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How to Use Microsoft Paint AI Features on Windows 11

Microsoft Paint’s Copilot+ tools include Cocreator, Generative fill, Sticker generator, and Object Select, with different workflows and requirements. Learn how to use each one and how the separate Image Creator experience differs.

By ThatPainter Team 6 min read
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Microsoft’s current Paint guidance for Copilot+ PCs covers Cocreator, Generative fill, Sticker generator, and Object Select. Update Paint from the Microsoft Store and check that your PC meets the feature’s requirements; Generative fill additionally requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC. Microsoft also documents a separate Image Creator workflow, so check which tool appears in your version of Paint rather than assuming the names or requirements are interchangeable.

Check requirements before you start

Microsoft says the documented Copilot+ Paint feature set requires a Copilot+ PC and the latest Paint app from the Microsoft Store. Sign in with a Microsoft account and connect to the internet: Microsoft says its online services provide safety filtering, although image generation for these Copilot+ features is performed locally using the device NPU. Generative fill has the additional Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC requirement.

Feature What it does Requirement or workflow
Cocreator Uses a text prompt and a drawing on the canvas to generate artwork. Copilot+ PC, latest Paint, Microsoft account sign-in, and internet connection for safety services.
Generative fill Adds described content within a selected area. Copilot+ PC and latest Paint; Microsoft specifies a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC.
Sticker generator Generates sticker options from a short description. Find it in the Copilot menu in Paint; check the feature shown in your updated app.
Object Select Finds an object in an image so you can select and edit it. Choose it from the Paint toolbar; check your app’s current feature availability.
Image Creator Separate text-to-image workflow that generates image variants from a description and style. Microsoft documents a separate, gradually rolled-out experience with sign-in and AI credit terms. Check the current terms for your account.

Microsoft’s support pages describe different names and conditions for Copilot+ Paint features and Image Creator. Do not assume the separate Image Creator service’s cloud processing or credit terms apply to every Copilot+ feature, or that one availability matrix covers every device and account.

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Prepare Paint

  1. Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and install any available Paint update.
  2. Open Paint and sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted. Connect to the internet for Microsoft’s stated safety services.
  3. Check the PC requirement for the feature you want. For Generative fill, Microsoft specifies a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC.
  4. Look for the tool on the toolbar or in the Copilot menu. The available features and their placement can differ.
  5. Keep an original copy of your image before making edits.

Choose a feature by task

Your goal Use How it works
Generate artwork guided by both words and a sketch Cocreator Enter a prompt and draw directly on the Paint canvas.
Add something within a selected area Generative fill Select an area, describe what to add, and choose a generated option.
Create a sticker concept Sticker generator Enter a short description and choose a result.
Select an existing object Object Select Have Paint identify an object, then copy, move, erase, or apply Generative fill.
Generate images from text and a style Image Creator Use its separate toolbar workflow when it is available in your app.

How to use Cocreator

  1. Open Paint and select the Cocreator toolbar icon to open its side pane.
  2. Enter a text prompt describing the artwork you want. Microsoft says Cocreator is optimized for English prompts.
  3. Draw directly on the canvas with a mouse or stylus. Use broad strokes, desired output colors, and fill as much of the canvas as practical to guide the result.
  4. Adjust the creativity slider. Lower settings keep the output closer to your sketch; higher settings allow more interpretation.
  5. Choose an available style, such as watercolor or oil painting.
  6. Select a generated result to apply it to the canvas, then continue editing or save.

For example, a prompt might describe a small red cabin beside a pine forest at sunrise, with warm light and a watercolor style. Use the drawing to establish placement and large shapes; use the prompt to describe the subject and look. Microsoft notes that Cocreator is designed to work best with artwork made directly on the Paint canvas.

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How to use Generative fill

Generative fill adds content inside a selection. Microsoft specifies a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC for this feature.

