# Windows Insider Updates: Notepad with AI, Paint Features, and Prism x86 Emulator Enhancements
Microsoft is advancing its Windows ecosystem by integrating new functionalities that merge artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional applications, while also boosting performance for contemporary hardware. In the latest Windows Insider updates, Notepad and Paint benefit from significant AI-based enhancements, and the Prism x86 emulator for ARM Windows devices receives added CPU instruction support. Here’s an in-depth overview of the recent updates.
## AI-Enhanced Rewrite Feature in Notepad
Notepad, a classic and straightforward application within the Windows operating system, has gained renewed interest in recent times. Historically, it remained largely stagnant for many years, but with the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft has been progressively modernizing the app. Recent updates have introduced a visual overhaul, spellcheck, autocorrect, and even tabbed windows.
Now, Microsoft is ushering Notepad into the AI age with the launch of the **Rewrite** feature. This innovative tool, currently available in preview for Canary and Dev Windows Insiders, utilizes generative AI to assist users in modifying the tone, wording, and length of highlighted text. By selecting a sentence or paragraph, users can opt for one of three AI-generated rewrite choices or ask for additional suggestions.
The Rewrite feature operates on the same cloud-based AI framework that supports **Copilot**, Microsoft’s AI assistant. This means the processing occurs on Microsoft’s servers rather than on the user’s CPU, GPU, or NPU. To access this feature, users need to sign in with a Microsoft account. Initially, it is available to users in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany.
For those who prefer not to engage with AI features or avoid signing in with a Microsoft account, there’s encouraging news. Microsoft has also refined Notepad’s performance, ensuring a **35-55% enhancement in launch times** for the majority of users.
## AI Features in Paint: Generative Fill and Erase
Alongside Notepad, Microsoft’s Paint app is also being upgraded with AI capabilities. Paint, another enduring application, has recently witnessed enhancements with several image-generation and editing tools. The most recent update brings **Generative Fill** and **Generative Erase** options.
– **Generative Fill** enables users to select a portion of an image and provide a text prompt to populate that area with AI-generated content. This feature is exclusive to **Copilot+ PCs** powered by **Snapdragon X Elite** processors, which are built to handle advanced AI functions.
– **Generative Erase** is accessible on any Windows 11 PC. This functionality allows users to remove items from an image and attempts to reconstruct the background of the erased object, making it a flexible instrument for image alteration.
These AI-driven tools elevate Paint closer to professional-quality image editing applications, enhancing its utility for both casual users and professionals.
## Prism x86 Emulator: Added CPU Instruction Support
On the technical front, Microsoft has made advancements in boosting performance for ARM-based Windows devices. The **Prism x86 emulator**, enabling x86 applications to run on ARM-powered Windows PCs, has undergone a substantial update in the latest **Windows Insider Canary channel build**.
This update adds support for newer x86 CPU instructions, essential for running demanding games and professional applications. Specifically, it introduces support for **AVX** and **AVX2** extensions, which are already available in Windows 11 24H2 for Adobe Premiere Pro. With this update, these extensions will be accessible across all applications, enhancing the performance of ARM-based devices for a wider variety of software.
However, support for **AVX512** extensions is still lacking, although this is less of an issue as even modern Intel processors have gradually phased out AVX512 support in recent years. Additionally, the new extensions are limited to fully 64-bit Intel applications, meaning that 32-bit applications or hybrid 64-bit apps using 32-bit components will not benefit from these enhancements.
## Conclusion
Microsoft’s latest Windows Insider updates illustrate its dedication to incorporating AI into everyday applications while enhancing performance for modern hardware. The introduction of the AI-driven Rewrite feature in Notepad, along with the generative fill and erase capabilities in Paint, adds significant functionality to these traditional apps, amplifying their versatility and power. Meanwhile, enhancements to the Prism x86 emulator ensure that ARM-based Windows devices can manage more demanding software, making them a suitable choice for both professionals and gamers.
As Microsoft continues to refine these features, it is evident that AI integration and hardware optimization will be pivotal in the future of Windows. Whether you are a casual or power user, these updates are set to improve your experience with Windows 11.
