New Windows 11 Update: Microsoft Paint Gets AI Features and Windows Search Improves

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Microsoft’s New Windows 11 Update: Paint Gets AI Features and Windows Search Improves

Microsoft has rolled out a fresh update for Windows 11 Insider Preview users, introducing some exciting changes to both the Paint app and the Windows Search functionality. This new beta update, now available for users in the Canary and Dev channels, brings artificial intelligence (AI) features to the Paint app and enhances the search experience in Windows.

AI-Powered Features in Microsoft Paint

Microsoft Paint is getting a major boost with new AI features. These tools are now conveniently located within a Copilot menu, which can be found on the right side of the toolbar. When you click the dropdown menu, you’ll see a list of AI-powered features along with a short description of each one. However, there’s a catch—only users with Copilot+ PCs can access the advanced Cocreator feature.

The Cocreator tool is one of the standout additions. It uses AI to generate images based on user input. If you’ve ever drawn a rough sketch, this feature can enhance it into something more polished. You also have control over how much AI enhancement you want to apply to the image.

Another exciting feature is the Image Creator, a text-to-image tool. This allows users to generate images from text prompts and choose an art style to match. Whether you need a quick visual for a project or a creative piece, this tool can provide custom images based on your description.

If you’ve ever wished you could remove an object from an image and have the background seamlessly fill in, Generative Erase is the answer. This feature lets you erase unwanted elements, and the AI will generate the background to blend it with the rest of the image.

There’s also the Remove Background feature, which is as simple as it sounds. With just one click, you can remove the background from any image, making it much easier to edit or repurpose visuals.

Copilot Menu: A Hub for AI Tools

Copilot Menu: A Hub for AI Tools
Photo Credit: Microsoft

The Copilot menu is a central hub for all of these AI tools in Paint. It offers a user-friendly way to access the various features without cluttering the toolbar. This update makes it easier for users to explore all of Paint’s enhanced capabilities, but again, remember that some tools, like Cocreator, are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.

Enhanced Windows Search with Semantic Indexing

Alongside the changes to Paint, Microsoft is also improving the Windows Search functionality. The update introduces semantic indexing, a feature that was first previewed last month. This feature allows for more accurate natural language searches, meaning users can search for files and photos using everyday language.

What’s new with this update is that the semantic indexing now supports OneDrive files. Previously, this feature was limited to local files, but now it can help you find content stored in the cloud. It makes accessing files stored on OneDrive easier, as it can now intelligently index and locate these files based on natural language queries.

Copilot+ PCs: The Key to Unlocking New Features

While these features are definitely exciting, they are not available to all Windows 11 users just yet. Currently, these updates, including the AI tools in Paint and the semantic indexing in Windows Search, are only accessible to those using Copilot+ PCs.

These Copilot+ PCs are designed with advanced AI and cloud capabilities, meaning they are equipped to handle these new features. The Copilot+ label is part of Microsoft’s push to bring powerful AI and cloud-powered tools to a select group of devices.

What’s Next for Windows 11 Users?

At this point, the new features are part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3073 (KB5050090). Microsoft has yet to announce when these features will be available to the general public. However, it’s clear that the company is continuing to push the boundaries of what Windows 11 can do with AI.

With the integration of AI tools in Paint and improvements in Windows Search, Microsoft is enhancing both productivity and creativity for users. These new capabilities aim to make the Windows experience more intuitive and efficient, whether you’re working on a creative project or searching for files.

The latest Windows 11 update brings some impressive new features, especially for those with Copilot+ PCs. From AI-driven tools in Microsoft Paint to smarter, more efficient Windows Search, these changes signal Microsoft’s commitment to making its operating system more powerful and user-friendly. As these updates roll out and more features become available, Windows 11 could become an even more indispensable tool for both creative professionals and everyday users. Keep an eye on future updates to see how these exciting changes evolve.

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