Microsoft adds local AI writing tools in Notepad

Microsoft’s Notepad app is no longer just a barebones text editor. With the latest Insider update, Notepad (version 11.2508.28.0) now supports AI-powered tools on Copilot+ PCs, and they work without a subscription.

The new features include Summarize, Write, and Rewrite, giving users the ability to generate or refine text directly within Notepad. For example, you can condense lengthy notes, draft a quick paragraph, or enhance existing sentences with a single click.

What makes this update interesting is the flexibility between local and cloud models. On Copilot+ PCs, users who aren’t signed in, or who don’t have a Copilot subscription, can still access the local AI model. Those with a subscription can switch seamlessly between local processing and the cloud for more advanced tasks.

Currently, these tools support English only, but they bring an accessible layer of AI writing to a classic Windows app. By baking AI directly into Notepad, Microsoft is positioning it as a smarter everyday tool for both casual note-taking and productivity tasks.

Moreover, Snipping Tool is adding faster annotation tools, alongside updates to the Paint app in Windows 11.