Notepad evolves from a minimalist tool to an AI-enhanced writing assistant with Microsoft’s new ‘write’ feature.

Microsoft has reimagined one of its most iconic and barebones apps—Notepad—by adding a powerful AI assistant called “Write.” Once just a blank space for jotting down notes or quick thoughts, Notepad is now stepping into the artificial intelligence age as part of the tech giant’s latest Copilot Plus initiative.

This isn’t just a minor upgrade. “Write,” currently in testing for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, transforms the traditionally passive text editor into a collaborative writing tool. Users can now prompt Notepad’s AI to generate content, rewrite sentences, change tone, or tighten length—all by simply right-clicking in the document and selecting the new “Write” option.

Once invoked, a prompt box powered by Windows Copilot appears, allowing users to issue a request. Whether it’s asking the AI to draft an email, refine a paragraph, or turn casual notes into something publication-ready, the tool responds with a fully written suggestion. From there, users can accept, reject, or refine the AI’s output further.

It’s the most ambitious AI leap for Notepad yet. The text editor has previously been given subtle upgrades like “Summarize” and “Rewrite,” tools aimed at improving structure and tone. But “Write” adds a whole new layer—taking the editor from simple utility to a dynamic AI-driven workspace.

Notepad isn’t alone in this transformation. Microsoft is pushing AI features across its legacy apps, including Paint and the Snipping Tool. Paint now boasts a sticker generator that uses text prompts to create custom images, as well as a smart object selection tool that discerns between foreground and background elements. Meanwhile, the Snipping Tool uses AI to automatically crop and resize screenshots, predicting what the user wants to capture.

These enhancements are designed to bring creativity and productivity closer together, whether users are working on detailed graphics or casual writing tasks. It’s part of a broader push from Microsoft to weave generative AI into the fabric of everyday computing experiences.

However, there are caveats. To access these new features, users must be signed into a Microsoft account and run Windows 11 on one of the new Copilot Plus PCs. These machines are optimised for AI tasks and will become the primary hosts for future Copilot features. Additionally, Microsoft has implemented a credit-based system to meter use of the AI tools, although exact pricing or limits have yet to be announced.

Despite its simplicity, Notepad remains a widely used tool across Windows devices, making this upgrade especially significant. For many, it’s a familiar space—uncluttered and easy to use. With “Write,” Microsoft aims to retain that accessibility while offering users the benefits of generative AI, encouraging creativity without overcomplicating the interface.

The rollout marks a new chapter in Microsoft’s AI journey. What once started with powerful tools in Office apps like Word and Excel has now trickled down to the most basic of programs, showing that AI isn’t just for power users anymore—it’s being built into the bones of the operating system.

The future of writing on Windows is no longer just about typing—it’s about collaboration between human intent and machine intelligence. And with this Notepad evolution, Microsoft is making it clear: even the simplest tools can become powerful when paired with the right AI.