How to Install and Use Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of tools available for Windows 10 and 11. These utilities offer multiple functions that can improve your day-to-day Windows operations. Keep scrolling to learn more about these PowerToys and supercharge your PC. 

How to Install Windows Power Tools?

Microsoft PowerToys has some amazing features that you can use on the latest operating system to customize the outlook and functions of Windows, such as remapping the keyboard keys, Windows layout, and more. 

A total of 23 tools are available as open source on GitHub, and you can install them for free. Just navigate through the release page, find the latest PowerToys Setup exe file and download. After the download is complete, you can open and start using the functions. 

However, now that Windows 11 is out, you can install these PowerToys from the Microsoft Store for free. Note that these tools are only available on Windows 11 and 10. 

PowerToys and Their Functions

Following are the Microsoft PowerTools that you can use to customize your Windows experience. 

1. Always On Top: Keep Your Preferred Window Activated All the Time.

While working on a PC, you often have to open more than one window, but you can’t keep all the opened programs active. That’s where the Always On Top function comes in handy. This feature allows you to choose one window active and pinned to the screen. In this way, no matter how many programs you open, your preferred program will always be visible. You can also assign to play a sound when the preferred window is pinned and set the boards of the window to make it more visible. 

2. Awake: Keep Your Windows Awake at Night

Awake Windows is my favorite feature among all of the Microsoft toys, and I have been using it from the beginning of my writing career. This feature prevents your Windows from sleeping without going into Power Settings. All you have to do is enable the feature, and your computer will be Awake all night. If you are working on a task that needs a contantly awake window, or you are hunting clients on Fiver and want your profile to be visible while not having to sit on the system continuously. You can turn Awake on and choose one of the following options to prevent your PC from sleeping. 

• Use the selected plan
• Awake indefinitely
• Awake for a time interval 
• Awake until expiration

3. FancyZones: Creat Neat Layouts 

This feature allows you to set and change window zones to make things easier. You can use a window layout and edit the zone looks and behavior. You can choose the default layout and add or remove grids, rows, and columns or build your own. This feature also allows you to assign a shortcut key to set the layout.  

4. Color Picker: Choose any Color You Want

Color Picker is an amazingly cool Microsoft toy that lets you choose any color and apply it anywhere you want. For example, I was working on an article a few days ago, and I wanted to highlight the “Disclaimer” section with a different color that would set the section apart. 

A brownish tone caught my eye on a landscape picture, and I was able to select the color and add it to the section on my document. You can choose a color from a website, image, or anywhere you want. Once you have selected a color, you can toggle around and select the format (HEX, RGB, CMYK) you want to pick and add the color to display anywhere else. 

5. Image Resizer: Resizing Image with a Few Clicks

Editing tools can be hectic to use, especially when you need to resize multiple images. With Microsoft Image Resizer, you can change the size of bulk images right from the system. Suppose you have saved a few images to add to a document; select all, right-click, and select image resizer from the popped-up tab. You can choose any of the preset sizes from the settings or customize your size. You can also select image encoding from the available options. 

6. File LockSmith: See What Keeps the File from Getting Deleted

File Locksmith helps when you sometimes delete a file and can’t successfully do it because some program is still using the file. If you have no idea which program is keeping the file from getting deleted, you can enable File LockSmith in Powertoys and use it to track the program and delete the file. 

7. Keyboard Manager: Remap Keys Anytime

If you install third-party apps to remap the keyboard keys, the PowertToy tool will help you do so from within the system. You can change the single-key function or add a shortcut via the keyboard manager without having to go through a hectic process. 

8. Mouse Utilities: Keep Track of the Cursor 

Mouse utilities have many functions for the cursor. You can locate the lost cursor via Find My Mouse anytime. You can also turn on Mouse Highlighter to enable a yellow dot whenever you click the mouse. Also, there is Mouse Jump that allows you to move the cursor to get to any point on the screen by shrinking the size of the screen. The last one is Mouse Pointer Crosshairs to show a crosshair over the cursor. 

9. Text Extractor: Copy Text from Any Video or Image

If you are a creator, this Microsoft toy will go a long way and prove significantly helpful for your work. You can extract any text from a video or image and use it elsewhere. Just enable the function, assign a shortcut, and find the image or video you want the text from, press the shortcut, and you are all set. 

