Microsoft adds productive AI feature to simple text editor Notepad

Simple text editors offer a way to edit or type plain text without fancy formatting or other features usually associated with word processors. There are various text editors on the market that are generally used by coders and programmers; Microsoft’s Notepad is one of the best known.

Windows Notepad’s new AI ‘Rewrite’ feature is coming soon, image source: Microsoft.

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Windows Notepad has been a part of Microsoft’s popular operating system since version 1.0 and has received numerous updates. Although its core functions remain the same, new features and tools have been added. During the Windows 10 era, Microsoft added zoom capabilities to Notepad and the ability to highlight text and search for that phrase or text string in Bing.

Now Microsoft is adding generative AI tools and features available in Notebook 11.2410.15.0 for Windows Insiders in Canary and Developer Channels for Windows 11.

“With this update, we introduce the ability to rewrite content in Notepad with the help of generative AI,” Microsoft writes in its announcement. “To improve your text, you can rephrase sentences, adjust tone, and change the length of your content based on your preferences.”

How it works: Highlight the test you want rewritten by the AI; The new Rewrite tool will create three variations for you to choose from. You can also refine the output or customize the settings to fit what you’re looking for and then select Retry to get more variations. Some options include lengthening or shortening highlighted text and changing the tone.

This preview of Notepad’s new AI Rewrite tool is only available to Windows 11 users in the United States, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany. Notepad Rewrite is cloud-based and requires AI Credits, available to Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscribers.