If you use Windows daily and like to tinker with the system, you've probably already heard of PowerToys as the “trick kit” for advanced usersWhat you may not be so clear about is how far these utilities have come and how they have incorporated features that, in many cases, are inspired by Linux and macOS to make your life in front of the PC much more comfortable.
With each new version, this Microsoft suite grows until it becomes a kind of Swiss Army knife of productivity for Windows 10 and Windows 11Recent updates have introduced tools like Power Display, Grab and Move, significant improvements to the Keyboard Manager, a revamped Command Palette, and ZoomIt, which can capture scrolling images and extract text on the fly. Let's take a closer look at everything the current PowerToys offer and how you can get the most out of them.
What exactly is Microsoft PowerToys and why is it worth installing?
Unlike other programs, PowerToys is not a single monolithic application, but a modular pack of stand-alone toolsYou choose which features to activate and deactivate from their settings panel. This means you can keep only what you actually use and prevent unnecessary functions from consuming resources in the background.
All development is managed on GitHub, where anyone can review the code, report bugs, or even contribute new featuresThis open philosophy has allowed the suite to grow very quickly since its return in 2019, recapturing the spirit of those classic PowerToys from the Windows 95 era, but with a modern foundation and fully compatible with current versions of the system.
Among its features you will find from advanced window managers including tools for renaming files in bulk, resizing images in batches, launching applications with ultra-fast shortcuts, remapping keyboard and mouse keys, extracting text from the screen, previewing files in Explorer without opening them, or keeping the computer awake without touching power options.
How to contribute to the PowerToys project and solve problems
One of PowerToys' strengths is that it's not a closed product: Microsoft actively encourages the community to collaborateIf you are a developer or simply have a certain level of technical skill, you can participate in the design of new utilities, propose improvements, or help to polish existing ones.
Before you start programming a new function, it's recommended that you take a look at the Contributor guide published in the GitHub repositoryThere you'll find the basic rules, how to coordinate ideas with the official team, and how to avoid duplicating efforts on something already underway. The PowerToys team is usually quite open to discussing proposals, guiding development, and reviewing pull requests.
In addition, there is specific documentation for developers that details how set up the development environment, compile the code, debug, and work with each of the utilitiesThese documents are kept relatively up-to-date to adapt to internal changes in the suite and the new tools that are added version after version.
If your concern isn't contributing, but rather that you've encountered a bug, go to the tab Issues in the PowerToys repository on GitHub You can check if the problem has already been reported or open a new one describing what's happening. If it's a product issue (for example, a utility that stops working after an update), this is the official channel where the team reviews, prioritizes, and fixes problems.
PowerToys in practice: a must-have for many advanced users
For many people who work with PCs daily, PowerToys has become one of those apps that gets installed almost before the browser itselfIt's not just a matter of taste: once you get used to certain features, it's very difficult to go back and live without them in a clean installation of Windows 10. 11.
Since their "rebirth" in May 2019, modern PowerToys have continued to grow. In just three years, they doubled the number of utilities they had in their initial releases, and today the suite includes more than a dozen tools (some with several internal functions) that address all sorts of minor annoyances and limitations of the system.
Some argue that if what you want is Enhance Windows with advanced user featuresIt's more cost-effective to install PowerToys on Windows 10 than to upgrade to Windows 11 just for the new productivity features. Although Microsoft's latest operating system has significantly improved window organization and shortcuts, it still has shortcomings that PowerToys seamlessly fills.
Obviously, not everyone takes full advantage of the package. Some users only use a couple of features, while others have half the catalog activated. That's where your workflow and what actually saves you time on a daily basis come into play, but it's worth knowing what each tool offers to make an informed decision.
FancyZones and advanced window management: much more than Snap Layouts
Among all the utilities, one of the biggest stars is FancyZones. This tool is, basically, a supercharged window design manager which puts the Snap Layouts built into Windows 11 to shame for those who need to organize many applications on screen at once.
Windows already lets you snap windows to different sides or corners with keyboard shortcuts, and Windows 11 adds predefined layouts when you hover over the maximize button. However, with FancyZones you can design the exact grid you want on each monitor: three equal columns, two asymmetrical zones at 2/3 and 1/3, complex combinations for ultrawide screens, different profiles for work, leisure or social networks, etc.
The beauty of it is that you can save multiple custom designs and assign keyboard shortcuts to them to switch between them in seconds. If you have an ultrawide monitor, the difference is huge, because standard Windows layouts tend to be very symmetrical and waste a lot of lateral space when working with very wide resolutions.
Other essential classic PowerToys utilities
Beyond FancyZones, the suite includes a handful of tools that many users already consider a natural part of their desktop. Some of the most used are:
- Always on topThis feature allows you to pin any window so that it remains visible on top of the others, even when switching applications. By default, it's activated with Windows + Ctrl + T on the window you want to pin, although you can change the shortcut to suit your needs.
