In a bold step toward transforming MS Paint into a creative powerhouse, Microsoft has unveiled new AI-powered features that are set to revolutionize the classic app for Windows 11 Insiders. The latest preview release brings Generative Fill and Generative Erase, marking the first time that MS Paint—once a humble drawing tool—steps into the world of artificial intelligence. Though still in the testing phase, these features signal Microsoft’s commitment to keeping Paint relevant and dynamic, a surprising evolution for an app so deeply rooted in nostalgia.
Generative Fill: Bringing AI Creativity to MS Paint
At the heart of this update is Generative Fill, a feature that can generate and insert AI-created objects directly into an image, simply by responding to a user’s text prompt. Reminiscent of Adobe Photoshop’s advanced tools, Generative Fill empowers users to enhance or alter images in ways that were once impossible on MS Paint. After selecting an area with the Paint toolbar’s Selection tool, users can type what they’d like to see—a sunset, a tree, or even abstract elements—and Paint’s AI will create it. With just a few clicks, the possibilities are limitless.
In the event the AI doesn’t quite hit the mark, users can press the Try Again button, refining prompts until the desired result appears. The Keep button then integrates the AI-generated object seamlessly into the image, blending it with an impressive level of precision. For now, Generative Fill is available only on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs and requires users to sign in with their Microsoft accounts, making this an exclusive experience for early adopters.
Generative Erase: Perfecting Your Image with AI Precision
In addition to Generative Fill, Microsoft introduces Generative Erase, a feature designed to help users effortlessly remove unwanted objects from their images. With this tool, users can select the Eraser option, pinpoint an object, and watch as the AI removes it, blending the area with the background to ensure continuity. Unlike Generative Fill, Generative Erase is available to all Windows 11 users, broadening its accessibility and making it a key tool for anyone looking to touch up images with ease and finesse.
Enhanced Cocreator and Image Creator Expansions
Beyond Paint, Microsoft has also improved its Cocreator feature with an updated diffusion-based AI model, enabling it to generate more creative and varied images. Cocreator intuitively responds to users’ sketches, offering more imaginative suggestions and a broader range of styles that can elevate simple drawings into complex pieces of digital art. Additionally, Microsoft’s Image Creator is expanding to more regions, making these advanced capabilities more accessible to a global audience eager to explore AI-powered creativity.
A Bold New Era for MS Paint
For decades, MS Paint was viewed as a simple, accessible tool—a digital blank canvas for doodling and basic edits. Now, with AI integration, Paint is on the verge of a renaissance, poised to become a versatile tool that empowers creativity in ways never imagined. These new features are still in preview, but they represent a seismic shift in Microsoft’s approach to Paint, transforming it into an app that appeals to both nostalgia and innovation.
As these capabilities roll out to Windows Insiders, MS Paint is taking on a new life, stepping up as a serious creative companion, far beyond its original, humble roots. For now, the world is watching and waiting—seeing if MS Paint, with the power of AI, can once again capture the hearts of creators everywhere.
