Microsoft Introduces New Features in Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad Testing Phase

Exciting New Features in Microsoft Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad for Windows Insiders

Microsoft is actively rolling out innovative enhancements to its Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad applications for Windows Insiders. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes that users can expect.

Innovations in Paint

One of the standout updates for Paint is the ability to save your artistic creations as projects. This feature allows users to conveniently resume work at a later date. To utilize this, simply select Save as project from the File menu.

Additionally, Paint is introducing an opacity slider, enhancing the flexibility of pencil and brush tools. Users will find this feature on the left edge of the screen once a drawing tool is selected, enabling easier adjustments to stroke transparency.

These features are available starting from Paint version 11.2508.361.0 or later.

Enhancements to Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is also receiving significant enhancements, notably the introduction of the Quick Markup tool. This feature enables users to annotate screenshots before they capture them. To use the Quick Markup option, simply click the corresponding button in the Snipping Tool’s toolbar or utilize the hotkey Ctrl + E.

Users can then select the area they wish to capture and start annotating—adding highlights, arrows, and more—within the marked selection before finalizing their screenshot.

The Quick Markup feature is available in Snipping Tool version 11.2508.24.0 or later, marking a positive shift for users who prefer straightforward tools over complex AI functionalities.

Notepad’s AI-Enhanced Capabilities

Notepad introduces groundbreaking features powered by local AI models. Users can now summarize text, generate content from prompts, and rewrite material without needing to log into an account, provided they have a Copilot+ PC. Subscription users also gain access to additional cloud models, with the option to switch between local and cloud-based resources depending on specific needs.

Currently, the Copilot feature is only available in English and requires Notepad version 11.2508.28.0 or higher.

For more details, refer to Microsoft’s announcement, which specifies that these updates are rolling out to Windows Insiders within the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11.

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