Microsoft is rolling out an unusually coordinated set of updates to three classic Windows apps—Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad—with the standout being Notepad’s new ability to run generative AI tasks entirely on-device, free and without an internet connection, on Copilot+ PCs. Released to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels on September 17, 2025, the updates also bring a long-requested project file format to Paint and a real-time annotation overlay to the Snipping Tool.

These apps, largely ignored for years, have quietly become a testbed for Microsoft’s hybrid AI ambitions. The latest builds—Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, and Notepad 11.2508.28.0—deliver immediate, practical improvements while hinting at a future where even the simplest tools lean on on-device intelligence.

Paint gets a proper project file—and a brush finesse

Paint’s biggest addition is the Save as project option, tucked under the File menu. Instead of exporting a flattened image, you can now save your multi-layer composition in a native .paint file. Reopening it restores every layer, blending mode, and brush stroke exactly as you left it. For students assembling mood boards, educators creating quick diagrams, or anyone who treats Paint as a light creative sandbox, this eliminates the tedious rework of managing separate layer files.

The update also adds an opacity slider for the Pencil and Brush tools, visible on the left toolbar. Slide it down to build translucent washes of color; slide it up for solid strokes. This single control transforms Paint’s simple brushes into tools capable of shading, glazing, and delicate blending—techniques that previously required jumping to a heavier editor.

There is a catch: Microsoft hasn’t published the .paint format specification. That means you can’t yet open these project files in other apps, and there’s no guarantee of backward compatibility with future Paint versions. Until documentation arrives, treat the project file as a working session container, not an archival format. Always keep a flattened PNG or PSD export for sharing and long-term storage.

Snipping Tool cuts out the annotation lag

Snipping Tool’s new Quick Markup is a toggleable overlay that lets you annotate a screenshot before you even finalize the capture. Hit Ctrl+E or click the Quick Markup button, draw your selection rectangle, and drawing tools appear right inside the area. You can scribble with the pen, highlight text, drop emojis, or add shapes—all without ever opening the Snipping Tool editor window. When you’re done, just click Save, Copy, or Share.

The workflow shift is dramatic. Helpdesk staff can redact sensitive information and mark up a screen in a few seconds. Technical writers can annotate UI screenshots without interrupting their train of thought. And casual users who never bothered with the separate editor are far more likely to circle something and share it on the spot.

Be mindful: Quick Markup also surfaces cloud-connected actions like Visual Search (Bing) and Ask Copilot directly from the overlay. If you’re in a corporate environment, test whether these paths send captured content to Microsoft’s servers. Privacy-conscious users may want to stick with the local Save or Copy actions until data handling is fully documented.

Notepad runs AI on your own hardware

The most consequential update lands in Notepad. Version 11.2508.28.0 introduces three Copilot-style features: Summarize, Write, and Rewrite. Select a block of text and choose Summarize to condense it. Provide a prompt and Write generates full paragraphs. Highlight a rough draft and Rewrite polishes it. On Copilot+ PCs—machines certified to include an NPU and sufficient performance headroom—these features run locally using on-device models. No internet connection is required, and no Microsoft account sign-in is needed. It’s entirely free.

Subscribers to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro can optionally switch to cloud models for potentially higher-quality output or broader language support, but the local fallback is the headline here. For writers drafting sensitive memos, students editing essays, or anyone who wants fast AI assistance without sending keystrokes to a data center, this is a genuine privacy win.

The current limitations are significant. Only English is supported at launch. Microsoft hasn’t disclosed which model runs on-device, its parameter count, or exactly how much NPU horsepower it requires. Without benchmarks, nobody can confirm whether local output matches cloud quality. And there’s no clarification on what telemetry, if any, the local models report. IT admins should treat Notepad’s AI outputs as suggestive drafts, not finished work, until transparency improves.

What this means for you

For everyday Windows users, this release is a welcome boost to tools you already use. Paint becomes a more serious creative scratchpad. Snipping Tool saves you clicks. Notepad gives you a writing coach that doesn’t need the internet. None of these changes require new hardware except the AI capabilities in Notepad, which demand a Copilot+ PC.

For power users and creators, Paint’s project file is the star. The opacity slider plus persistent layers close the gap with entry-level digital art programs. Just remember to export final work in open formats until the .paint container is fully documented.

For IT administrators and security teams, Notepad’s on-device AI reduces data-leakage risk, but the integrated cloud actions across all three apps demand attention. Quick Markup’s Visual Search, Notepad’s cloud model switch, and any future sharing shortcuts could funnel corporate data to Microsoft services. Update your data loss prevention policies and test these flows on managed devices before rolling out the updates broadly.

How we got here

Microsoft began modernizing its inbox apps about two years ago, starting with a tabbed Notepad and dark mode for Paint. The Copilot+ PC launch in 2024 introduced a hardware standard explicitly designed for local AI inference, and this Notepad update is the most visible consumer application of that strategy so far. The company is hedging: when the hardware supports it, run AI locally for speed and privacy; when it doesn’t, fall back to the cloud for subscribers. This hybrid model is likely to appear in more built-in apps over the coming year.

How to try these features now

You’ll need a PC enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, set to the Canary or Dev channel. Once you’re in, open the Microsoft Store, check for updates, and ensure you’re running Paint 11.2508.361.0, Snipping Tool 11.2508.24.0, and Notepad 11.2508.28.0.

  • For Paint: Use File > Save as project to test layer persistence. Try the opacity slider on a multi-layer canvas. Export a .paint file and a flattened PNG for safety.
  • For Snipping Tool: Press Win+Shift+S, toggle Quick Markup, draw a selection, and annotate. Test the Share and Visual Search buttons on non-sensitive content to understand where your data goes.
  • For Notepad AI: You must be on a Copilot+ certified device (check your OEM’s specifications). Open a text file, type or paste content, and highlight it to use Summarize or Rewrite. Type a prompt and use Write to generate new text. If you have a subscription, compare local and cloud outputs side by side.

Proceed with caution

These are Insider builds, not final releases. You may encounter bugs, missing features, or performance hiccups. More importantly, the unknowns around the .paint format and Notepad’s local AI models make it unwise to rely on these features for critical work today. Assume that .paint files could break in future updates unless Microsoft commits to forward compatibility. Assume on-device AI may behave differently on different hardware. And assume that cloud-connected actions will leave your device—audit them.

What to watch for

Microsoft is clearly using these apps as a pipeline for bigger hybrid AI plans. Expect documentation on the .paint format, possibly alongside third-party extension support. Look for detailed model specs and performance guidance for Notepad’s local AI, likely as part of a broader Copilot+ developer kit. And keep an eye on whether the Quick Markup overlay expands to more sharing and AI integrations. For now, the updates are a practical gift to Insiders and a clear signal that even your humblest Windows apps are getting a brain.