Microsoft has rolled out AI enhancements to its Notepad, beginning with Windows Insiders. The update offers features such as Summarize, Write, and Rewrite, available for Copilot+ PCs without the need for a subscription.

The new features allow users with Copilot+ PCs to bypass subscriptions by operating on local models instead of relying on cloud-based solutions. Meanwhile, users without Copilot+ PCs will require a subscription to access these features via a right-click in Notepad.

Historically simple, Notepad has been part of Windows for decades, but Microsoft continues to augment it with AI functionalities that users may not necessarily need. These options can be deactivated in the settings.

Beyond Notepad, Microsoft has also added functionality to other apps like Paint, offering project file saves and an opacity slider. Similarly, the Snipping tool received quick markup capabilities for image editing.

Despite Microsoft’s push for Copilot+ PCs, these units seem to lack consumer interest. However, as AI capabilities become more common in hardware, applications demanding AI hardware might ease transitions.