Microsoft’s October announcement of next-generation AI features for Windows 11 is starting to come to life. Two of these, AI-driven tools in Paint and Notepad, are now available for testing in the Canary and Dev Channels.
In Paint, AI is enhancing image editing with two powerful features: Generative Erase and Generative Fill. Generative Erase lets you highlight and remove sections of an image, filling the gap with AI-generated content that blends into the background. This function is similar to a feature found in the Photos app, though its integration into Paint makes it more versatile. For those who prefer to keep images as they are, this tool offers a way to clean up without leaving noticeable edits.
Generative Fill, meanwhile, is a significant leap forward. This feature allows you to select a portion of an image and have the AI fill it with relevant, contextually appropriate content, seamlessly integrating it into the surrounding elements. While this functionality has previously existed in tools like Photoshop, Paint’s version is simpler and free to use. However, Generative Fill will only be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, while the more accessible Generative Erase will work on any PC running the Windows Insider builds.
In addition to Paint’s updates, Notepad is also receiving a handy AI feature. The AI assistant can rewrite selected text in Notepad, adjusting the tone and length as needed. While this feature doesn’t write notes for you, it can help refine your content quickly.
These AI-powered updates are part of Paint (version 11.2410.28.0) and Notepad (version 11.2410.15.0) in the Windows Insider program. Although Microsoft’s AI Recall feature was delayed until December for privacy and security enhancements, these new tools are already available for users looking to explore the next wave of Windows 11’s AI capabilities.