Microsoft has quietly inserted a “Microsoft AI Labs” sign-up prompt into the Settings menu of its Paint app on Windows 11, inviting users to register for experimental AI features without requiring Copilot+ hardware or an Insider build. The move, first spotted by Windows Latest and confirmed by Gadgets 360 staff, appears to be a trial balloon—a way for Microsoft to gauge interest and gather real-world feedback while sidestepping the usual hardware gating that has accompanied on-device AI in Windows.

What’s New in Paint: A Quiet Invitation

The change is subtle. Open Microsoft Paint on a Windows 11 PC, click the gear icon in the top-right corner, and some users now see a new “Microsoft AI Labs” label. A pop-up explains: “Discover the latest AI-powered tools in Paint. Sign up to try them out and share feedback to help shape the future of creativity.”

Tapping the sign-up button triggers a registration flow. Gadgets 360 staffers who signed up received a message saying, “You’re all set. Stay tuned for new features in the app. We’ll notify you when new features are ready for you to explore.” Others, including some who tested the feature for Windows Latest, encountered an error when trying to complete the sign-up. The invitation does not immediately unlock any new tools—it is a waiting-room-style opt-in.

The rollout appears staggered and not tied to any known criteria. Gadgets 360 observed the prompt on standard non-Copilot+ PCs, while some Copilot+ devices did not show it. This suggests Microsoft is not limiting the experiment to devices with a neural processing unit (NPU), breaking from the pattern of gating on-device AI features behind Copilot+ certification.

A Closer Look at the Sign-Up Process

The Microsoft AI Labs prompt is separate from the Windows Insider Program and does not require a beta build of the operating system. It sits alongside the existing Copilot button that has been rolling out to Paint insiders, which consolidates AI tools like Cocreator, Image Creator, and Generative Erase into one menu.

After sign-up, users are left with a confirmation message—or an error—and no further instructions. Microsoft has not published a public FAQ, privacy statement, or program page for Microsoft AI Labs. The company has not officially announced the platform at all, making this one of the most quietly launched public experiments in recent Windows history.

The in-app sign-up method is a departure from typical Windows feature previews, which are usually delivered through Insider flights or the Windows Feature Experience Pack. By embedding the invitation directly in Paint, Microsoft can target users who are actively using the app and collect telemetry that reflects real-world creative workflows.

What This Means for You

The impact of this change varies depending on how you use Windows 11.

For Everyday Users

If you see the invite, you face a simple choice: sign up and wait, or ignore it. Signing up does not alter your current Paint experience, and there is no immediate benefit. However, it does signal to Microsoft that you are interested in experimental AI features, which may lead to you receiving server-side updates in the future that could change how Paint works—potentially adding new buttons, tools, or file formats without further notice.

Privacy-conscious users should note that Microsoft has not detailed what data is collected during the sign-up or how future AI features will handle content. Some existing Paint AI features use cloud-based models (such as DALL-E integration), while others are designed to run on-device on Copilot+ hardware. The AI Labs program could blend both, and the lack of a clear privacy notice means users signing up are doing so on faith.

For Power Users and Creators

Power users who rely on Paint for quick edits or creative work should watch for new file formats. Recent Paint updates introduced a “.paint project” file type alongside traditional PNG and JPEG exports. If AI Labs features introduce new workflows that rely on proprietary formats, you could face compatibility and lock-in issues. The prudent approach: always save parallel exports in standard formats until Microsoft documents the .paint project format and interoperability guarantees.

Also, keep an eye on credit systems. Many of Paint’s existing generative features are tied to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscriptions, with monthly AI credit limits. If AI Labs features eventually include generative imagery, they may burn through credits without clear warnings. Check your subscription status and any AI credit dashboards that Microsoft may surface in Settings.

For IT Administrators

Experimental features delivered via server-side gating, rather than standard updates, create a governance headache. Employees may see new AI tools in Paint without any administrator approval, potentially sending company data to cloud models or generating content that violates internal policies.

