AI Invades Notepad: Microsoft’s “Copilot All the Things” Strategy Continues

Microsoft is pushing its AI integration strategy even further, this time bringing Copilot to the humble Notepad app. The update allows users to generate text directly within the text editor, raising questions about the necessity of AI in such a basic tool.

To use the new “Write” feature, users must sign in with their Microsoft account and select the desired insertion point. Copilot then generates text based on the prompt, which users can review and refine before inserting it into their document. The feature can be disabled in the app’s settings.

While AI-powered writing assistance might be useful in apps like Outlook or Word, its integration into Notepad seems less practical. Notepad is typically used for simple tasks like jotting down quick notes or removing formatting from text.

This move follows Microsoft’s previous AI experiments with Notepad, including a “Rewrite” function introduced in November 2024. This function offered options to adjust text based on tone, format, and length.

Alongside Notepad, Microsoft is also adding AI features to Paint, including a sticker generator and a smart selection tool. These updates, while potentially interesting, raise the question of whether they are truly addressing user needs or simply adding features for the sake of it.

Notepad, a long-standing Windows application, has seen numerous enhancements in recent years. While some users may appreciate these additions, others may prefer the simplicity of the original text editor.

It remains to be seen whether users will embrace AI in Notepad. However, this move clearly signals Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI into every corner of its software ecosystem.

Related Articles

• Microsoft Adds Grok to Azure AI
• Microsoft Rolls Out AI-Enabled Notepad to Windows Insiders
• AI Cracking Practical Fusion Power
• 30% of Microsoft Code Now Written by AI