Generate AI Images in Windows 11 Paint: How-To

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, Windows 11 Paint can generate AI images, but only if you have a Copilot+ PC and the latest version of the Paint app installed. The feature, called Cocreator, lets you type a text description and choose an art style, and Paint generates several images for you to pick from. This guide explains exactly how to use it, what hardware you need, and what to do when it doesn’t work.

What Is Cocreator in Paint?

Cocreator is an AI image generator built directly into the Microsoft Paint app that ships with Windows 11. It works similarly to standalone AI art tools like DALL·E or Midjourney, but it’s integrated into Paint, so you can generate an image and then edit it with Paint’s traditional tools (brushes, shapes, text) in the same window. The feature was announced in 2023 and rolled out gradually to supported devices.

It’s important to know that Cocreator is not available on every Windows 11 PC. Microsoft requires a Copilot+ PC, which means the computer must have a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second). Current supported processors include Qualcomm Snapdragon X series, AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, and Intel Core Ultra 200V series. If your PC doesn’t have one of these, you won’t see the Cocreator button in Paint, even if you have the latest Windows updates.

How to Generate AI Images in Windows 11 Paint

If you have a Copilot+ PC, here’s the step-by-step process:

Open Paint – Click the Start button, type “Paint,” and open the app. Make sure it’s updated to version 11.2402.32.0 or later (check via the Microsoft Store).
Click the Cocreator button – It’s located in the top toolbar, next to the Layers button. It looks like a small square with a sparkle icon.
Enter your prompt – In the side panel that appears, type a detailed description of the image you want. For example: “a red fox sitting in a snowy forest at sunset, photorealistic.”
Choose a style – Below the prompt box, you’ll see a dropdown menu with styles like Charcoal, Oil Painting, Watercolor, Anime, Photorealistic, Pixel Art, and more. Pick one.
Select the canvas size – There’s a slider or dropdown for square, landscape, or portrait orientation.
Click Create – Paint will generate three variations. Click the one you like, and it will be placed on your canvas, ready for editing.

You can then use Paint’s normal tools to add text, draw over it, or crop it. The generated image is saved as a standard PNG file when you press Ctrl+S.

What You Need to Use Cocreator

Before you try, check these requirements:

Copilot+ PC hardware – As mentioned, your CPU must have an NPU with at least 40 TOPS. You can check by going to Settings > System > About and looking for “Copilot+ PC” in the device specifications.
Windows 11 24H2 or later – Cocreator requires the 2024 major update. Go to Settings > Windows Update to install it.
Latest Paint app – Open the Microsoft Store, click Library, then “Get updates” to ensure Paint is current.
Microsoft account – You must be signed in to Paint with a Microsoft account. The AI service is cloud-based, so it needs to authenticate you.
Internet connection – Cocreator processes your prompt on Microsoft’s servers, not locally on your PC. A stable connection is required.

If you don’t have a Copilot+ PC, you won’t be able to use Cocreator. However, you can still generate AI images on Windows 11 using free web-based tools like Bing Image Creator (powered by DALL·E) or other third-party sites, then import the image into Paint for editing.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are the most frequent issues users encounter and how to solve them:

Cocreator button missing: Your PC isn’t a Copilot+ PC, or Paint isn’t updated. Check your hardware and update the app from the Microsoft Store.
“Cocreator is not available” error: This usually means you’re not signed in with a Microsoft account, or Microsoft’s servers are temporarily down. Sign in and try again later.
Slow generation: The AI runs in the cloud, so slow internet or high server load can cause delays. Wait a few seconds; if it takes over a minute, close and reopen Paint.
Generated image looks wrong: The AI interprets your text literally. Be more specific, add adjectives, and specify the style clearly. For example, instead of “a dog,” try “a golden retriever puppy sitting on grass, bright daylight, photorealistic.”
Can’t edit the image after generation: Once you click an image, it becomes a regular layer in Paint. If you’re on the older Paint version, you may need to click “Keep” to place it on the canvas.

How Does Cocreator Compare to Other AI Image Tools?

Cocreator is not the most powerful AI image generator available. It’s designed for quick, simple creations, not professional artwork. Here’s how it stacks up:

Bing Image Creator (free, web): Uses DALL·E 3, produces higher-quality and more detailed images, but you must copy the result into Paint manually.
Midjourney (paid, Discord): Much more artistic control and photorealism, but requires a subscription and a learning curve.
Stable Diffusion (free, local): Runs on your own PC, offers unlimited generations, but requires technical setup and a powerful GPU.
Cocreator: The only one integrated into Paint, so you can edit immediately. But it’s limited to three variations per prompt, and the quality is lower than dedicated tools.

For most casual users, Cocreator is good enough for memes, quick illustrations, or brainstorming visuals. If you need professional-quality images, use a dedicated tool.

Is Cocreator Free and Safe?

Cocreator is completely free to use on Copilot+ PCs. There are no credit limits or watermarks. However, you should be aware of the following:

Content filtering: Microsoft blocks prompts that request violent, sexual, or hateful content. If your prompt is flagged, you’ll get a warning and no image.
Privacy: Your prompts and generated images are sent to Microsoft’s servers. They are not used to train the model, but they may be reviewed for safety. Don’t type personal information.
Copyright: The images you generate are yours to use, but Microsoft’s terms state that the AI may reproduce elements from its training data. Be cautious if you plan to sell the images.

There’s no need to install any third-party software or pay for anything. The feature is built into Windows, so it’s as safe as any other Microsoft service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Cocreator on a non-Copilot+ PC?

No. Cocreator requires the NPU hardware found only in Copilot+ PCs. If your PC doesn’t have it, the button won’t appear. Your only option is to use a web-based AI generator and then import the image into Paint.

Does Cocreator work offline?

No. The AI processing happens on Microsoft’s servers, so you need an internet connection. If you’re offline, the Cocreator button will be grayed out.

Can I generate images in the classic Paint (Windows 10 version)?

No. The classic Paint app doesn’t have Cocreator. You need the new Paint that comes with Windows 11. If you’re on Windows 10, you can’t use it at all.

How do I save a generated image?

After you click a generated image, it becomes a layer on your canvas. Press Ctrl+S to save it as a PNG file. You can also right-click the image and choose “Save as image” to save just that layer.

Why does my prompt get blocked?

Microsoft’s safety filters block prompts that contain violent, sexual, hateful, or illegal content. If you think your prompt is fine, try rephrasing it with different words. For example, “a battle scene” might be blocked, but “two knights fighting with swords” might pass.

Can I use Cocreator to edit existing photos?

No. Cocreator only generates new images from text. It cannot modify an existing photo. However, you can generate an image, then use Paint’s editing tools to combine it with your photos.

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