshot and color picker. Let’s see what they can do:
1. Perfect Screenshot
The Perfect Screenshot feature uses AI to help you capture exactly what you need without cropping or resizing later. Basically, you can edit the screenshot just after you capture it, before saving it to your Desktop. It can be super useful for professionals, students, or content creators who often capture sections of websites, documents, or apps.
Just open the Snipping Tool, switch to rectangle mode, and hit the Perfect Screenshot button. It automatically adjusts your selection to fit the content. You can also hold the Ctrl key while selecting the area to activate it quickly.
2. Color Picker
Snipping Tool will come with a new Color Picker feature. This feature will make it easier to grab exact colors from anywhere on your screen.
Just open the Snipping Tool using the Print Screen key or from the app, and tap on the Color Picker icon in the toolbar. You can then hover over any area to get the color code in HEX, RGB, or HSL formats.
Or you can just zoom in with your mouse scroll or use Ctrl + / – keys. This is especially useful for designers, developers, or anyone who wants to quickly match or reuse a specific color for their work.
Note: All these features of Snipping Tool will be available in version 11.2504.38.0
Notepad
Notepad also got a big upgrade with a new AI-powered ‘Write’ feature (version 11.2504.46.0) that can help you quickly draft content from scratch or improve what you’ve already written.
This can be helpful when you’re stuck on a blank page or need help expanding your ideas. Best thing is that you don’t need to jump onto another application or ai tool.
To use this feature, simply place your cursor where you want the new text or highlight the text you want help with. Then right-click and choose “Write”, or use the shortcut Ctrl + Q.
You’ll see a box where you can type in what you want, and the AI will generate text for you right on the page. You can keep the text, discard it, or even refine it further with follow-up prompts.
Note: This feature works with a Microsoft account and requires a Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscription with AI credits. You can also turn off the AI option anytime from the app’s settings.
These updates will be available to users who are on the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11 and have a Copilot+ PC. Stay tuned for more updates like this on Windows.
