Microsoft announced the return of PowerToys in 2019, as an enhanced set of tools aimed at maximising productivity and adding customisation to your experience.
What are PowerToys?
PowerToys are a series of subtle UI tweaks aimed at improving productivity and enhancing the user experience. They mainly consist of shortcuts and workaround, but also offer extensive scope for customisation. PowerToys were originally introduced back on Windows 95, before being dropped with the move to Windows 7 in 2009. Almost a decade later, Microsoft announced that PowerToys would be returning. While earlier versions focused almost exclusively on power users, its reintroduction will cater more to mainstream needs. At Build 2020, Microsoft announced the arrival of a PowerToys Run launcher, which makes it easier to quickly access shortcuts and tools from a single search. This is also open source, allowing many developers to build functionality directly into search. Currently, PowerToys fall into the following categories:
GeneralFancyZones – Arrange and snap windows into a specific layout to support your workflowFile Explorer PreviewImage ResizerKeyboard Manager – Remap the keyboard and add shortcuts to suit youPowerRename – Quickly rename and group filesPowerToys Run
How to use PowerToys on Windows 10
More PowerToys features are set to officially arrive in the upcoming Windows 10 May 2020 update, so you can’t use all the tools just yet. However, downloading the above launcher will add additional functionality to the search function. Once downloaded, it will work in the same way as the Run command has on Windows, so just hit the Windows key + R to start using. The aforementioned Keyboard Manager is also available in the latest version of PowerToys. Alongside the other categories listed above, customisation options will be available via the settings menu. This app is also set to auto-update by default, so you’ll always have access to the latest version of PowerToys. PowerToys can also be used to rename files in bulk. As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.
