Editorial illustration for Microsoft Paint adds “Coloring book” for text‑prompted images in v11.2512.191.0
Microsoft Paint Gets AI Image Generation Tool
Microsoft Paint adds “Coloring book” for text‑prompted images in v11.2512.191.0
Microsoft has slipped a generative‑AI tool into the program most of us learned to use in elementary school. In the latest update, version 11.2512.191.0, Paint’s familiar toolbar now houses a Copilot menu that promises more than simple brush strokes. While the core drawing functions remain unchanged, the new option taps into large‑language models to turn a written description into a line‑art template that can be printed, colored, or shared.
For longtime users, the shift feels like a modest expansion rather than a wholesale redesign—still Paint, but with a prompt‑driven shortcut for creating printable outlines. The move signals Microsoft’s broader strategy to embed AI features across its consumer apps without demanding a steep learning curve. It also raises questions about how casual creators will adopt text‑based image generation in a tool that has historically been manual.
The latter feature is aptly called “Coloring book,” and lets you make blank coloring templates in version 11.2512.191.0 of Paint based on a text prompt. Users can access this feature by selecting the Coloring book option from the Copilot menu in Paint, and then describing what the design should be,
The latter feature is aptly called "Coloring book," and lets you make blank coloring templates in version 11.2512.191.0 of Paint based on a text prompt. Users can access this feature by selecting the Coloring book option from the Copilot menu in Paint, and then describing what the design should be, such as "a cute fluffy cat on a donut." Paint will then generate four results that Paint users can click to add to their canvas. From there, you can presumably use Paint itself to color the image, or print it out to use traditional art materials.
It's such an oddly specific tool that I have to wonder if this is something that coloring book consumers (parents and stressed-out millennials) actually use Paint for. The Coloring book feature is notably only available on Copilot Plus PCs, so it's more likely that Microsoft is exploring novel ways to make its AI-infused Windows 11 devices more marketable.
Microsoft Paint now offers a “Coloring book” feature that creates blank templates from a text prompt. The tool lives in version 11.2512.191.0, and it’s reached through the Copilot menu. Users type a description, and Paint instantly generates a line‑art page ready for coloring.
Notepad receives parallel AI text enhancements, though details are sparse. Both updates are currently rolling out to Windows Insiders on the Windows 11 Canary and Dev channels. The additions feel oddly niche for applications historically prized for simplicity.
Whether a broad user base will adopt AI‑generated coloring sheets is unclear; the feature may appeal mainly to hobbyists or educators. The integration of Copilot into Paint and Notepad signals Microsoft’s push to embed generative AI across its core utilities, yet the practical impact remains to be measured. For now, the functionality is limited to insider builds, and its performance on standard Windows 11 installations has not been documented.
As the rollout continues, feedback will determine if these AI‑driven tools justify their presence in such lightweight programs.
Further Reading
- Microsoft unveils wave of new Windows 11 features in Paint and Notepad — with better Markdown support and a new AI Color Book mode coming soon - Windows Central
- Paint app update introducing Paint Cocreator begins rolling out to Windows Insiders - Windows Insider Blog
- Use Copilot+ PC features in Paint - Microsoft Support
- Microsoft Paint Gets a New Copilot Menu (Copilot+ PCs only) - BrenTech
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Common Questions Answered
How do I use the new Generative Fill feature in Microsoft Paint?
To use Generative Fill, first use the Selection tool to make a Rectangle or Free-form selection in Paint. A small menu will pop up, where you can select the Generative fill option and describe what you want to add to the selection using the text box. You can then create, cycle through options, and keep the image you like best.
What are the requirements for using AI features in Paint?
To use AI features like Generative Fill, you will need to sign in with a Microsoft account. Initially, these features will only be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11, version 24H2 and higher. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers, as well as Copilot Pro subscribers, will have access to AI credits for image generation.
What new AI tools are being added to Microsoft Paint?
Microsoft Paint is adding several new AI-powered features, including Generative Fill, which allows users to add or edit images with text prompts, and a Sticker Generator that can create custom stickers based on text descriptions. The update also introduces an Object Select tool that uses AI to help users select and edit specific elements in an image.