All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) - Hands-On Windows 148: Legacy App Upgrades

Release Date: July 10, 2025
Host: Paul Thurat

In the 148th episode of Hands-On Windows, host Paul Thurat dives deep into the major upgrades coming to three quintessential Windows 11 applications: Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool. This episode serves as a follow-up to the previous discussion on system-level changes in Windows 11 24H2, focusing instead on application-specific enhancements that aim to enrich user experience and productivity.

1. Notepad Upgrades

Evolution and New Features

Paul begins by tracing the evolution of Notepad from its modest beginnings in Windows 10 to its current state in Windows 11 24H2. Initially retaining its classic appearance, Notepad has received significant updates to align with modern user needs.

• Multiple Tabs & Session Management:
  "Notepad now supports multiple tabs and session state management, allowing users to handle multiple documents seamlessly" (01:45).

• Light and Dark Mode Support:
  "With robust light and dark mode support, Notepad adapts aesthetically to your system preferences" (02:10).

• AI Integration via Copilot:
  Paul highlights the integration of AI features accessible through the Copilot dropdown menu. He humorously notes, "Sorry, I have that voice feature on. I should probably turn that off" (03:05), indicating the voice-activated functionalities.

Markdown Support and Formatting Confusion

One of the most debated changes is the introduction of Markdown support, aimed primarily at developers and writers who frequently use Markdown for documentation and content creation.

• Markdown Implementation:
  "Notepad now supports lightweight formatting or Markdown-style formatting, catering to the developer community" (04:20).

• User Experience Challenges:
  Paul expresses mixed feelings about the implementation:
  "Putting this up here is going to, you know, by default is going to confuse some people. But if you go in here, you can just turn it off" (07:30).

• Practical Demonstration:
  He demonstrates creating a Markdown file and discusses the necessity of saving files with a .md extension to ensure proper functionality.

Developer-Centric Enhancements

Paul underscores that these updates are not just cosmetic but significantly enhance Notepad's utility for developers:
"Markdown is super common out in the developer space, especially on GitHub. You'll see the readme file for every GitHub repository is a markdown file" (05:50).

2. Paint Enhancements

Modernization and Feature Additions

Transitioning to Paint, Paul discusses its transformation from a basic image editor to a more robust tool with professional-grade features.

• User Interface Improvements:
  "Paint's modernization started off poorly with only light mode, but now it supports both light and dark modes and has brought back a lot of the keyboard shortcuts" (09:15).

• Layer Support:
  One of the standout features is the addition of layers, similar to those found in Photoshop:
  "Paint now supports layers like Photoshop does, allowing for non-destructive editing" (10:05).

AI-Driven Tools

Paul delves into the AI-based functionalities integrated into Paint, aiming to simplify complex editing tasks for users.

• Generative Erase:
  "Generative Erase attempts to intelligently remove selected elements and fill the background, though its effectiveness varies" (12:40).

  He showcases both successes and limitations of this tool, noting instances where it performs flawlessly and others where it falters.

• Object Selection:
  "With Object Select, Paint can now automatically identify and select objects within an image, streamlining the editing process" (14:25).

• Sticker Generator:
  Adding a playful touch, Paint introduces a Sticker Generator:
  "We all need stickers. The generator allows you to add fun elements like a cat wearing sunglasses" (16:00).

User Feedback and Future Prospects

While Paul appreciates these additions, he candidly shares his reservations:
"Once you let go of a sticker, it's just there. It's not as flexible as Photoshop, but it's still pretty cool" (17:30).

He emphasizes that while Paint has made significant strides, there's room for improvement to match the versatility of professional-grade editors fully.

3. Snipping Tool Innovations

Comprehensive Feature Expansion

The Snipping Tool receives perhaps the most substantial upgrades, evolving into a versatile utility that extends far beyond simple screenshots.

• Print Screen Integration:
  "Snipping Tool is now the default replacement for the Print Screen key, providing an overlay with an array of functionalities" (19:00).

• Enhanced Screenshot Capabilities:
  Users can choose from various snip modes—full screen, window, freeform, etc.—and now benefit from additional tools like trimming and converting screen recordings into animated GIFs:
  "Coming soon, you can create GIFs directly from your screen recordings" (21:15).

Advanced Tools and AI Features

Paul highlights several advanced tools integrated into the Snipping Tool:

• Perfect Screenshot (AI-Based Selection):
  "Perfect Screenshot uses AI to understand and select the exact area you want to capture, enhancing precision" (23:30).

• Color Picker:
  An invaluable tool for developers and designers:
  "The color picker lets you sample colors from your screen and copy them in various formats, including hex codes" (25:45).

• Text Extractor (OCR):
  "With Text Extractor, you can perform OCR on your screenshots, extracting text seamlessly" (27:10).

User Accessibility and Copilot Requirements

While most features are universally accessible, some advanced tools like Click to Do require a Copilot Plus PC:
"Click to Do obviously requires a Copilot plus PC, but the rest of those features are just for everyone" (29:00).

Paul appreciates the breadth of functionalities, though he notes the absence of cursor capture:
"The only thing it doesn't do is capture the mouse cursor, which is something I actually do need for my own screenshots a lot of the time" (28:20).

Conclusion

In this episode, Paul Thurat provides an in-depth analysis of the latest legacy app upgrades in Windows 11 24H2. From Notepad's embrace of Markdown to Paint's professional-grade enhancements and the Snipping Tool's transformation into a multifaceted utility, Microsoft is clearly investing in enriching the core applications that millions rely on daily.

Paul concludes with optimism about these updates, acknowledging both their strengths and areas for improvement:
"These apps have all been evolving over the past few months. Pretty cool" (30:45).

For listeners eager to explore these new features, Paul encourages them to stay updated through future episodes of Hands-On Windows available every Thursday on TWiT.tv.

Notable Quotes:

• "Notepad now supports multiple tabs and session state management, allowing users to handle multiple documents seamlessly." (01:45)

• "With robust light and dark mode support, Notepad adapts aesthetically to your system preferences." (02:10)

• "Generative Erase attempts to intelligently remove selected elements and fill the background, though its effectiveness varies." (12:40)

• "Click to Do obviously requires a Copilot plus PC, but the rest of those features are just for everyone." (29:00)

Listen to the full episode:
For a comprehensive understanding and demonstration of these features, tune into the full episode of Hands-On Windows 148: Legacy App Upgrades on TWiT.tv.

Timestamp Key:

• 01:45: Notepad's multiple tabs and session management
• 02:10: Notepad's light and dark mode
• 03:05: AI integration via Copilot in Notepad
• 04:20: Markdown support in Notepad
• 05:50: Developer-centric enhancements in Notepad
• 07:30: User experience with Markdown feature
• 09:15: Paint's user interface improvements
• 10:05: Paint's layer support
• 12:40: Generative Erase in Paint
• 14:25: Object selection feature in Paint
• 16:00: Sticker generator in Paint
• 17:30: Flexibility of Paint's sticker layer
• 19:00: Snipping Tool's Print Screen integration
• 21:15: Snipping Tool's screenshot enhancements
• 23:30: Perfect Screenshot feature in Snipping Tool
• 25:45: Snipping Tool's color picker
• 27:10: Text Extractor (OCR) in Snipping Tool
• 28:20: Snipping Tool's limitations
• 29:00: Accessibility of Snipping Tool's advanced features
• 30:45: Conclusion on app upgrades