Artificial Intelligence Integration Coming to Free Notepad Version in Windows 11, Enabling Text Generation and Summarization Capabilities
Microsoft is bringing a significant update to the traditional text editor, Notepad, on Windows 11. This latest version (11.2508.28.0) is currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels.
This update follows a series of recent enhancements to Notepad, including the addition of tabs, a character counter, spell-check, and autocorrect. However, the most notable change is the integration of AI features, which significantly evolves the basic text editor.
The new AI-powered tools include "Write", "Rewrite", and "Summarize". The "Write" feature allows users to generate text from a simple prompt, while "Rewrite" can adjust the tone, format, and length of existing content. The "Summarize" function helps users quickly condense long documents into concise overviews.
This hybrid approach makes premium AI tools available to a broader audience while offering advanced options for subscribers. Users who prefer the classic, no-frills experience will have the option to disable the new AI features in the app's settings.
It's important to note that the initial rollout of these features supports English-language content only. However, the new version of Notepad offers a hybrid model that allows users with Microsoft 365 subscriptions to switch between free, on-device and enhanced, cloud-based models.
The manufacturer of the Copilot+ PCs, which are integrated with these AI features, is Microsoft itself. These PCs, specifically the Surface Laptop Copilot+ models, use Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and are branded as Microsoft Surface devices.
It is expected that this update will become available to all Windows 11 users with compatible hardware in the coming weeks. This development promises to make everyday tasks more efficient and productive for users, marking a significant step forward in the integration of AI in everyday applications.
