Windows Notepad is about to get even more useful
Microsoft is bringing AI capabilities to its simplified Notepad app, known for its plain text functions, like saving .txt files.
The new feature, called Rewrite, will allow you to create alternative text that suits your specific needs. You will be able to modify the text to be longer, shorter, or written in a specific tone or format. This feature will generate three different variations for you to choose from, and you will also have the option to try again if none of the results meet your criteria.
The feature works by selecting the desired text and right-clicking on it – or selecting Ctrl + I using your keyboard. This will bring up a text box displaying AI-generated alternative text options, Microsoft said in its Windows Insider blog.
Microsoft is clearly not the only brand using AI to help users improve their writing. The Rewrite feature is similar to Google Workspace’s Summarize and Revise features, and ChromeOS’s Help Me Write feature.
The Rewrite feature will be available as a software update for the upcoming Notepad 11.2410.15.0 release for Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. Microsoft has made it clear that you need a Microsoft account to use the Rewrite Preview in Notepad.
The feature is available on Windows 11 in the US, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. Additionally, users in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family and Copilot Pro subscribers can use AI credits to use Rewrite in Notepad.
Since Rewrite was released as a preview, there is no information on whether the feature will be available as a full release.
In addition to Rewrite, Microsoft has also made detailed updates to Paint, including generative fill and generative erase.