The new first-run prompt appears when the app launches and highlights newly added features. Microsoft says the screen is meant to help both first-time and returning users understand what the modern version of Notepad can do. Users can dismiss it or reopen it later using a megaphone icon located in the top-right corner of the toolbar.
In the latest release, version 11.2512.10.0, Microsoft has expanded formatting options while continuing its push toward AI integration. Notepad gained Markdown support in mid-2024, followed by table support in late 2025. The newest update builds on that foundation by adding features such as strikethrough text and nested lists.
AI capabilities have also been enhanced. Microsoft explains that tools like Write, Rewrite, and Summarize now stream results progressively, allowing users to see and interact with output before the process finishes - whether the AI runs locally or in the cloud. These features, however, require users to be signed in with a Microsoft account.
When asked whether user feedback drove these changes, Microsoft indicated it would share details if available. No further information was provided.
Similar changes are underway in Paint, another once-minimal Windows application. Among the new additions is an AI-powered “Coloring book” feature that converts text prompts into outline images for coloring. This feature is limited to Copilot+ PCs and also requires a Microsoft account. Paint has also received a practical update in the form of a tolerance slider for its fill tool.
As Notepad and Paint grow more complex, they continue to drift away from their original roles as lightweight, no-frills utilities. While some users may appreciate the added capabilities, others may feel alienated by features they never asked for - particularly as Windows users deal with ongoing bugs introduced by recent updates.
Nevertheless, Microsoft has made it clear that even its most basic apps are not exempt from its broader AI-first strategy.
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