Microsoft is Testing New Notepad and Snipping Tool Updates

If you have a PC enrolled in the Dev or Canary channel of the Windows 11 Insider Preview, you can now test some new features in Notepad and Snipping Tool. Or, you can do so soon, as the app updates are rolling out over time.

Here’s what’s new.

Notepad

Summarize. With this feature, you can summarize selected text via three methods: Right-click then choose “Summarize,” select “Summarize” from the Copilot menu, or type Ctrl + M. It offers a variety of summary lengths to choose from. (This feature requires you to sign in with a Microsoft account and it can be disabled.) It will also use AI credits from a Microsoft 365 consumer or Copilot Pro subscription, so it’s not clear if you get this feature otherwise.

Recent files. Now you can access files you recently opened with Notepad in File > Recent. And you can clear the list of recent files in Notepad settings.

Snipping Tool

Draw & hold. The default screen capture app in Windows 11 is getting a new feature called Draw & hold that lets you draw lines and shapes using the Ballpoint pen tool and then pause and hold to convert your freehand lines into straight lines. You can then resize, move, or adjust the shape as needed.

Protocol launch. Snipping Tool now supports a new and improved protocol launch experience for developers that lets you customize Snipping Tool features when its launched from your app. You can learn more about this functionality on Microsoft Learn.