Learn How to Use PowerToys to Give Your Windows a Supercharge
Learn How to Use PowerToys to Give Your Windows a Supercharge
Although Windows 11 comes with a plethora of built-in tools, the Microsoft PowerToys application is where the true power resides if you want to fully unleash the potential of the operating system. PowerToys is an excellent collection of utilities that improve productivity, allow users to personalize their desktops, and make routine operations more efficient and intelligent. These utilities were initially developed for expert users. What is the most enjoyable aspect? Microsoft is the company that developed it, and it is absolutely free.
1. Can you explain what PowerToys are and why you should use them?
PowerToys is a collection of sophisticated applications that enhance the capabilities of Windows beyond what is offered by default from the operating system. PowerToys provides you with everything you need in a single location, including everything from window management and rapid resizing to comprehensive file search features. This eliminates the need to depend on third-party applications for every little operation. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a developer, a designer, or simply someone who enjoys being productive; PowerToys can help you save time in hundreds of different ways that are both practical and significant.
2. Tutorial on How to Set Up PowerToys
PowerToys are easy to install by yourself. One may either download it straight from the official PowerToys GitHub page or visit the Microsoft Store to purchase it. When you run it once it has been installed, you will see a dashboard that lists all of the tools that are accessible. Depending on the workflow you are using, you have the ability to activate or disable each tool independently. PowerToys operates in the background in a quiet manner, using very little resources from the system.
3. FancyZones provide more intelligent window management
The FancyZones feature is one of the most well-liked aspects of PowerToys. It gives you the ability to build individualized window layouts, allowing you to arrange your workplace in the manner that best suits your needs. You are able to set zones on your screen and then drag applications right into those zones, which eliminates the need to manually resize and snap windows.
Keeping yourself organized and focused is made easier with the aid of FancyZones if you often engage in multitasking activities such as editing images while referring to notes or running several browsers. In addition, you have the ability to store and switch between several layouts for business, amusement, or study purposes.
4. PowerToys Run, the App Launcher That Really Is Lightning Fast
It is no longer necessary to manually search for applications or forage through the Start Menu. If you press Alt and Space simultaneously, you will be able to access anything immediately in PowerToys Run. All you have to do is input the name of the application, file, or folder that you desire, and it will quickly appear.
Spotlight, which is included in macOS, is comparable to PowerToys Run in that it is lightweight, quick, and ideal for power users. Additionally, it is compatible with plugins, which enables you to carry out computations, do online searches, or execute system instructions straight from the launcher.
5. Keyboard Manager allows you to reassign shortcuts and create new ones.
You are able to remap keys or build custom shortcuts that are tailored to your workflow with the help of the Keyboard Manager. Those of you who have ever desired that a single key could accomplish more than one purpose now have the opportunity to do so.
If you want to make the Caps Lock key function like the Ctrl key, for instance, you may switch single keys. Alternatively, you can construct custom shortcuts that combine numerous keys. It is ideal for those who use laptops and wish to make navigation or accessibility easier from their devices.
6. Rename Files Instantaneously using PowerRename 7.
In the event that you often deal with huge batches of files, whether they be images, documents, or downloads, PowerRename is an indispensable tool. It is possible to rename hundreds of files in a single step by using patterns or search-and-replace rules. This is an alternative to changing each file individually.
Even more skilled users may take use of its capabilities for regular expressions, which makes it a strong alternative to the conventional bulk renaming programs.
7. The Color Picker: Accurate Color Selection No Matter Where You Are
PowerToys’ Color Picker is going to be a huge hit with content developers and designers alike. You may get the precise color code of any region of your screen by using a simple shortcut (Win + Shift + C). This will allow you to obtain the color code in either HEX or RGB format.
This tool guarantees that your work is precise and consistent across the board, whether you are developing a website, altering an image, or matching the colors of a brand.
8. Image Resizer: A Resizing Tool That Is Both Quick and Efficient
Most of the time, launching an image editor such as Paint or Photoshop is required in order to resize pictures on Windows. Using picture Resizer, you can easily choose the size you want for a picture or set of photos by right-clicking on them in File Explorer and selecting the appropriate option.
Not only is this tool quick and precise, but it also supports a variety of formats. Bloggers, photographers, and anybody else who uploads photographs to the internet on a regular basis will find it to be an ideal tool.
9. Awake: Prevent Your Computer From Going to Sleep
As a result of downloads, lengthy renderings, or upgrades, your personal computer may need to remain awake at times. Using Awake, you can prevent Windows from going to sleep without permanently altering your power settings.
Maintaining complete control over the energy behavior of your personal computer is made possible by the fact that it is simple to turn on and off straight from the PowerToys menu.
10. Using the Mouse Utilities, you may highlight and locate your cursor.
If you routinely present or work with numerous displays, you are aware of how simple it is to lose track of where your pointer is located. A double press of the Ctrl key will allow you to find it in a short amount of time thanks to the Mouse Utilities function.
Additionally, it has the capability to highlight the movement of your cursor for demos or lessons, which is a little element but may make a significant impact when it comes to screen recordings or presentations.
11. File Locksmith: Learn What Does It Mean to Lock a File
Do you remember ever attempting to delete or move a file, only to be informed that it is “in use by another program”? The process that is locking the file is identified by File Locksmith, allowing you to shut the file and go on with your work. This feature is extremely helpful when it comes to cleaning up folders or troubleshooting system files that are more difficult to remove.
12. The Text Extractor allows you to copy text from any location.
Text Extractor functions in a manner similar to that of an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool that is built in. You are able to pick any region on your screen, even an image or video frame, and immediately copy the text that is displayed by hitting the Win key, the Shift key, and the T key simultaneously.
The information may be extracted from screenshots, locked PDFs, or software that does not permit text selection. It is an appropriate tool for this purpose.
13. Peek: Instantaneous Evaluation of Files
Peek is a feature of PowerToys that allows you to provide a short peek of files without actually opening them. You may see the contents of a file by selecting it and then pressing the Ctrl and Space keys simultaneously. You can identify files more quickly and decrease the number of clicks that aren’t essential with its support for photos, text documents, code files, and other file types.
14. Remaining at the Top: Pin the Most Important Windows
Always On Top is your new best buddy if you require one window to remain visible while you work in other windows. I really recommend it. To pin a window above all others, press the Win key, the Ctrl key, and the T key simultaneously. When you are juggling many tasks at once, this is an excellent way to keep your notes, calculators, or reference papers accessible.
15. The Intelligent Ruler for Designers, a Measurement Tool
For designers and UI testers, the Measure Tool is a hidden treasure that should not be overlooked. It gives you the ability to measure the distance between on-screen items as well as the alignment between them with pixel accuracy. It is an extremely helpful visual tool that may be used in the process of building interfaces or modifying layouts.
Through the use of PowerToys, Windows 11 is transformed from a basic operating system into a highly configurable and productive powerhouse. Each of the tools is not only lightweight but also serves a specific function and fits seamlessly into the workflow that you currently have.
If you use your computer on a regular basis for creative work, multitasking, or development, downloading PowerToys is one of the most intelligent moves you can make. It is not only about convenience; it is about working more quickly, intelligently, and effectively using tools that have the feeling that they should have been a part of Windows from the beginning.
