Microsoft is integrating AI capabilities into its simple Notepad app, known for its plain text functionality and .txt files. This new feature, called “Rewrite,” empowers users to generate alternative text variations tailored to their specific needs. Whether you need text that’s longer, shorter, or written in a particular tone or style, Rewrite can help.
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.
This AI-driven tool offers three text variations for each request, giving users options to choose from. If none of the initial suggestions meet your requirements, you can easily retry and generate new alternatives. This streamlines the writing process and allows for quick adjustments to refine your text.
How Rewrite Works in Notepad
Using Rewrite is straightforward. Simply highlight the text you want to modify, then right-click and select the “Rewrite” option. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I. This will bring up a text box displaying the AI-generated text alternatives.
The Rewrite AI text editing feature in Microsoft Notepad.
Microsoft detailed this new functionality on its Windows Insider blog, highlighting its commitment to integrating AI across its product suite.
AI-Powered Writing Tools: A Growing Trend
Microsoft isn’t the only company leveraging AI to enhance writing capabilities. Rewrite bears similarities to features like “Summarize” and “Refine” in Google Workspace and the “Help Me Write” feature in ChromeOS. This reflects a broader industry trend of incorporating AI to improve productivity and writing quality.
Availability and Requirements
Rewrite is currently available as a software update for Notepad version 11.2410.15.0 to Windows Insider users in the Canary and Dev Channels. A Microsoft account is required to use the Rewrite preview feature. Geographically, it’s accessible in the U.S., France, U.K., Canada, Italy, and Germany. Users in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family or Copilot Pro subscriptions can utilize AI credits to access Rewrite.
Future of Rewrite and Other Notepad Updates
As Rewrite is currently in preview, Microsoft hasn’t confirmed a full rollout date. Alongside Rewrite, Microsoft is also introducing updates to Paint, including “Generative fill” and “Generative erase,” further showcasing its dedication to integrating AI into its applications.
In conclusion, the new Rewrite feature in Notepad offers a convenient way to refine and adjust text using the power of AI. While still in preview, it represents a significant step forward in integrating AI assistance into everyday tools. It will be interesting to see how this feature evolves and becomes more widely available in the future.