10. Crop and Lock: Crop and Create a Copy 

This tool lets you crop any window and turn it into a thumbnail. Once you have enabled the function from the Microsoft PowerToys list, assign a key, go to the window you want to crop, and use the cursor to crop the size you want as you do in the snipping tool, and Voila! You have cropped the window copy. 

11. File Explorer Add-ons: Better Previews 

Microsoft’s Powertoy allows you to set more preview options. You can enable the SVG and MD and view more file formats. You can also see the first 10 pages of the PDF file by turning the settings on. 

12. Hosts File Editor: Change the IP Address of Any Site 

If you want to override the DNS settings and change the default server while troubleshooting a connection problem, you can do so via the Microsoft Power tools. To do so, go to the Power Toys sidebar and select the Hosts File Editor. Now, if it is enabled and set as an administrator, just launch the editor, accept the pop-up warning, and add hostname, IP address, and comment. Next, select add, and you can browse the site by name. 

13. Mouse Without Borders: One Mouse, Multiple Computers

If you want to use multiple computer systems via a single mouse, this tool can help. You can control four computers with one mouse and keyboard and share files and a clipboard between systems. Enable the function from the PowerToys and select a new security key from the bar. Now go to the second computer with Powertools and enter the key. Also, name the first computer and connect. Once connected, you can switch the cursor between the screen effortlessly. 

14. Paste As Plain Text: Remove Unwanted Formatting 

When you copy something to a clipboard and paste it elsewhere later, it often gets pasted with the same formatting it was copied in. Sometimes, you don’t want the bolds and italics in the text, so with Paste as Plain Text enabled, you can choose any type of text from the clipboard and paste it as simple plain text. 

15. Peek: Get a Quick Preview 

In bulk office work, you often have to open files that need specific applications to load, such as Excel for data sheets. Sometimes, these applications can take time to load. That’s where Peek PowerToy comes in. You can enable Peek from PowerToys and assign a shortcut key for the function. Once it’s done, go to the file, press the shortcut keys, and get a quick peek without having to wait for the associated program to open. 

16. PowerToys Run: Easily Search Files From Windows

Computers are often flooded with numerous files, and we often forget where to find a particular file. With PowerToys Run, you can enable universal search. Once the feature is enabled, assign the key and press it to run a quick file search in a search bar. You can customize the number and order of files that will pop up when you type the file name in the search bar. 

17. Video Conference Mute: Better Audio and Video Control 

If you are in an online meeting and want to mute the audio and video, you can use this Mute Power tool to do so. Enable it from the settings and assign a key to mute audio, video, or both. Now, when you are in a conference, you can press the shortcut keys and mute anything you want. 

18. Shortcut Guide: Shortcuts At Your Fingertips

Keyboard shortcuts are very complicated and can be difficult to remember. However, with the help of the Shortcut Guide, you can quickly go through all the shortcuts and continue the good work. Just enable the guide from the PowerToys, assign the key, and every time you press, the Shortcut Guide will pop up.  

19. Quick Accent: Turn the Simple Letter into an Accented Character

People often have difficulty typing an accented character. With this tool, you can add the accent anywhere you are typing. Once you have enabled the function from the settings, you can press the shortcut while writing and change a simple letter to the accented character. 

20. PowerRename: Rename Multiple Files Simultaneously

Renaming files can be difficult, especially when you have too many files and no idea what to do. With PowerRename enabled, you can select the files from the file explorer and rename them all at once. You can add numbers, format, and replace text. Once done, click Apply, and the files will be renamed. 

21. Registry Preview: Quick Portal to Reg Files 

The registry keys and files are complex, but sometimes you have to review and import the keys into the Registry. You can do so by enabling the function from the PowerToys settings and launching the Registry. A separate window will pop up with all the files. 

22. Screen Ruler: Measure the Pixels of the Screen 

This unique Microsoft Powertoy is to measure the screen pixels. Move your mouse to see the pixels of the area you want after enabling the function from the Powertools manager. This tool comes in handy if you are a creator or programmer and want to measure the pixels around the elements. 

FAQs

1. Is Microsoft PowerToys safe? 

Yes, Microsoft PowerToys are completely official and safe. You can install these tools from Github or the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 and 10 and customize your user experience. 

2. Can I uninstall Microsoft PowerToys? 

Yes, you can uninstall it completely. Go to the apps and features in the settings and find PowerToys. Now, right-click the file, and select uninstall and proceed. 

3. Is PowerToys free? 

Yes, PowerToys are totally free. They are available as an open source on GitHub. You can install the file and run the tools on the computer.