No matter how many features Microsoft cram in Windows 10 operating system, there will always be users looking for a faster, better or at least different way. Repetition of an operating system (no matter how well it works) is just part of human nature and it cannot be extinguished, so why not embrace it?
Microsoft’s admission of this force of human nature is Windows PowerToys Download. (With the general release of Microsoft Windows 11the developers are currently referring to this project as Windows PowerToys and not Windows 10. PowerToys.) A somewhat unusual set of free Windows tools that have been part of the Windows operating system landscape since Windows 95, but their availability has been significantly absent for Windows 10 and Windows 11 – at least until September 2019.
In 2019, Microsoft, in partnership with development company Janea Systems, released the first two PowerToys for Windows 10, with the promise of more releases in the near future. This TechRepublic cheat sheet describes each available tool or feature provided by Microsoft’s official Windows PowerToys.
UNDERSTAND: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
When was Windows PowerToys first available?
The first set of Windows PowerToys was provided for Windows 95. That first set of 15 free utilities has been published and endorsed by Microsoft and is available as a free download.
From the outset, PowerToys has been designed for use by “advanced users” looking to tweak the way the operating system works. In some cases, a careless change made using the PowerToys utility by an inexperienced user can adversely affect the Windows operating system, so novice users are encouraged to use it with caution. .
For the most part, though, PowerToys will allow users, whether they consider themselves “powerful” or not, to easily make tweaks to the look and feel of Windows without diving into the details. scary and dangerous configuration or editing screen of Windows Registry files. Windows 95 PowerToys includes:
- TweakUI used to tweak confusing Windows settings.
- Autoplay CD allows all CDs to autoplay, not just audio CDs.
- Command Prompt here opened a command prompt in the current directory.
- Explore from here opened File Explorer in the current directory.
- FlexiCD allows users to control audio CDs from the Taskbar.
- Xmouse 1.2 allows the user to change the window focus by moving the mouse pointer, no mouse click required.
Over the years and different versions of Windows, individual PowerToys have come and gone. Each version of Windows inspires a new set of tools based on what the developers see as necessary to improve and enhance that version. Windows 10 has inspired a whole new set of PowerToys.
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How to get Windows PowerToys?
Traditionally, each electronic toy was provided as a separate executable, available as a free download from a specific Microsoft website. For Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft is taking a slightly different approach: All Windows 10 PowerToys are now included as part of a free, user-configurable downloadable system. Picture A shows you what the Windows PowerToys system looks like.
Picture A
Windows PowerToys version 0.62.0 now available on GitHub. The v0.62.0 release includes bug fixes and quality of life features based on user and developer feedback, along with three new tools. Version 0.62.0 adds Screen Ruler, Quick Accent and Text Extractor to the list of available tools.
These PowerToys are currently available:
UNDERSTAND: All TechRepublic cheat sheets and smart people’s guide
What can Windows PowerToys do?
Below is a list of available Windows PowerToys with a brief description of each toy’s function.
FancyZones
FancyZones Allows users to manage where and how individual application windows open on the Windows desktop appear.
For example, you can use FancyZones to set up a Windows 10 desktop where Outlook always shows on the right side of the screen, Twitter or other social media always shows on the left side of the screen, and Word or Excel always shows up. display shown in the middle between the two remaining sections. There will be three distinct and permanent areas displayed at all times. Figure BUG shows how you choose that profile.
Figure BUG
Windows shortcut guide
The Windows shortcut guide will show all the keyboard shortcuts available for the current Windows desktop (SIZE). This PowerToy is activated by holding down the Windows key for the period specified in the tool’s configuration settings. Default is 900ms. Now, users won’t have to remember all the keyboard shortcuts associated with that Windows key.
SIZE
PowerRename
The Power Rename Windows PowerToy provides users with advanced tools to batch rename file names. The toy expands the Windows Shell Context Menu to add an entry for PowerRename to File Explorer (Visualization). With PowerRename enabled, simple search and replace or a more powerful regular expression suitable for bulk renaming is added to your toolkit. The preview area is displayed when you perform the search and replace procedures so that the user can see how the filename will change before taking action.
Visualization
Preview the Pane add-in for File Explorer
This Windows PowerToy extends the Preview Pane feature already available in the standard File Explorer app by adding additional file types. The preview pane allows the user to preview the contents of a file after clicking on it in File Explorer without actually opening the file (Figure E). Version 0.16.0 adds preview support for Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg) and Markdown (.md) files. Additional file types are under development.
