tomshardware[.]com/software/windows/no-notepad-for-windows-11-doesnt-require-you-to-use-a-microsoft-account-unless-youre-trying-to-use-ai
This is just in case you come across a web site or post with someone ranting about Microsoft now requiring a login to use Notepad. Some idgit posted this to x/twitter, & it seems it might have legs. It costs credits to use Copilot in Windows for many tasks, including using AI to rewrite whatever in Notepad, and the only way Microsoft can track whether you have the requisite credits or not is to look at your account. If you're not logged in, it cannot do that [duh]. FWIW, the notice the idgit shows in a screenshot only shows up on Copilot+ devices -- I guess those of us on regular PCs don't get such a nice warning notice.
Background... it's no secret that Microsoft, OpenAI etc. have spent a ton of money to get & keep AI working, and they'd very much like to get some of that back. One of the ways that Microsoft's pursuing to make money from AI is to charge credits when you use Copilot in Windows, the *original* idea being that everyone gets a few every month, but once you run out you have to buy more. And they're starting to push that strategy into more Windows features. I just opened Paint [1st time this year] and clicked Image Creator -- it says I need credits included with Microsoft 365 to use it, my only option being to look at an online ad for 365. Just another reason I guess not to renew next month when my subscription expires.