Microsoft Paint can now make AI coloring books

Microsoft is rolling out AI features to Paint and Notepad for Windows Insiders, including a Paint 'Coloring book' tool that generates four blank templates from text prompts and Notepad streaming for AI writing tools.

Microsoft is adding AI features to its built-in Paint and Notepad apps on Windows. The updates are rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Windows 11 Canary and Dev channels. Paint gains a 'Coloring book' tool that creates blank coloring templates from a text prompt, and Notepad gains streamed previews for its AI writing features. Some Paint features are limited to Copilot Plus PCs while other changes, like a fill tolerance slider, apply more broadly. Highlighted details: - The Coloring book feature appears in Paint version 11.2512.191.0 and is accessed from the Copilot menu; it generates four template results from a user text prompt. - The Coloring book feature is available only on Copilot Plus PCs. - Paint also adds a fill tolerance slider that is not restricted to Copilot hardware. - Notepad update 11.2512.10.0 can stream AI-generated results for Write, Rewrite, and Summarize, providing previews before full responses arrive. - Notepad includes a new welcome experience and additional Markdown support, including strikethrough and nested lists. - These changes are initially available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. Summary: Microsoft is testing creative and text-focused AI tools inside its simple Windows apps, using the Windows Insider channels to gather feedback. Broader availability beyond Insiders is undetermined at this time.