Microsoft has given Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels a triple treat this week: new generative AI features inside Notepad that can run entirely on-device, a native project file format and opacity slider for Paint, and a quick inline markup tool for Snipping Tool. The most eyebrow-raising change is Notepad’s addition of Summarize, Write, and Rewrite capabilities that, on Copilot+ PCs, work without a Microsoft 365 subscription—the AI runs locally using the device’s neural processing unit (NPU). It’s a clear signal that Microsoft is serious about bringing hybrid AI (part local, part cloud) to everyday Windows utilities.

Notepad’s Local AI: What Copilot+ Owners Get for Free

Starting with the latest Insider build, Notepad on Copilot+ certified devices gets a trio of text-generation tools. Summarize condenses selected text into a shorter version. Write helps you generate new text from a prompt. Rewrite suggests alternative phrasings. The twist: on Copilot+ hardware, these work offline and without a paid plan—the inference happens on the NPU. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can toggle to a cloud-based model for potentially more powerful results or multi-language support, but the default local execution keeps your data on-device. For now, the feature supports only English, but broader language rollout is expected.

The local AI model details—architecture, size, training data—haven’t been disclosed by Microsoft. That lack of transparency may give IT departments pause, but for everyday users, the immediate benefit is a privacy-respecting, subscription-free AI assistant right inside the humble Notepad. Just keep in mind that, like any AI, the output may contain errors, so a human review is wise before acting on it.

Paint’s New Tricks: .paint Project Files and Opacity Slider

The Insider flight also bumps Paint to version 11.2508.361.0, adding two long-requested features. First, you can now save your work as a .paint project file, which preserves layers and current edits so you can resume later without flattening everything to a PNG. It’s essentially a native container format for Paint, akin to Photoshop’s PSD but in a lighter, Windows-native wrapper. Second, a new opacity slider appears beside the Pencil and Brush tools, letting you adjust stroke transparency on the fly—great for shading, glazing, and soft blending without complex layer workarounds.

For digital artists, students, and anyone who uses Paint for more than quick doodles, these changes turn the app into a genuinely iterative editor. The .paint file is ideal for ongoing projects, though Microsoft hasn’t documented the format’s internals, so treat it as Paint-only for now. Always export a flattened PNG or JPEG for archival and sharing with non-Paint tools.

Snipping Tool’s Quick Markup: Annotations Right in the Capture

Snipping Tool (version 11.2508.24.0) now shows a Quick markup toolbar the moment you select a screen region to capture. Instead of opening a separate editor window, you can immediately annotate inside the selected area with a pen, highlighter, eraser, and even shapes. Once you’re done, buttons let you share the image, initiate a Visual Search with Bing, or ask Copilot—all without saving a file to disk. This tightly integrated workflow slashes the time between capture and share, making it a boon for documentation, bug reporting, and quick visual explanations.

Be aware, though: Actions like Visual Search and Ask Copilot likely send image data to Microsoft’s cloud. If you handle sensitive screenshots, you may want to stick to local annotation and avoid those cloud options until your organization’s data-loss prevention (DLP) policies can be verified.

What This Means for You, Depending on Who You Are

For home users on Copilot+ hardware: Notepad’s local AI is a tangible upgrade—free, offline, and privacy-focused. You can draft, rewrite, and summarize text without worrying about your data traversing the internet. Paint’s .paint files and opacity slider unlock more creative possibilities for personal projects, and Snipping Tool’s quick markup makes sharing annotated screenshots a breeze.

For power users and creators: The .paint format could become a lightweight alternative to more complex editing suites for iterative work. However, interoperability is a question mark; cross-compatibility with tools like GIMP or Photoshop isn’t guaranteed. The opacity slider finally makes digital painting in Paint feel more natural, and Notepad’s AI can speed up note-taking or drafting.

For IT professionals and admins: These seemingly small updates carry big implications. The local AI model’s unknown provenance and behavior raise questions about accuracy, data processing, and regulatory compliance. The .paint file format needs to be indexed and backed up correctly in enterprise environments. Snipping Tool’s cloud-connected actions create new potential data egress points. Before rolling out to a wider pool, pilot these features on representative Copilot+ hardware, test DLP and eDiscovery workflows, and update your documentation regarding acceptable use of AI features.

How We Got Here: The Inbox App Renaissance

It wasn’t long ago that Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool were frozen-in-time utilities. The turnaround started around 2022: Paint received layers and background removal; Snipping Tool gained screen recording and automatic text extraction (OCR); Notepad got a tabbed interface and dark mode. Since 2023, Microsoft has been weaving Copilot into Windows, and with the 2024 launch of Copilot+ PCs—devices equipped with dedicated NPUs—the stage was set for local AI. The current Insider updates are the latest expression of that hybrid AI vision: using ubiquitous inbox apps as testbeds for features that demonstrate the NPU’s value without forcing every user into a subscription.

How to Start Testing These Features Right Now

If you’re keen to try them, you’ll need a Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Dev or Canary channel of the Insider Program. Here’s a step-by-step:

  1. Enroll: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, choose Dev or Canary (Canary is less stable but gets features sooner).
  2. Update Windows: Check for updates and install the latest build.
  3. Update the apps: Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and fetch updates for Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool. Confirm versions: Paint should be at least 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool at least 11.2508.24.0. (Notepad’s version wasn’t specified, but the Insider flight will include it.)
  4. For Notepad’s local AI: Ensure your device is Copilot+ certified. If you’re unsure, check your PC manufacturer’s specs. The feature will appear as an icon or menu item inside Notepad when you select text or open a new file.
  5. For Paint’s .paint files: Use “Save as” and choose the .paint format. The opacity slider appears automatically in the Brushes panel.
  6. For Snipping Tool’s quick markup: Use Win+Shift+S or launch Snipping Tool, select a capture mode, and after selecting an area, you’ll see the new annotation toolbar.

For enterprise pilot groups: In addition to the above, actively test how .paint files behave with your backup servers and cloud sync tools. Monitor network traffic when using Visual Search or Ask Copilot in Snipping Tool. Set clear expectations: Notepad’s AI output should be reviewed by a human before it hits any official documentation or communication.

What’s Next on the Horizon

Given Microsoft’s rapid insider cadence, these features will likely evolve before hitting the stable channel. Expect more languages for Notepad’s local AI, perhaps even custom model fine-tuning options down the road. The .paint format may receive documentation or export hooks if community feedback is loud enough. And Snipping Tool’s quick markup might gain more annotation tools or AI-assisted editing. Above all, watch for more inbox apps to inherit similar AI injection—File Explorer, Photos, and the clipboard history are all candidates.

For now, these updates deliver practical, everyday value while laying the groundwork for a Windows experience where local AI is as familiar as a right-click. If you’re an Insider, dive in; if you’re an IT admin, start planning your pilot; if you’re a regular user, this is a preview of a smarter, more capable Windows coming soon to your PC.