Quick Summary
The Securityish Brief
Microsoft is rolling out updates to Notepad and Paint for Windows 11 Insiders, specifically those in the Canary and Dev Channels. The Notepad update, version 11.2512.10.0, introduces AI-generated features such as Write, Rewrite, and Summarize, which allow users to see previews of generated content more quickly. Users are required to sign in with their Microsoft accounts to access these features.
In addition to AI capabilities, Notepad has expanded its support for Markdown syntax, enabling users to utilize nested lists and strikethrough text. A new welcome screen has also been added to help users discover these features upon first launch.
Paint, updated to version 11.2512.191.0, now includes a Coloring Book feature that generates coloring pages from custom text prompts, available only on Copilot+ PCs and requiring Microsoft account authentication. This version also introduces a fill tolerance slider for the Fill tool, giving users more control over color application.
These updates are part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to integrate AI into its software offerings, enhancing user experience while requiring account authentication for access to new features. Users who prefer not to use these AI tools can disable them or revert to the built-in notepad.exe program.
Microsoft encourages feedback through the Windows Feedback Hub to improve these applications and address any bugs that may arise.
- Notepad version 11.2512.10.0: Introduces AI features for Write, Rewrite, and Summarize, offering faster previews.
- Expanded Markdown support: Allows for nested lists and strikethrough text in Notepad.
- Paint version 11.2512.191.0: Adds a Coloring Book feature that generates coloring pages from text prompts.
- Fill tolerance slider in Paint: Provides users with control over how the Fill tool applies color.
- Account authentication: Required for accessing new features in both Notepad and Paint.
Key Takeaways
- Sign in to your Microsoft account to access the new AI features in Notepad and Paint.
- Explore the expanded Markdown support in Notepad to enhance your document formatting.
- Try the Coloring Book feature in Paint to create custom coloring pages from your text prompts.
- Utilize the fill tolerance slider in Paint to experiment with color application effects.
- Provide feedback through the Windows Feedback Hub to help improve the performance of these applications.
Key Terms & Concepts
- Markdown: In this article, Markdown refers to a lightweight markup language used for formatting text.
- AI-generated features: In this article, AI-generated features refer to tools that use artificial intelligence to create or modify content automatically.
- Copilot+ PCs: In this article, Copilot+ PCs are devices that support advanced AI features in Microsoft applications.
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A weekly digest of cybersecurity news, phishing alerts, privacy tips, and emerging threats, simplified so anyone can understand what matters and why.