Figure E
Edit image
The Windows PowerToy image editor adds more functionality to File Explorer by allowing users to apply bulk image resizing. The user selects the image in File Explorer and then selects the Resize new image item on the context menu (Figure F), revealed with a right click on any image.
Figure F
Windows Walker
Windows Walker Windows PowerToy is designed to replace the standard Alt-Tab feature of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Users press CTRL-Windows instead of Alt-Tab to pull up the search box (WOOD Figure). Users enter keywords in the search box to narrow down the open apps and screens on their screen.
WOOD Figure
Run PowerToys
Run PowerToys acts as a quick launcher in Windows. It is another extension of the ALT-Tab concept and exploits the Windows file indexing system. To activate the tool, use the keyboard combination ALT-Space and start typing your desired application name (Family picture). PowerToys Run will search the system and start listing possible apps based on your search term. When the app you want appears, click or tap to run.
Family picture
Keyboard Manager
The Keyboard Manager The application in Windows PowerToys is a simple keyboard remapper. Run the application from the PowerToys menu (Figure I) and remap a key on your keyboard or remap a shortcut key combination. Whatever you remap will still work as long as Keyboard Manager is enabled and PowerToys is running in the background.
Figure I
Color picker
Color picker was contributed by Martin Chrzan to the Windows PowerToys project. The utility allows you to identify any color on your screen by its HEX or RGB code and then save that information to the Windows clipboard for later use (Figure J). It is a simple tool, but it can save time and prevent frustration for developers and content creators working on color design.
Figure J
Mute video conferencing
Due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions, many of us are relying on remote video conferencing for work-school interactions and collaboration. The Tool to Mute Video Conferences in Windows PowerToys (Figure K) allows you to mute audio and video on your PC with a single keystroke. You can mute both audio and video at the same time or independently. The same key combination will return the audio and video to the on position. The Video Conferencing Mute Tool works regardless of which app you’re using or which one is currently in the foreground.
Figure K
Awake
The Windows PowerToys Awake tool has been contributed by the community to the PowerToys project with attribution of Den Delimarsky. Awake allows users to keep their computer running on demand without having to manage its power settings. The simple configuration screen for Awake is shown in FIGURE.
FIGURE
Mouse widget
Mouse widget has been contributed to the Windows PowerToys project by Raymond Chen. Mouse utilities will be a collection of features that enhance mouse and pointer functionality on a Windows system. Currently the project contains only a single Find My Mouse feature, but more features will be added to the app in future releases.
With two consecutive presses of the Left CTRL key, Find My Mouse locates your mouse pointer and marks its current position with a halo (Mother Figure). Pressing the Esc key removes the highlight. The Find My Mouse feature is useful for large-screen presentations when you want to draw your audience’s attention to a specific area of the screen.
Mother Figure
Always on top allows the user to specify the application window currently in focus as “always on top” with a toggle shortcut (FEMALE PICTURES). Regardless of any commands, clicks, or other inputs made from that point on, the specified window will remain in the first position, replacing any other open windows until Shutdown stays on. together. The default keyboard shortcut for the Always On Top toggle is Windows Key + CTRL + T.
FEMALE PICTURES
Screen Ruler
Windows PowerToys utility screen ruler, shown in Figure O, is a quick and easy way to measure the pixels displayed on your display. This tool is perfect for determining the pixel size of a potential screenshot or for arranging objects in a document.
Figure O
Quick mark
The Window PowerToys Quick Accent utility, shown in Figure P, is an alternative to typing accented characters, useful when the keyboard doesn’t support that particular accent with a quick keystroke. Use this utility to generate accented characters for writing in languages other than English.
Figure P
Text Extraction
Window PowerToys utility text extractor, shown in Figure Q, is a convenient way to copy text from anywhere on your screen. This code is based on Joe Finney’s Text Grab. Text Extractor uses optical character recognition to read text on the screen, so it may require editing or re-reading.
Figure Q
New Windows PowerToys will be added to the list of available tools periodically.
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Why is Windows PowerToys important?
Windows PowerToys provides tools and features that can help users of the Windows operating system be more productive and in other words happier. Over the years, many users have depended on one or more of these PowerToys for their daily computer productivity. For many proficient users, PowerToys improves their quality of life.
In addition to helping users be more productive, PowerToys also provides an overview of what features and tools may become an integral part of the Windows operating system in the future. Many of these once-separated tools became another part of the operating system in its next iteration.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the latest version of Windows PowerToys.
