- Microsoft is updating the Notepad app to include a new “Cowriter” feature that uses generative AI.
- This AI feature should help users write text, create lists, or even draft emails, all within Notepad.
- The update is part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to integrate AI into their software, making tasks easier and more efficient for users.
UPDATED 1/12/2024: Notepad, the classic text editor that has been part of Windows since its early days, is getting a new generative AI feature. Microsoft hasn’t officially made any announcement, but the latest preview of Windows 11 (via @PhantomOfEarth in X) reveals code that points out a new “Cowritter” feature that could arrive in upcoming updates that will allow users to experience a new level of assistance in their writing text.
The new AI feature appears in the top-right corner, and it seems that users will have different options, including “Rewrite,” “Make shorter,” “Make longer,” “Change tone,” and “Change format.” Although the options are self-explanatory, it’s unclear how the chatbot integration will work in Notepad.
The “Change tone” menu includes six different tones, including neutral, formal, casual, inspirational, humor, and even pirate. The “Change format” menu includes five different options, including default, paragraph, business, academic, and poetry.
In addition, you will be able to access Cowriter from the context menu when text is selected. Furthermore, the Notepad context menu will also include a new “Explain with Copilot” option that will allow you to send any selection of code or text directly to the chatbot.
Also, it’s interesting to note that Notepad’s Cowriter will include a credit system similar to the one found in the Paint app with the Cocreator feature to create images with AI, meaning you will have a limited number of tries to use the chatbot. It’s also unclear whether users will have to pay for extra credits or wait a certain amount of time before the credits get replenished again, or the AI will simply run a lower priority when the user runs out of tries.
Furthermore, @teroalhonen on X has discovered various system files referring to this Cowriter for Notepad, including a marketing image that shows a preview of the AI feature in action. The image shows a floating interface as the user selects some text with options to change the length, tone, and format and choose different instructions. In addition, there are options to rewrite and replace the text, among other settings.
The interface is similar to the Copilot experience the company is working on for the Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Since the code already appears integrated into Windows 11, this could indicate that Microsoft could soon start testing the feature with participants of the Windows Insider Program before making the feature available in the stable channel.
Although Notepad remained unchanged for many years, since the release of Windows 11, the company has been improving the note-taking app in many ways with a fresh interface with dark mode support, tab system, new text support, the ability to keep unsaved content even after restarting the computer, and recently, the team added a character counter. However, Microsoft appears to be taking Notepad to the next level with AI.
The software giant is already working on the next major release of Windows (internally known as Hudson Valley) that will focus on integrating AI more deeply into the operating system and products, including Notepad, as we see today.
Some of these new AI-powered integrations and features include enhancements for Windows Search, a new timeline feature, automatic upscaling capabilities for videos and games, live wallpapers, and more.
As Microsoft has said, 2024 is a big year for AI on Windows. Furthermore, the company even announced that new computers will soon start shipping a new Copilot key on keyboards.
Although these are great innovations, I do share some skepticism with many other people about the many AI features coming to Windows that may end up bloating the system even more. Also, these features could pose a privacy concern and cause users to switch to another platform.
What are your thoughts about Notepad getting AI on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments below.
Update January 12, 2024: This content was updated to include additional information about the upcoming feature.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.