Microsoft has introduced a fresh update for Windows Insider participants in the Beta and Canary channels, featuring AI-driven enhancements for Notepad and new drawing tools for the Snipping Tool.
AI-Powered Summarization in Notepad
The latest version of Notepad (11.2501.29.0) incorporates the new Copilot AI functionality. This feature enables users to quickly generate concise summaries of selected text. By highlighting text, right-clicking, and selecting ‘Summarize’ (or using the shortcut Ctrl + M), users can receive an AI-generated summary that cuts down on lengthy content.
This tool proves especially useful for reviewing long documents, notes, or sections of text. Users can modify the summary length or toggle the feature on or off through Notepad’s settings. However, the summarization tool is only available to Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Copilot Pro subscribers, who will need AI credits to access this feature.
Additionally, Notepad now includes a ‘Recent Files’ option under the File menu, making it easier to revisit documents that have been recently edited. For those who prefer not to keep a history of recently accessed files, the list can be cleared or disabled within the app settings.
Snipping Tool’s New Precision Drawing Feature
Alongside these updates to Notepad, the Snipping Tool has received its own upgrades in version 11.2502.18.0, notably the introduction of the ‘Draw & Hold’ feature. This improvement enhances the accuracy of shapes drawn with the pen tool. When users draw lines, arrows, rectangles, or ovals, holding the cursor still momentarily will transform the stroke into a clean, defined shape. The shapes can then be resized, moved, or edited before finalizing the capture.
Furthermore, Microsoft has improved the Snipping Tool’s integration with third-party apps. The updated protocol allows developers to customize the capture features when invoked from external applications, providing greater flexibility and better security.
These updates emphasize Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI into everyday tasks, aiming to boost productivity and streamline workflows for users across its Windows platform.
