Top 10 Microsoft PowerToys Features You Need To Enable Today

Even though Windows is a power user’s paradise, downloading specialized programs like picture resizers or keymappers may be a pain. Nevertheless, Microsoft PowerToys, an app that elevates your Windows experience, has previously been launched by Microsoft with these concerns in mind. Thus, in no particular order, I present to you the top 10 uses for Microsoft PowerToys.

Step 1: Image Resizing

Finding websites that can downsize large photographs is a pain, whether you’re working on a project or an article, and then you have to submit your photos. Thankfully, you can resize many photos simultaneously with PowerToys. With this in mind: To choose a picture, just right-click on it.

Windows PowerToys 2’s image-resizing tool in action.

• Various file renaming options
• The time required to rename each file individually is a major source of frustration. This is where PowerRename shines; it enables users to rename several files simultaneously. Let me show you:

• Just right-click on the files you want to keep.
• Press the “PowerRename” button.
• Please enter the new file names and choose the criteria.
• Feature illustration for PowerRename

View file previews

Anyone who has made the move from macOS to Windows has probably observed that the operating system doesn’t offer a built-in file preview option, so they have to open each file individually to see what it looks like. PowerToys eliminates this problem by providing a preview of documents and PDFs on the right side of the screen. Keep in mind that the preview only allows users to navigate through the first 10 pages of a PDF. Download file previews:

Select Shades

Graphic designers understand how difficult it is to zero down on the perfect shade when faced with seemingly endless possibilities. You may get the HEX or RGB value of any icon or page’s color by pointing your cursor at it using the Color Picker tool. To activate it, press Windows+Shift+C after it’s enabled.

Visual representation of the Color Picker function 5. Keyboard Remap

There is no need to purchase a new keyboard if only one key is malfunctioning. This is due to the fact that PowerToys allow you to remap a key that is less commonly used to the faulty one. Also, while you’re working on a project, this function might be helpful for adding additional special characters to your keyboard.

Visual representation of Microsoft PowerToys 6’s remap keys function.

Windows can automatically detect and extract text from photographs, but it requires you to either capture a screenshot or download the image. Fortunately, users may bypass the need to save photos altogether by using the Text Extractor tool, which streamlines the procedure. Let me show you:

The seventh feature image from the Text Extractor programme.

Put an end to your laptop dozing off: Whether you’re downloading games or finishing a massive render, there are instances when you’d like your computer to remain awake. Changing the screen sleep time to never is possible under Settings, but it’s a pain since you have to do it by hand. On the other hand, you may prevent your computer from sleeping for a certain amount of time by using the Awake option.

Awake feature image 8. Control the windows

When it comes to window management, Windows is already light years ahead of competitors like macOS. Nevertheless, FancyZones elevates this function by giving users the power to create their own layouts in addition to a vast choice of customizable windows.

Picture showing Microsoft PowerToys 9’s FancyZones functionality.

Place any window in the upper: With so many windows open at once, it’s easy to lose sight of the primary one when working on a large project. As it keeps a window at the top, the Always on Top feature is a fast repair. Pressing Windows+Ctrl+T while clicking on a window will activate this functionality.

Picture showing Microsoft PowerToys 10’s Always on Top functionality.

Security for Your Files: We’ve all been there: trying to remove an application or file, only to have Windows tell us it’s already open. If this happens to you, rather of rebooting your computer, you may see which program is using the file by using the File Locksmith function. With this in mind:

Press the right mouse button on the file you want to open in File Explorer.
In the menu, find the “What’s using this file?” button and click on it.