Innovation in basic tasks like Copying and pasting in Windows 11 is rare, but Windows 11’s new update changes that. With AI integration, copying and pasting are now supercharged, and it doesn’t even require a Copilot+ PC.
According to Windows Latest, Microsoft unveiled a new PowerToys feature at its Build developers conference, making copy and paste especially beneficial for developers. Once enabled, you can choose from three pasting options: Paste as plain text (Ctrl+1), Paste as markdown (Ctrl+2), and Paste as JSON (Ctrl+3).
The new JSON option allows you to paste converted Extensible Markup Language (XML) into JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). This feature supports converting popular programming languages, but it requires your OpenAI API key. The catch? If an API key is ever exposed to a client, it could be compromised, posing significant security risks.
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An advanced clipboard feature is also included. You can paste the copied text into your desired programming language by typing the language name in the magic search bar. For instance, to paste into Python, type “paste as python.”
To enable the feature, go to PowerToys > Advanced Paste and click the blue Enable button for Paste with AI. Follow the instructions to obtain your OpenAI API key, including creating an account if necessary. Remember, AI can make mistakes, so reviewing the generated code for errors in the preview window is advisable.
More good news: Microsoft may soon support additional ways to convert copied text into various programming languages. This feature will be a game-changer for programmers, aiding them in their daily copying and pasting tasks.
While this enhanced copy-and-paste functionality might not be as useful for the average Windows user, it’s exciting to see Microsoft reimagine how AI can transform such a basic aspect of the operating system to be more beneficial.