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After extending its AI-powered Copilot from Windows 11 to Windows 10 and later to Android, Microsoft is now reportedly bringing some of that AI magic to Notepad with text generation capabilities in Windows 11. While the company has been actively incorporating AI into various aspects of its ecosystem, Windows enthusiasts have stumbled upon references to a potential AI bot, possibly named Cowriter, within the app package of Notepad. This move aligns with Microsoft’s efforts to enhance user experience by integrating AI functionalities into its applications.
Windows Copilot, Microsoft’s all-purpose digital AI assistant, has been evolving, and now it seems Notepad is getting its own AI companion. References in the app package folder suggest a ChatGPT-powered bot may be on the horizon. Tentatively called Cowriter, this AI assistant could provide users with text generation capabilities directly within the Notepad app. The files include references like “CoWriterCreditLimitDialog” and “CoWriterDropDownButton,” indicating potential UI elements for managing the AI’s features.
The addition of an AI-powered text generation feature in Notepad signals a potential revamp of the iconic text editor.
The discovery hints at the possibility of a credit system, where users may have usage quotas for the AI feature. Similar to other Microsoft AI-powered features like Bing Image Generator or Cocreator in Paint, users may receive credits to generate unique content within Notepad, with the potential for boosts and a subsequent slower generation process once the initial credits are used up.
While Microsoft hasn’t officially announced this AI-powered text generation feature, Windows Insiders have uncovered UI references like “CoWriterDropDownButton” and “CoWriterInfoButton,” suggesting buttons for accessing the Notepad AI feature and seeking help or additional information.
Notepad’s AI tool will likely provide users with context-specific suggestions for their text, similar to the Editor feature introduced in Microsoft Edge. The promotional image found in the updated app package indicates that users may receive multiple suggestions for a text selection, offering modifications related to “Length,” “Tone,” “Format,” and “Instructions.” This aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy of integrating AI to enhance productivity and user engagement across its suite of applications.
While Microsoft has not yet officially confirmed any details about the official release, speculation suggests that Notepad’s AI feature might undergo testing soon, with a potential waitlist for interested users, possibly within the Windows Insider community. Microsoft continues to explore innovative ways to leverage AI to offer more intelligent and context-aware tools to its users.