Notepad gains extended Markdown and faster text generation
Microsoft has revealed a set of upcoming updates for windows 11 Built-in apps with notable improvements notepad.
Notepad is getting expanded Markdown support. New syntax options include strikethrough formatting and nested lists, building on earlier Markdown features. Users can continue to rely on keyboard shortcuts, but Microsoft has also added toolbar controls to apply formatting without having to manually type Markdown.
Another visual change is a new welcome experience. This popup appears when Notepad receives a feature update and highlights what has changed. Notepad is now updated more frequently than before, with the screen intended to help users keep track of new capabilities without scanning release notes.
Microsoft is also improving AI-powered text generation in Notepad. Generated text will now appear using the streaming effect, displaying responses as they are created rather than waiting for full output to complete. The transformation is designed to produce faster results, even though the generation time remains the same.
Paint adds AI coloring book mode and better fill controls
CoPilot+ AI Coloring Book for PC
Updates are also coming Microsoft Paint. The most eye-catching addition is a new AI-powered coloring book mode. Available on CoPilot+ PCs, this feature uses the device’s NPU to create outline-style drawings based on text prompts.
Users can open Paint, select the Coloring Book option from the CoPilot menu, and describe the scene they want. Paint then produces a set of black and white outlines that are designed to be colored in, turning simple prompts into printable or editable coloring pages.
adjustable fill tolerance
Paint is also gaining fill tolerance control. This lets users decide how aggressively the fill tool applies color to a selected area. Lower tolerance values prevent color from spreading into surrounding areas, making the tool more useful for detailed drawings and outlines.
Availability and rollout
The new Notepad and Paint features are being released first to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. Microsoft says they will roll out to all Windows 11 users in the coming weeks, with Coloring Book Mode limited to supported CoPilot+ PCs.
Users interested in Markdown changes or the new Paint tool should check for app updates regularly, as these improvements are being delivered through app updates rather than full Windows feature releases.