- Awake: keeps the PC active without going into sleep mode or turning off the screen, ideal when you're doing long downloads, rendering, compiling, or any task you don't want to be interrupted by power management.
- Color pickerIt offers a global eyedropper that works across Windows to get the color code of any pixel on the screen, returning values in hexadecimal, RGB, HSV or CMYK, something very useful for designers, developers and content creators.
- Image Resizer: Adds an option to the Explorer context menu to resize images in batches with a few clicks, using predefined sizes or custom resolutions.
- Explorer Add-ons: adds previews for formats that Windows does not support by default, such as Markdown, PDF, STL, G-code and others, so you can view their content without opening any additional programs.
- Keyboard Manager: allows you to reassign individual keys and entire keyboard shortcuts, mapping your keyboard to your liking or correcting damaged keys or awkward layouts.
- Mouse UtilitiesIt includes tools to quickly find the pointer (for example, by double-pressing Ctrl), highlight left and right clicks, or show centered crosses around the cursor—great for presentations or screen recordings.
- Power RenameIt offers advanced bulk renaming with search and replace, regular expression support, and multiple options for sorting and cleaning large collections of files.
- Powertoys run: an ultra-fast, macOS-style Spotlight application launcher and search engine that opens with Alt + Space and also calculates, converts units, and executes system commands on the fly.
- Shortcut Guide: Displays an overlay with the main Windows keyboard shortcuts to help you memorize them and use the system at full speed.
- Mute video conference: Add a couple of quick shortcuts to mute your microphone or disable your webcam with a click or shortcut when you're in online meetings.
- Text Extractor: an OCR built into Windows itself that lets you capture the text that appears on the screen (in images, videos, error messages, etc.) so you can paste it as editable text.
Key new features of PowerToys 0.99: Power Display, Grab & Move and more
PowerToys version 0.99 has been an interesting leap forward because It adds several new utilities and incorporates features inherited from Linux and macOS. which many users had been missing in Windows for some time. Furthermore, it refines recent tools such as the Command Palette, the Dock, the Keyboard Manager, and ZoomIt, further reinforcing its role as a natural extension of the system.
The first thing that stands out is the inclusion of Power Display, a panel for controlling monitors from the system tray; the Grab and Move function to manipulate windows with the Alt key anywhere; and a good batch of quality-of-life improvements to the Command Palette and its associated Dock, focused on stability, performance, and new display capabilities.
Power Display: Control your monitors without relying on external apps
Power Display is a new tool that appears directly in the Windows notification area, from where you can Open a menu to quickly manage all connected monitors.The utility automatically detects available screens and, if they are compatible, allows you to adjust options such as brightness, contrast, volume, or color profile.
For those who work with multiple screens simultaneously, this means you can modify key parameters without having to search through Windows settings menus or fiddle with the monitor's physical buttonsIn addition, Power Display allows you to create your own profiles to switch between different configurations with a single click (for example, a work profile with more brightness and a rest profile with warmer tones).
But does it really replace third-party apps like Monitorian, Twinkle Tray, or DisplayBuddy? For now, the answer is nuanced. Monitorian remains... More agile for those who constantly adjust the brightnessbecause it offers keyboard shortcuts, simultaneous control of multiple monitors, and a fast response time that Power Display has yet to fully match.
Twinkle Tray goes a step further with custom brightness curves and time schedulingIn addition to fully independent adjustments per screen, which is very useful in mixed setups, DisplayBuddy clearly positions itself in the professional arena, with application-specific profiles, monitor synchronization, and a level of control over fine parameters that Power Display doesn't yet attempt to replicate.
Therefore, for most standard users, Power Display will be sufficient, lightweight and integrated to forget about installing anything else. But if you need extreme automation, advanced workflows, or very detailed control, third-party tools still offer a level of customization that, at least for now, Power Display doesn't cover. It's expected that future updates will refine it, but for now, it's "just another option," not necessarily the definitive one.
Grab and Move: Manipulate windows Linux-style
Another striking new feature of PowerToys 0.99 is Grab and Move, a function that It mimics a very typical behavior of many Linux desktopsIts mission is simple: to allow you to move and resize windows without having to hit the title bar or borders.
It's very simple to use: hold down the Alt key and click with the left mouse button anywhere on the window to drag it and reposition it wherever you want. If instead you right-click while holding Alt, you'll resize the window from the area where your cursor is at that moment.
For desks with limited space or for those who are used to working with overlapping windows and moving them very oftenThis feature can be a real lifesaver. It saves you from having to hunt down the thin edge of the window or scroll up to the bar, which is especially inconvenient when working with full-screen applications without a traditional border.
Command palette and Dock: Ultra-fast shortcuts better integrated
The Command Palette has established itself as one of PowerToys' most popular features, and in version 0.99 it receives Numerous stability fixes and performance improvementsIn addition, it adds new, very practical capabilities for everyday work.