  1. Start a new image or open an existing image in Paint.
  2. Use the Selection tool to make a rectangular or free-form selection where you want to add content.
  3. Choose Generative fill from the selection’s small menu.
  4. Describe what should appear in the selected area, then choose Create or press Enter.
  5. Use Try again or refine the prompt if needed.
  6. Browse the generated options and choose Keep to apply your preferred result.

How to use Sticker generator

  1. Start with a blank canvas or open an image in Paint.
  2. Open the Copilot menu in the toolbar and select Sticker generator.
  3. Enter a short description of the sticker and select Generate.
  4. Choose a result, then add it to the canvas, copy it, or save it from the side panel.

A concise prompt can describe the subject, expression or action, and visual treatment—for example, a cat wearing sunglasses with a bold cartoon outline. Add exact lettering yourself in Paint if it needs to be spelled correctly.

How to use Object Select

  1. Open an image or artwork in Paint.
  2. Select Object select from the toolbar.
  3. Hover over and click the object you want to isolate. Paint highlights the detected element.
  4. Review the selection, then copy, move, erase, or apply Generative fill to it.

Inspect the selection before editing, especially where objects overlap or have fine edges. Refine the selection if Paint has included part of the background or missed part of the object.

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How to use Image Creator

Image Creator is a separate text-to-image experience in Paint, not another name to use interchangeably with every current Copilot+ feature. Microsoft says its naming was being gradually rolled out; check the feature actually shown in your updated app and the current terms for your account.

  1. Select the Image Creator toolbar icon if it is available.
  2. Sign in when prompted.
  3. Enter a text description and choose an available style.
  4. Select Create and review the generated variants.
  5. Choose a result to apply it to the canvas.

Microsoft’s separate Image Creator support page describes the experience as a cloud-based service with AI credit terms. It says a Create action generates three variants and that usage terms depend on the account or subscription. Check Microsoft’s current account terms rather than assuming those details apply to Cocreator or other Copilot+ Paint tools.

Privacy, safety, and provenance

Microsoft says the current Copilot+ Paint features use the device NPU for local image generation and online Azure services for safety filtering. Microsoft also says it collects attributes such as device and user identifiers along with prompts for abuse prevention and monitoring, and does not store input or generated images. These are Microsoft’s stated practices, not an independent audit. Microsoft cautions that filtering is imperfect; report inappropriate or unexpected output.

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Microsoft says Cocreator-generated images carry a C2PA manifest intended to identify them as AI-generated. Its separate Image Creator article also describes a C2PA manifest for generated images. This provenance information is not a guarantee that every copy will retain the manifest after editing or redistribution.

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Microsoft says users are responsible for lawful and respectful use, including respecting privacy, intellectual property, and copyright. Repeated harmful attempts or other policy violations may lead to suspension of Cocreator or Generative fill.

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FAQ

Do Paint’s Copilot+ AI features work on every Windows 11 PC?

No. Microsoft’s current guidance requires a Copilot+ PC and the latest Paint app for the documented feature set. Generative fill additionally requires a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC.

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Does Generative fill require a Snapdragon PC?

Yes. Microsoft specifies a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC for Generative fill. Do not treat that additional requirement as applying to every other Paint feature.

Why can’t I see Image Creator in Paint?

Microsoft describes Image Creator’s name and availability as gradually rolling out. Update Paint, check the toolbar, and consult Microsoft’s current guidance and account terms. The sources do not establish one universal availability matrix for all devices, accounts, and regions.

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Does Paint process every AI feature locally?

No single processing claim should be applied to every feature. Microsoft says current Copilot+ Paint generation uses the device NPU with online safety filtering; its separate Image Creator article describes a cloud-based service.

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Do I need a stylus to use Cocreator?

No. Microsoft describes drawing with a mouse or stylus. A stylus is optional and does not replace the Copilot+ PC requirement.

Bottom line

Use Cocreator for artwork guided by a prompt and sketch, Generative fill to add content inside a selection, Sticker generator for sticker concepts, and Object Select to isolate an existing object. Check your Copilot+ PC and Paint requirements first; treat Image Creator as a separate workflow with its own current account terms.

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