
The latest update to Windows 11’s Paint application showcases significant advancements, particularly with the introduction of two innovative AI features. Reported initially by Windows Latest, this update allows users to transform their images into brief animations, akin to Grok’s Imagine functionality. Furthermore, Paint is unveiling a generative image editing tool reminiscent of Google’s Banana.
These features are part of the Windows AI Labs initiative, a program designed to let users experiment with new generative AI functionalities in MS Paint. The invitation to participate in Windows AI Labs is being rolled out gradually, allowing interested users to join without needing to be part of the Windows Insider Program.

Having registered for Windows AI Labs on my Windows 11 24H2 production machine back in September, I was excited to see the two new features finally appear.
Transform Images into Short Animations with Windows Paint
Currently, Paint’s Copilot capabilities remain somewhat restricted. Users can create images, eliminate unwanted elements, or apply a blur effect, but the option to generate actual short animations or video clips was lacking. However, this has now changed, enabling users to animate their drawings seamlessly.

Microsoft describes this experimental feature as a novel approach to “turn any image or sketch into an animation.”Users can initiate this process by simply clicking the Try it out button.
Upon selecting the nudge option, an additional “Animate”menu appears within the Copilot dropdown, opening a sidebar that facilitates the animation creation process. Interestingly, instead of having users input a prompt, Microsoft provides a canvas where the AI handles the animation generation.

In tests, transforming an image into a short animation takes around 40 to 60 seconds, after which users can easily copy the animation in GIF format or save it directly to their local storage.
I experimented with an image featuring Pikachu; however, the results weren’t as desirable as expected. It appears that the AI model used isn’t Sora v1 or Sora 2 but rather an in-house model developed by Microsoft.
Subsequently, I tried with an image of thunder in the sky, and this time, the animation performed considerably better compared to the failure with Pikachu.
Editing Images with AI in MS Paint

In addition to animation, Paint now allows users to generate images from scratch. For those on a Copilot+ PC, there’s a newfound capability to elevate a rough sketch into a professional-quality image.
However, editing an image directly using prompts, akin to tools like Google Gemini or Google Nano Banana, was previously not an option. With the introduction of the new generative editing feature, this limitation is being addressed.

In my tests, I imported an image of a Google Nano Banana, adorned with its iconic logo. I first attempted to remove the logo using the generative edit feature, but initially met with failure.
Then, I shifted my focus, instructing Paint to transform the plain white background into a vibrant fruit jungle. To my satisfaction, that request was successful, demonstrating the feature’s potential.
According to Microsoft, “Animate is powered by an AI system that generates video animations from your input image, and it may create unexpected results.”They also noted that the generative editing feature operates similarly, altering the input image based on the text description provided.
It’s important to note that features available through the Windows AI Labs may not make it into a full production version accessible to all users. The program is currently limited, and only select participants can see the sign-up toggle within Paint’s settings.
As Microsoft’s representation stated, “The Windows AI Labs Program for Microsoft Paint is crafted to offer a platform for ongoing evaluation of pre-release features, capabilities, and services.”
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