Say Hello to AI Summaries in Notepad

Introduction to AI Summaries in Notepad

Microsoft has introduced AI-powered summaries to its iconic Notepad application as part of its latest updates for Windows 11. This feature is currently being tested by Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, marking a significant step forward in integrating artificial intelligence into everyday productivity tools. Below, we will break down the details of this new feature step by step.

What Is the AI Summarization Feature?

The AI summarization feature allows users to generate concise summaries of selected text directly within Notepad. Powered by Microsoft’s Copilot AI, this tool aims to simplify workflows by condensing lengthy paragraphs, meeting notes, or documents into shorter, more digestible formats.

How Does It Work?

Highlight Text: Users can select any portion of text they want summarized.
Access the Summarize Option:
- Right-click on the highlighted text and choose “Summarize.”
- Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + M.
- Another option is accessing it through the Copilot menu.
Generate Summary: Once activated, Notepad generates an AI-driven summary of the selected content.
Customize Summary Length: Users can adjust how short or detailed they want their summary to be.

Requirements for Using AI Summaries

To use this feature, certain conditions must be met:

Microsoft Account: Users need to sign in with a Microsoft personal account.
Subscription Plans: The feature requires a subscription to one of these plans:
- Microsoft 365 Personal
- Microsoft 365 Family
- Copilot Pro
AI Credits: The summarization process uses AI credits tied to these subscriptions.

User Control and Flexibility

Microsoft ensures that users retain control over their experience with this feature:

Disable Option: If users prefer not to use AI features, they can disable them entirely from Notepad’s settings menu.
Privacy Considerations: The feature does not store or share user data beyond what is required for processing summaries.

Additional Features in the Update

Alongside AI summarization, Microsoft has added other enhancements to improve usability:

Recent Files Menu:
- A new “Recent Files” option allows users to quickly reopen recently closed documents from the File menu.
- This list can be cleared or disabled via settings for privacy-conscious users.
Snipping Tool Enhancements:
- The Snipping Tool now includes a “Draw & Hold” feature that helps create precise shapes (lines, arrows, rectangles) when annotating screenshots.

Broader Implications for Productivity

The integration of generative AI into Notepad reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy of embedding intelligent tools into everyday applications. By doing so:

Users save time by avoiding manual reading and summarizing tasks.
Professionals benefit from quick overviews of meeting notes or reports.
Students and researchers can distill academic texts more efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Notepad’s new AI-powered summarization tool is a game-changer, transforming what was once a basic text editor into a smarter productivity assistant. With additional features like customizable summaries and recent file tracking, Microsoft continues its push toward making even simple applications more efficient and user-friendly.

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