AI Tips & Tricks: Free AI Image Generator Built Into Windows 11: Testing Paint Cocreator vs DALL·E and Gemini

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Many people are experimenting with AI image generators, but few realize that Windows 11 already includes one. Microsoft Paint now includes Cocreator, a feature that lets users generate images from text prompts using artificial intelligence. If your system supports it, you may already have access to this capability without installing anything new or paying for another platform.

That is good news for organizations that want to explore AI using tools already built into their existing environment. At the same time, convenience does not always mean best-in-class results. To see how well it performs, I tested Paint Cocreator against two other AI image platforms and also compared Paint’s built-in object remover to a third-party editing tool.

What Is Paint Cocreator?

Cocreator is built directly into Microsoft Paint in Windows 11. Instead of drawing an image by hand, users can describe what they want and let AI generate several image options. Using the feature is simple:

1. Open Microsoft Paint
2. Click Cocreator in the toolbar
3. Enter a prompt describing the image
4. Generate several image options
5. Refine or edit the result in Paint

This makes it easy for users to experiment with AI image creation inside a tool they already know. For quick visuals, concept images, or internal materials, that convenience matters.

A Real Prompt Test

To test the feature, I used the same prompt across three different AI systems:

A photorealistic 16:9 wide format hi-res image of an android dressed like a stereotypical French artist of the 19th century painting with one hand and taking photographs with the other. The image is supposed to project a happy, creative mood.

I ran this prompt through:

• Windows Paint Cocreator
• ChatGPT using DALL·E
• Google Gemini using the Nano Banana model

The Gemini version is being used as the hero image for this post.

Comparing the Results

Google Gemini (Nano Banana)

Gemini produced the most polished overall result. The lighting was balanced, the textures felt natural, and the composition looked intentional and complete. The image projected the creative mood very well and looked the most refined of the three.

ChatGPT (DALL·E)

DALL·E produced a colorful and engaging Paris scene with the Eiffel Tower in the background. It captured the playful, creative spirit of the prompt and delivered strong visual storytelling. DALL·E stood out for:

• vibrant color
• lively scene composition
• strong environmental detail

Windows Paint Cocreator

Cocreator did a respectable job capturing the main concept, especially considering that it is included with Windows at no additional cost. The android artist and overall scene were recognizable and usable.

However, the camera portion of the prompt was interpreted awkwardly, appearing almost like a separate extra object rather than a natural part of the scene. Compared with DALL·E and Gemini, the image felt less polished and less coherent. That does not make Cocreator bad. It simply shows that built-in convenience and top-tier image quality are not always the same thing.

Testing Paint’s Smart Object Removal Tool

Paint also includes a smart object remover, which lets users remove unwanted elements from an image.

In the Cocreator image, I used Paint’s built-in removal tool to eliminate the camera.

Result Using Paint

Paint removed the camera, but the edit left visible smudging and background artifacts. For a quick fix, the result is acceptable. For a polished published image, the flaws are still noticeable.

Result Using a Third-Party Tool

I then removed the same camera using inPixio, a third-party AI editing tool. The result was cleaner, with more natural reconstruction and fewer visible traces of the removed object.

This comparison reinforces the same lesson: built-in tools are useful in a pinch, but they are not always the strongest option when image quality matters.

AI Image Tool Comparison

Why Built-In AI Tools Still Matter

Even with their limitations, tools like Cocreator still offer real value. They lower the barrier to entry and let users experiment with AI without adding another subscription, another login, or another unfamiliar platform. Practical uses include:

• blog illustrations
• presentation graphics
• training visuals
• concept mockups
• quick creative experiments

For many everyday tasks, that is more than enough. Not every image needs to be perfect. Sometimes “good and fast” is exactly what is needed.

How CDML Helps Organizations Navigate AI

As artificial intelligence becomes integrated into operating systems, productivity tools, and cloud platforms, organizations are faced with a growing number of options. Some of these tools are built into software they already use, while others are specialized platforms designed for more advanced capabilities.

Understanding which tools make sense for your environment requires more than simply trying the latest AI feature. Organizations need to understand:

• which AI tools are already available in their systems
• when built-in tools are sufficient
• when specialized platforms deliver better results
• how to use AI responsibly and securely
• how AI fits into existing workflows and business processes

CDML helps organizations evaluate AI tools across their technology environment and determine how they can be used safely and effectively. In some cases that means using features already built into existing software. In others, it may involve integrating specialized platforms that provide stronger capabilities.

The goal is not simply adopting AI, but adopting the right tools for the right purpose while maintaining security, governance, and operational efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Paint Cocreator is a welcome addition to Windows 11. It gives users a free and accessible way to experiment with AI image generation inside a familiar application.

Our test shows that it can produce decent results, and its built-in object remover can help with minor edits. But it also shows that Cocreator is not the pinnacle of what AI image creation can achieve today. Dedicated platforms like ChatGPT using DALL·E and Google Gemini using the Nano Banana model still deliver more refined output, and specialized editing tools still do a better job with detailed cleanup.

The practical lesson is simple: use built-in tools like Cocreator when you need fast, convenient results, but do not rule out third-party paid tools when quality and polish matter more.

If you would like help evaluating AI tools, CDML can help you identify practical opportunities and integrate them safely into your workflows.

Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay compliant.

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