Estimated reading time: 21 minutes
Have you ever wished you could get more out of your Windows PC? Maybe a few features that you use all the time in your everyday life, but somehow can't really implement efficiently? Then Microsoft PowerToys is just the thing for you! PowerToys is a collection of practical tools that help you increase your productivity, customize your PC to your liking and make many tasks easier. And best of all, they're free and open source! In this article, you will find out how to install PowerToys on your PC and what useful functions the tools offer.
For detailed instructions and an explanation of all configuration options, I recommend the YouTube video linked below. In this video, every single setting is explained in detail so that you receive comprehensive instructions for the exact setup. You can find any code from the video in this article so that you can use it directly without having to type it in.
What is Microsoft PowerToys?
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of tools designed specifically for power users to increase productivity and efficiency in Windows. Originally introduced as a collection of system extensions in Windows 95, PowerToys was brought back to life with Windows 10 and 11. Today, the tools are available as an open-source project on GitHub, so anyone can download them for free and customize them however they like.
The PowerToys collection offers a wide range of tools, from better window management to quick file renaming. It's a real treasure trove of useful features that can help you organize your PC better and work faster.
Why should you use PowerToys?
PowerToys offers you many advantages that can significantly improve your everyday working life:
- Increased productivityYou can complete everyday tasks faster because the tools take many steps off your hands or make them more efficient.
- CustomizabilityPowerToys allows you to customize Windows to your liking. You can switch as many functions on or off as you like.
- Free and open sourceAll tools are free and available as an open source project on GitHub, so you can customize them as you wish.
- VersatilityPowerToys includes a wide range of functions that benefit not only power users, but also normal Windows users.
All PowerToys tools in detail
PowerToys offers a variety of tools that can help you to make your everyday work on Windows even more efficient. The number is constantly growing and changes frequently. Here are all the current tools you can use with PowerToys, as well as a detailed explanation of how to use them:
1. fancyZones - Better window management
With FancyZones you can optimize your work environment and arrange windows with just a few clicks. It helps you manage multiple windows efficiently on your screen by creating custom layouts where you can drag and drop your windows. You can create zones on your screen that define the size and position of the windows. This keeps your desktop tidy and allows you to switch between different applications more quickly.
Click here for the FancyZones documentation on GitHub.
2. powerRename - rename files quickly
PowerRename is a super handy tool if you need to rename a large number of files. Instead of renaming each file manually, PowerRename allows you to rename multiple files at once using regular expressions. This not only saves you time, but is also incredibly flexible.
Read more about PowerRename.
3. keyboard manager - customize key combinations
The Keyboard Manager allows you to create user-defined shortcuts or change existing ones. So if you need a certain function again and again, you can execute it quickly with a shortcut. It works with both system functions and custom shortcuts for apps. You can customize the key assignment exactly as you wish.
You can find out more here.
4. color picker - find color values quickly
With the Color Picker you can find out the color code of any color on your screen. This is especially helpful for designers or anyone who works with colors on a regular basis. The Color Picker supports multiple formats such as HEX, RGB and HSL. You can quickly copy the color to the clipboard and use it in your projects.
Take a look at Color Picker here.
5. image resizer - scale images quickly
Do you often need to resize images without opening them manually in an image editing program? With Image Resizer you can resize images directly in Explorer using the context menu. Simply enter the desired dimensions and the image will be saved in the appropriate size.
Learn more about Image Resizer.
6th Shortcut Guide - All key combinations at a glance
The Shortcut Guide shows you all available shortcuts for Windows and PowerToys when you hold down the Windows key. This means you can get a quick overview of the most useful shortcuts at any time and make your work even more efficient.
Find out more on GitHub.
7. PowerToys Run - The fast app search and launcher
PowerToys Run is a powerful launcher that allows you to find and open applications, files or even web content at lightning speed. It works similarly to Spotlight on macOS and allows you to search directly for apps, but also for files, folders or even websites. PowerToys Run also supports plugins, so you can customize it even further.
Click here for PowerToys Run on GitHub.
8. fancyZones Editor - easily customize layouts
In addition to FancyZones, PowerToys also offers the FancyZones Editor. With this tool, you can design your window zones even more specifically according to your requirements. The layouts are fully customizable, so you can tailor the workspace perfectly to your needs.
Click here to go to FancyZones Editor.
9. image optimizer - compress images
Image Optimizer helps you to reduce the size of your images without compromising quality. It is particularly useful if you are preparing images for websites or applications and want to ensure that they load quickly without taking up unnecessary storage space.
Find out more here.
10. mouse utilities - extend mouse functionalities
The Mouse Utilities in PowerToys offer advanced functions such as setting user-defined mouse gestures and the use of additional mouse pointers. This allows you to customize your mouse control according to your preferences and work even more efficiently.
Discover Mouse Utilities here.
11. text extractor - extract text from images
Text Extractor is another tool that is particularly useful if you want to extract text from images or screenshots. It uses optical character recognition (OCR) to recognize the text and convert it into an editable form.
Learn more about Text Extractor.
All tools at a glance
There are even more tools. It's best to install the package yourself and see what's available. You are sure to find something useful for you. You can find the complete list here.
Installing and setting up PowerToys
Installing PowerToys is very simple. Go to the GitHub page from PowerToysdownload the latest version and follow the installation instructions. After installation, you can set up all tools via the PowerToys interface and configure them according to your needs.
Automatic updates
PowerToys also offers you the option of checking for updates automatically. This means you always stay up to date and benefit from improvements and new functions without having to do anything. Simply activate the option for automatic updates and PowerToys will take care of the rest.
YouTube video implementation
Conclusion
Microsoft PowerToys is a true Swiss army knife for power users and Windows users who want to get the most out of their PC. Whether you want to better manage your windows, quickly rename files or create custom keyboard shortcuts, PowerToys has a solution for everything. It's free, open source and incredibly handy, so don't hesitate to give it a try!
Download PowerToys today and discover how easily you can improve your working day with these handy tools. Visit the PowerToys GitHub page for more information and to download the latest version.
Have fun discovering and increasing your productivity with Microsoft PowerToys!
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