Introduction to AI Advancements

Microsoft is enhancing its Notepad and Snipping Tool applications in Windows 11 with innovative AI capabilities. However, it’s important to note that some of these features require a subscription to be accessed. The tech giant has introduced a feature within Notepad that provides summarization of articles, while the Snipping Tool has been upgraded to allow for effortless shape drawing.

Innovations in Notepad

As part of the latest updates for Windows 11, Notepad users in the testing phase can now quickly summarize text. By pasting content into the Notepad interface, users simply need to utilize the Copilot menu to access the Summarize function, or they can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-M after highlighting text to display the summary in a convenient popover format. However, to activate this summarization feature, a subscription to Microsoft 365 along with Copilot Pro AI credits is necessary. Reports indicate that all Notepad’s AI capabilities will be restricted to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

In addition to the AI summarization, Microsoft has also included a feature to view recent files in Notepad, which many users have long requested. This functionality can be accessed through the File > Recent menu for those using the appropriate beta version, specifically the app’s 11.2501.29.0 build. Users also have the option to clear the recent files list from this same menu.

Enhancements to the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool, which serves as Windows 11’s built-in screenshot utility, now features improved tools for annotating images. With the latest beta release, drawing shapes on screenshots has become significantly easier. For instance, if a user draws a shape that resembles an arrow, the Snipping Tool will automatically convert it into a precise line with an arrowhead. Although the tool has historically permitted users to draw various shapes, this enhancement saves valuable time by removing the need to manually select specific shapes. The new and improved Snipping Tool is available in version 11.2502.18.0.

How to Access New Features

To explore these exciting new functionalities, joining the Windows Insider program is necessary. Keep in mind that opting into this program means using less stable builds of Windows 11, so it’s wise to back up all important data and be prepared for occasional system crashes and compatibility issues. To sign up, visit the Microsoft website while on your Windows 11 device and click the Register button. Then navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and follow the prompts to complete your registration. Ensure you are on either the Dev or Canary channels of the Windows Insider program to gain access to the updates featured in this article.