Microsoft is turning the simple Notepad app into something smarter. In a new update rolling out to Windows Insiders on the Canary and Dev channels, Notepad is getting a fresh AI-powered feature that lets you summarize text instantly.
It’s part of Microsoft’s push to bring more useful AI tools directly into Windows 11.
How the AI Summaries in Notepad Work
Let’s say you have a long note or block of text open in Notepad. Instead of reading through it all, you can now:
- Highlight the text
- Right-click and select Summarize
- Or press Ctrl + M
- Or select Summarize from the Copilot menu
The AI will give you a short summary of the content you selected. You can also adjust the length of the summary if you want it shorter or more detailed.
To use this feature, you’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account. But if AI isn’t your thing, don’t worry you can turn it off in Notepad’s settings.
Notepad’s Glow-Up Doesn’t End There
Along with summaries, Notepad is also testing a recently closed files feature. This means you can easily reopen notes you accidentally closed—just like in a browser. Super handy for multitaskers!
Snipping Tool Just Got Smarter Too
Another beloved Windows tool, Snipping Tool, is getting a new trick called “draw & hold.”
Here’s how it works:
- When you draw on a screenshot like a line, arrow, rectangle, or oval just hold your cursor in place for a second.
- The tool will automatically straighten your drawing into a clean, neat shape.
- You can then move, resize, or adjust the shape however you like.
It’s a small feature, but one that could save a lot of frustration when marking up screenshots. And yes, it’s quite similar to a feature already found on Apple devices.
A Step Forward for Everyday Users
Microsoft has slowly been adding AI features across its apps, and bringing them into tools like Notepad and Snipping Tool makes sense. These are apps people use every day, and small upgrades like these can make a big difference in productivity and convenience.
As of now, these features are still in testing so only Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels can try them out. But if all goes well, we could see them roll out more broadly in a future Windows 11 update.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft’s updates to Notepad and Snipping Tool show that even the simplest tools can benefit from smart, helpful features. Whether you’re summarizing text or cleaning up a screenshot, these upgrades are designed to make your life a little easier.
What do you think of AI in Notepad? Are you excited to try it out, or do you prefer to keep things old-school? Let us know in the comments!