New Features Coming to Paint, Snipping Tool, and Photos in Windows 11

Exciting New AI Features in Windows Stock Apps

Microsoft is rolling out a host of innovative AI-driven enhancements for its Windows operating system, especially for users with Copilot+ PCs. This update targets several stock applications, including Paint, Snipping Tool, and Photos, making them more user-friendly and efficient for creativity and editing tasks.

Photos App Upgrades: Introducing Relight

One of the standout features in the Photos app is the new Relight functionality. This tool allows users to manipulate lighting in their images by adding up to three customizable light sources. Users can adjust colors, brightness, and intensity to achieve the desired effect. For those who prefer a quick solution, built-in presets are available, making complex lighting adjustments simpler than ever.

This exciting Relight feature will initially be available to Windows Insiders using Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon processors, such as the latest Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models. Later updates will extend this functionality to devices powered by Intel and AMD processors.

Enhanced Functionality in Paint

Paint users can look forward to two remarkable features: Sticker Generator and Object Select. The Sticker Generator allows users to generate custom sticker packs based on prompts, which can be utilized in various applications including documents and chats, enhancing creative flexibility.

The Object Select feature harnesses AI technology to quickly isolate elements on the canvas with just one click. This advancement saves users from the hassle of manual outlining and produces more accurate results by understanding the structural context of images. Both features are expected to be available to Paint users in the Windows Insider program in the coming weeks.

Additionally, improvements have been made to the generative fill and image generation/restyling capabilities in the Photos app, which now operate on an enhanced diffusion-based model for faster and superior results.

Snipping Tool Enhancements for Effortless Screen Capturing

The latest updates to the Snipping Tool focus on optimizing screenshot functionality. The tool can now automatically adjust the capture area based on prominent on-screen content, enhancing user efficiency by reducing unnecessary cropping tasks.

The Perfect Screenshot tool in Snipping Tool

Moreover, Snipping Tool introduces two new instruments: a text extractor for copying text from images and screenshots and a color picker for capturing color values directly from your screen, similar to existing tools in PowerToys.

Narrator Improvements for Enhanced Accessibility

In a commitment to accessibility, Microsoft has updated the Narrator feature on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon processors. It now includes rich image descriptions, providing detailed insights about various elements such as images, charts, UI components, and colors. This upgrade is designed to assist users with low vision, with plans to extend these capabilities to Intel and AMD systems later this year.

These updates reflect Microsoft’s dedication to improving user experience across its software solutions, enhancing creativity, and ensuring accessibility for all users.

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