Even Microsoft Notepad is getting AI text editing now

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Scope of the Change

  • Thread discusses Microsoft adding cloud-based “Rewrite” AI text-editing to Notepad, requiring a Microsoft account sign-in.
  • Paint also gains AI image generation; some see this as part of a broader “AI everywhere” push across Windows.

Notepad’s Role & Feature Creep

  • Many argue Notepad’s value is being a minimal, instant, plain‑text box used for:
    • Stripping formatting
    • Quick scratch notes
    • Viewing/editing config files
  • Tabs, autosave, and session restore are widely criticized:
    • Break the expectation of a blank document on launch
    • Interfere with workflows needing many independent windows
    • Create ambiguity about what’s actually saved to disk
  • A minority defend tabs/autosave/spellcheck as long‑overdue, basic editor features that reduce data loss and improve everyday note-taking.

Privacy, Cloud Dependence, and Trust

  • Strong concern that AI features mean all text is sent to Microsoft:
    • Fear of covert training on user data, “telemetry,” and account-based tracking.
    • Worry there will soon be no safe place to paste secrets, passwords, or keys.
  • Requirement for Microsoft account and cloud service is seen as:
    • Contradicting “AI PC” / NPU marketing (why not run locally?).
    • Another step toward Windows as a networked, surveillant “service” rather than a personal OS.
  • Some note traffic inspection is theoretically possible but practically very difficult; Windows being closed source amplifies distrust.

Why Per‑App AI Instead of System‑Wide?

  • Several ask why this isn’t a generic OS text‑box feature or a standalone app.
  • Comparisons to macOS, where system text services and AI writing tools integrate at the control level.
  • Others argue app-level integration is needed for context-aware behavior but still think Notepad is the wrong target; Word/OneNote/WordPad would be more appropriate.

AI Hype, Utility, and Costs

  • Many express “AI fatigue,” likening the push to the crypto bubble and calling it mostly marketing.
  • Critics:
    • See LLMs as “stochastic parrots” with heavy energy use, hallucinations, and limited reliability.
    • View broad integration as mainly data extraction and ad/lock‑in preparation.
  • Supporters:
    • Report large personal productivity gains for coding, boilerplate, and summarization.
    • Argue we’re early in the hype cycle and long‑term productivity and efficiency gains will be substantial.

Business Motives and UX Backlash

  • Widespread belief that:
    • Top‑down mandates and investor FOMO are driving “AI in every product” KPIs.
    • Data collection, rate limiting, and future monetization (including ads) are key motives.
  • Many see this as another step in Windows “enshittification” alongside Recall, new Outlook, and UI/UX regressions.
  • A nontrivial number of commenters say they’ll:
    • Disable AI wherever possible
    • Switch to alternatives (Notepad++, Notepad2, third‑party viewers/editors)
    • Or migrate to Linux/macOS entirely.