Microsoft has started rolling out a new set of AI-powered updates to Microsoft Paint and Notepad for users enrolled in the Windows Insider programme. Announced via an official Windows blog post, these enhancements are currently available to testers in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11, with a broader rollout expected in the coming months. The updates introduce creative and productivity-focused features, including an AI Colouring Book in Paint and expanded Markdown and AI text tools in Notepad, highlighting Microsoft’s continued push to integrate artificial intelligence across core Windows apps.
Microsoft Paint Gets AI Colouring Book Feature
One of the most notable additions is the AI Colouring Book feature in Microsoft Paint, which allows users to generate custom colouring pages using simple text prompts. By typing a description, users can instantly transform natural language into simplified line art, similar to children’s colouring books. These designs can be coloured digitally or printed for hand colouring.
To access the feature, users can open Paint and select the Colouring Book option, where a text box appears for entering prompts. The AI then generates clean, minimal outlines based on the description. However, this feature is currently exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, and users must sign in with a Microsoft account to use it.
Enhanced Fill Tool for Better Precision
In addition to the colouring book, Microsoft Paint has also received a fill tolerance slider. This new control allows users to fine-tune how the Fill tool applies colour within selected areas. By adjusting the slider, users can control how strictly the fill adheres to boundaries, reducing unwanted bleed-over. This enhancement is particularly useful for detailed artwork, shading effects, and precise colouring tasks, making Paint more versatile for creative users.
Notepad Gets Markdown and AI Text Enhancements
Microsoft has also introduced several upgrades to Notepad, significantly improving its functionality. The update expands Markdown support, adding features such as strikethrough text and nested lists. These formatting options can be accessed via keyboard shortcuts, a formatting toolbar, or by typing Markdown syntax directly into the document.
Notepad now also includes a new welcome experience, designed to highlight recently added features when users open the app for the first time after updating. This aims to help users quickly discover new tools without disrupting their workflow.
Faster AI Text Tools with Streaming Previews
The existing AI-powered text tools in Notepad — Write, Rewrite, and Summarise — have also been improved. Microsoft has enhanced their behaviour by introducing streaming previews, allowing results to appear progressively instead of waiting for the entire response to load. This enables users to interact with generated text as it is produced, improving efficiency and usability.
These AI features function whether the processing happens locally on the device or in the cloud, but users must be signed in with a Microsoft account to access them.
Quick Reference Summary
| Feature | Details |
| Paint AI Colouring Book | Generates colouring pages from text prompts |
| Paint Fill Tolerance Slider | Improves precision of Fill tool |
| Notepad Markdown Support | Strikethrough, nested lists, shortcuts |
| AI Text Tools | Write, Rewrite, Summarise with streaming previews |
| Availability | Windows Insider (Canary & Dev Channels) |
| Hardware Requirement | Copilot+ PCs (for colouring book feature) |
Who Can Access These Features
Currently, the updates are limited to Windows Insiders testing Windows 11 in the Canary and Dev channels. Microsoft has confirmed that these features are not yet available globally, but will be rolled out to a wider audience in the coming months after testing and feedback.
Why This Update Matters
These updates signal Microsoft’s intention to modernise classic Windows apps by integrating AI-driven creativity and productivity tools. By enhancing Paint and Notepad — two of the most widely used built-in applications — Microsoft is making AI more accessible for everyday tasks, from creative expression to efficient text editing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| What new AI feature is coming to Microsoft Paint? |
| An AI Colouring Book feature that generates colouring pages from text prompts. |
| Is the Paint AI Colouring Book available on all PCs? |
| No, it is currently limited to Copilot+ PCs. |
| What new features are added to Notepad? |
| Expanded Markdown support, a new welcome experience, and improved AI text tools. |
| Do the AI features require a Microsoft account? |
| Yes, users must be signed in with a Microsoft account. |
| Which Windows versions support these updates? |
| Windows 11 Insider builds in the Canary and Dev channels. |
| When will these features roll out globally? |
| Microsoft has stated they will arrive in the coming months. |
| Can AI text tools work offline? |
| They can work locally or via the cloud, depending on the feature and device. |
The latest AI-powered updates to Microsoft Paint and Notepad represent a significant step in enhancing core Windows applications. With creative tools like the AI Colouring Book, precision improvements in Paint, and smarter text handling in Notepad, Microsoft is redefining how users interact with everyday software. Windows Insiders can explore these features now, while a global rollout is expected soon. For official updates and announcements, users should keep an eye on the Microsoft Windows blog and bookmark this page for future developments.
