Microsoft PowerToys is a set of free system utilities designed for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity. Originating from the Windows 95 era, these tools have been modernized for Windows 10 and Windows 11, providing functionalities that are not available by default. From enhancing window management to offering quick access to system settings, PowerToys can significantly improve your efficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a casual user, these tools are designed to make your life easier. Let’s dive in!
Before we explore the features, let’s get PowerToys installed on your system:
Color Picker is an efficient tool that allows you to identify and use any color visible on your screen. It captures the color code of any pixel, which is invaluable for graphic designers, web developers, and digital artists who need to match colors precisely. Instead of using external software or taking screenshots to identify colors, Color Picker provides instant access to color values in multiple formats.
Imagine you’re working on a design project and you come across a website with a color scheme you love. You want to replicate one of the colors for your own work:
This eliminates guesswork and ensures color consistency across your projects.
Always on Top is a feature that enhances multitasking by allowing you to pin any window so it stays above all others. This is particularly useful when you need constant access to a specific application, such as a calculator, chat window, or document, while working on other tasks. It helps prevent important windows from getting buried under a stack of other open applications.
Suppose you’re attending an online meeting and taking notes simultaneously. You can pin your note-taking app:
This feature simplifies multitasking by keeping essential tools within immediate reach.
Workspaces in PowerToys allows you to create and manage groups of applications that you frequently use together. Instead of opening each application individually every time you start working, Workspaces launches all your selected apps simultaneously and arranges them as you prefer. This is ideal for users who have routine tasks involving multiple programs.
Imagine you’re a content creator who regularly uses a text editor, web browser, and image editor:
Workspaces streamline your startup routine, saving you valuable time and ensuring a consistent working environment.
Find My Mouse is a utility that helps you quickly locate your mouse cursor, a feature particularly useful for users with large monitors or multiple display setups. When activated, it dims the screen and highlights the cursor’s position with a spotlight effect, allowing you to find it instantly. This reduces frustration and enhances efficiency, especially during presentations or intensive tasks.
During a presentation, you might lose track of the cursor while navigating slides or demonstrating software:
This feature ensures smooth presentations and reduces interruptions caused by misplaced cursors.
The Shortcut Guide is an on-screen overlay that displays all the Windows key shortcuts available in your current context. It’s an excellent learning tool for users who want to become more proficient with keyboard shortcuts but find it challenging to remember them all. By providing a quick reference, it encourages the use of shortcuts, which can significantly speed up your workflow.
Suppose you’re editing a document and want to quickly switch to the desktop:
Over time, using the Shortcut Guide helps you memorize shortcuts, making navigation and task execution faster and more efficient.
Image Resizer is a convenient tool that integrates into Windows File Explorer, allowing you to resize images directly from the context menu. Whether you need to adjust images for emails, websites, or documents, this utility makes the process quick and straightforward without the need for specialized software.
You’re required to upload a profile picture to a website that specifies exact dimensions:
This eliminates the need for complex image editing software and simplifies the resizing process.
PowerToys Run is a powerful quick-launch utility that replaces the standard Windows Run dialog. It allows you to search and launch applications, files, and folders swiftly. Additionally, it can perform simple calculations, run shell commands, and even search the web, all from a single interface, enhancing your productivity.
If you need to quickly open Excel and calculate a value:
PowerToys Run centralizes tasks, reducing the need to navigate through menus or open multiple applications.
Text Extractor utilizes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to copy text from any part of your screen, including images, scanned documents, or applications where text copying is not supported. This is incredibly useful for digitizing printed text, extracting quotes from images, or copying error messages from system dialogs.
Suppose you’re reading a PDF document that doesn’t allow text selection, and you need to quote a paragraph:
This feature saves time and effort, especially when dealing with non-editable text sources.
Microsoft PowerToys is a treasure trove of productivity tools that can significantly enhance your Windows experience. From precise color selection to efficient window management and quick access to utilities, these features are designed to simplify tasks and save you time. By incorporating PowerToys into your daily workflow, you can perform tasks more efficiently and focus on what truly matters.