Administrators should audit endpoints to identify which devices are already showing the AI Labs prompt. Since the rollout does not depend on Insider builds or Copilot+ hardware, it can appear on any Windows 11 machine. Pilot the feature on a representative subset of devices and evaluate how it interacts with data loss prevention (DLP), backup, and eDiscovery workflows. Update acceptable use policies to explicitly cover generative AI in inbox apps, and use per-app privacy controls—if available in your version—to restrict AI model access until governance is in place.

The Road to AI Labs: How Microsoft Got Here

Microsoft’s AI integration in Paint has accelerated rapidly over the past two years. The timeline tells the story:

  • Late 2023: Paint gains Image Creator and background removal tools, using cloud-based models. Users quickly notice the new buttons.
  • Early 2024: Cocreator arrives, leveraging DALL-E to generate detailed images from text prompts. This feature, too, runs in the cloud.
  • Mid-2024: Generative Erase and object select tools debut, turning Paint into a more powerful photo editor.
  • Late 2024: Microsoft introduces a unified Copilot button in Paint for Insiders, consolidating AI tools into one menu and previewing a new .paint project file format.
  • 2025: With the launch of Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft begins gating certain AI features—particularly those that run inference on-device—behind NPU-equipped hardware. But the company also continues to ship cloud-dependent AI features to all Windows 11 users.

The AI Labs sign-up, appearing in September 2025, fits into this timeline as a next step: a cross-hardware testing program that could unify cloud and on-device AI experiments under one banner, while bypassing the strict hardware requirements that have frustrated non-Copilot+ owners.

Microsoft’s strategy has always been tiered. Copilot+ hardware delivers low-latency, privacy-preserving on-device AI, while cloud models handle heavier generative work for all devices. The AI Labs prompt seems designed to widen the testing pool for both, especially for features that might eventually run locally on a broader range of hardware.

Your Next Steps

Whether you are a casual user, a creative professional, or an IT decision-maker, here is what you should do now:

If you see the AI Labs invite in Paint:
- Read the prompt carefully. Sign up only if you are comfortable with experimental features and understand that Microsoft has not published formal documentation.
- Check your privacy settings. Navigate to Settings → Privacy & security in Windows and look for any new toggles under “Generative AI” or “App permissions.” Microsoft has begun surfacing per-app AI controls here, though their availability varies by build.
- Keep standard file exports. Until the .paint project format is documented and widely supported, always save a PNG, JPEG, or PSD copy of any important work.
- Monitor your AI credits. If you use Image Creator or Cocreator frequently, track your credit usage through your Microsoft account dashboard to avoid surprises when new features launch.

For IT administrators:
- Inventory affected devices. Run a script or use endpoint management tools to check which devices are showing the AI Labs prompt in Paint. Note: the prompt may appear on machines that are not enrolled in Insider builds.
- Pilot AI experiments on a small group of test devices before allowing broad adoption. Pay attention to how generated content is handled by your DLP and backup systems.
- Update policies. Communicate explicitly whether employees may sign up for Microsoft AI Labs or use generative AI features in Paint. Define what data can be submitted to cloud models and provide clear reporting procedures for inappropriate outputs.
- Restrict if necessary. If your organization requires strict control, use Windows Settings to disable generative AI access for certain apps (if the toggle is available in your build) or block the Microsoft Store app updates for Paint until governance is in place.

What to Watch For

The next few months will likely bring answers to the open questions surrounding Microsoft AI Labs:

  • Official announcement: Expect a blog post or support article that outlines the scope, privacy practices, and eligibility rules for the program. Watch the Windows Insider blog and Microsoft’s AI blog for updates.
  • Hardware and subscription ties: Will AI Labs membership eventually require a Copilot+ PC or a Microsoft 365 subscription? The current sign-up suggests no, but that could change as features mature.
  • The .paint project format: Microsoft will need to document this format and provide enterprise handling guidance if it becomes the default save option for AI-enhanced projects.
  • Moderation and safety: As generative AI reaches a wider audience through Paint, Microsoft will face pressure to maintain robust safety filters—especially given Paint’s use by children and schools.

For now, the AI Labs invite in Paint is a small signal of a larger transformation. Windows 11 is quietly becoming a canvas for hybrid AI experiments that blend cloud power and local processing, and Microsoft is inviting everyone—not just hardware early adopters—to join the test.