Microsoft Enhances PowerToys’ Advanced Paste with On-Device AI for Faster, Private Copy-Paste Tasks
Microsoft is enhancing its Advanced Paste feature in PowerToys for Windows 11, now enabling on-device AI processing through the latest 0.96 update. This upgrade allows users to run AI models directly on their device’s neural processing unit (NPU), eliminating the need to send data to the cloud for processing. With the new functionality, users can choose to run AI tasks via Microsoft’s Foundry Local or the open-source Ollama platform, both of which support local execution. This means features like text summarization, translation, and rephrasing can now be performed without relying on external APIs or consuming API credits. By keeping data on the device, users gain improved privacy and faster response times, especially for sensitive or personal content. The on-device AI capability marks a significant step forward in making AI tools more accessible and secure for everyday use. In addition to on-device support, Advanced Paste now offers expanded compatibility with a range of third-party AI models, including Azure OpenAI, Gemini, and Mistral. Previously, the tool only worked with OpenAI models, limiting user choice. The update also brings a redesigned interface. Advanced Paste now displays the current clipboard content directly in the tool’s window and includes a model selection dropdown, making it easier to switch between different AI providers or local models based on preference or task needs. These improvements reflect Microsoft’s growing focus on integrating AI into core Windows experiences while prioritizing user privacy, performance, and flexibility. With this update, Advanced Paste becomes a more powerful and versatile tool for managing and enhancing copied content.
