Microsoft Paint Introduces New Copilot Hub, Now Available for All Windows 11 Users

In January 2025, Microsoft unveiled exciting enhancements within Paint, introducing the Generative Erase tool to a broader audience. Just a month later, the Image Creator feature followed suit, marking a significant evolution in digital editing capabilities.

Upon updating Paint through the Microsoft Store, I quickly noticed a change: the former Image Creator shortcut has now been replaced by the Copilot button, which I suspect was introduced recently.

Clicking the Copilot icon presents you with four options – Image Creator, Generative Erase, Background Removal, and an intriguing feature called Cocreator. However, be mindful that Cocreator requires an NPU-based processor (such as the Snapdragon X Elite or Intel Lunar Lake), making it inaccessible to standard Intel or AMD users.

While the Cocreator feature transforms your sketches into polished, professional artwork, the Image Creator allows seamless generation of new images.

A Deep Dive into the Three Features of Paint’s Copilot Menu on Windows 11

1. Image Creator

The first feature, Image Creator, exemplifies generative AI’s power, allowing users to conjure images based on text descriptions.

To begin, click on the Image Creator option within the Copilot hub. A text box will appear on the right side of the Paint interface, inviting you to describe the artwork you envision.

Upon entering your description, you can select from a variety of styles, including Charcoal, Ink Sketch, Watercolor, Oil Painting, Digital Art, Photorealistic, Anime, and Pixel Art. Each artistic style is represented with a corresponding icon for easy navigation.

After selecting your desired style, click the Create button, and the tool will generate three unique variants of your image, allowing you to save your preferred choice to local storage or to copy all images at once.

Keep in mind, a Microsoft account is required for this feature, along with a dependency on AI usage credits.

2. Generative Erase

The Generative Erase tool enables users to remove unwanted objects from an image effortlessly. Simply draw over the area you wish to erase and press apply, allowing Paint to do the magic.

3. Background Removal

The final option is Background Removal, designed to eliminate backgrounds from images, enabling you to save your files as transparent PNGs. This tool proves to be significantly advantageous compared to other AI features within Paint.

It’s important to note that while these features are not novel individually, the Copilot menu itself is a new interface aimed at consolidating various tools into one user-friendly hub. This innovative approach promises to continually introduce new AI functionalities to Paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Copilot menu in Microsoft Paint?

The Copilot menu is a new interface in Microsoft Paint that consolidates various AI-driven features, such as Image Creator, Generative Erase, and Background Removal, into a singular, accessible hub.

2. Do I need a specific computer to use Cocreator?

Yes, the Cocreator feature requires an NPU-based processor, making it unavailable on regular Intel or AMD PCs. Users need compatible hardware, such as Snapdragon X Elite or Intel Lunar Lake, to access this functionality.

3. How do I create images using the Image Creator in Paint?

To create images with the Image Creator, click on the Copilot button, select Image Creator, and enter a descriptive text for your desired image. After that, choose your preferred style and click Create to generate your image variants.

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