Microsoft is making Notepad, a simple text editor on Windows 11, much smarter by adding a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature called “Write.” This tool lets users create text automatically by typing simple instructions, making writing easier and faster. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding to existing text, this feature could change how people use Notepad.
How the AI “Write” Feature Works
The “Write” feature is easy to use. You place your cursor where you want new text, right-click, and choose “Write” from the menu, or use the Ctrl + Q shortcut. Then, type what you want the text to be about, like “write a short thank-you note” or “create a to-do list.” After clicking “Send,” the AI instantly generates the text in Notepad. If you like the result, you can keep it by clicking “Keep text.” If it’s not what you wanted, you can click “Discard” or give the AI more instructions to improve the text.
To use this feature, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account, and it uses credits from a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Copilot Pro subscription.
Notepad’s Journey to Becoming Smarter
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has added AI to Notepad. In November 2023, they introduced a tool called “Rewrite” that could polish text, adjust its tone, or change sentence lengths. Later, in December 2023, they added a character counter, and in July 2024, they included spell-check and auto-correction features. These updates are turning Notepad into a powerful tool for writing, far beyond its original simple design.
Option to Keep Things Simple
If you prefer the classic Notepad without AI, you can turn off the AI tools in the settings. You can even uninstall the new version and use the basic Notepad that comes with Windows.
Who Can Try It?
Right now, the “Write” feature is only available to people testing Windows 11 through the Insider program, specifically those using the Canary or Dev channels with Notepad version 11.2504.46.0. Microsoft is clearly working to make Notepad a more advanced tool, which could be helpful for both everyday and professional writing in the future.