On the one hand, there are now compatibility with plain text and image viewers for various file extensionsThis allows you to preview content directly on the panel without having to open external applications. Additionally, a history feature has been added to the integrated calculator, with options to save, reuse, delete, or clear entries—very useful if you frequently use the palette for quick calculations.
Regarding the Dock associated with this Command Palette, you can now choose to keep it always visible above other windows when placed at the top or bottom of the screen. A compact mode has also been introduced, with a smaller design that fits better on desks with limited vertical space.
The docking function for attaching items to the Dock has also been improved, adding a new dialog box that lets you decide where you want it to appear each anchor. This way you can better organize shortcuts, frequently used commands, or other items you want to have readily available without cluttering your desktop.
Redesigned keyboard manager: more control and flexibility
The Keyboard Manager was one of the most interesting recent additions, and in PowerToys 0.99 it gains even more power. Until now, it already allowed create and manage key reassignments and shortcutsBut the new options make the process much more convenient and powerful.
After recording a reassignment, each key then functions as an editable drop-down menuThis allows you to adjust its function or change it to a different key without having to recreate the mapping from scratch. In practice, this greatly speeds up fine-tuning when designing a custom shortcut scheme.
In addition, an action called Disabled has been incorporated, which allows quickly override reassigned keys or combinations without completely deleting themThis allows you to temporarily disable a conflicting shortcut or a key you don't want to respond (for example, Caps Lock) and restore its function later with a simple change in the settings.
Another important improvement is that now You can select keys that don't physically exist on your keyboard. to use them in combinations, which is very interesting if you are working with compact keyboards or unusual layouts and need to recreate missing keys using alternative combinations.
ZoomIt integrated and improved: scrolling captures and text extraction
ZoomIt, a classic tool for zooming and annotating on screen, is integrated and enhanced within PowerToys 0.99 to strengthen workflows related to screen capture. The most powerful new feature is that it now It allows you to take scrolling screenshotsThis is key if you need to capture long web pages, documents, or any content that extends beyond the visible area.
In addition to that, a function is added to extracting text directly by cropping the captureThis allows you to select an area of the screen, let the tool recognize the text it contains, and use it instantly without retyping anything. This integrates seamlessly with other PowerToys workflows, such as Text Extractor and the Command Palette.
Other notable features: New+, Always on Top, Awake and more
The suite continues to grow with little gems that, without making a fuss, become indispensable once you incorporate them into your routine. A good example is New+, a utility that It allows you to create new files and folders from custom templates.You can prepare a budget template in Excel, a standard letter in Word, or a standard project structure and generate ready-to-edit copies with just a couple of clicks.
Classics like Always on Top, which we've already mentioned, or Awake, which becomes Your best ally to prevent your PC from going to sleep at the worst possible momentEqually useful are Explorer add-ons for viewing previews of Markdown, SVG, or PDF, or PowerRename for sorting hundreds of files in seconds using very specific rules.
PowerToys Run, on the other hand, offers a quick approach similar to launchers on other platforms, but integrated into Windows. However, some users point out that Pressing the Windows key and typing already covers a good part of the search.Run adds extra features such as calculations, conversions, and direct command execution, which more than compensates many for the installation, making it an interesting alternative to others. launchers from other platforms.
It's not all praise, though. Some users, upon a more objective analysis of its actual use, have found that They only consistently use tools like the image resizer And they consider it excessive to install the entire suite just for that, missing, for example, integrated quick-cutting functions. This shows that PowerToys isn't "for everyone," but for those who really take advantage of those extra features.
How to easily download, install, and update PowerToys
PowerToys is a project of Open source and completely freeSo there's no catch: you can install and use it without paying a penny. Furthermore, Microsoft offers several official ways to obtain and keep it up to date.
The easiest way for most users is through the Microsoft StoreSimply open the store, search for "PowerToys", select the official Microsoft app, and tap Install. The Store will automatically manage downloads and updates.
If you prefer to always have the latest stable version or are more accustomed to a technical approach, you can go to the official project page on GitHubGo to the Releases section and download the corresponding .msi installer. After running it, follow the wizard's steps and you're done: you'll eventually see a new PowerToys icon in your system tray.
Another very practical option for advanced users is to use the Windows package manager (winget) From the Terminal or PowerShell. Simply run the command:
winget install Microsoft.PowerToys
Once installed, PowerToys will start automatically with Windows (if you allow it) and from its settings panel you can activate, deactivate, and customize each utility according to your preferences, adjusting keyboard shortcuts, default behaviors and other fine options of each module.
Regarding version updates like 0.99, if you already have the suite installed, you can go to the General section of the main interface and use the button. Search for updatesPowerToys will check for a newer version and guide you through the installation process on the fly.
With this arsenal of features, combining classic tools like FancyZones, PowerRename, Image Resizer, and PowerToys Run with new additions such as Power Display, Grab & Move, the improved Command Palette, the revamped Keyboard Manager, and a much more capable ZoomIt, the suite has become One of the most powerful add-ons for those who want to take Windows a step further without changing their operating system..
