Microsoft PowerToys is a great utility for the power users.
Microsoft PowerToys GitHub: Check here.
.NET Core Runtime 3.1.X (20 or newer): Check here.
Introduction to Microsoft PowerToys:
Microsoft PowerToys is a utility software which bonded with some useful smart features which can be used to access necessary programs quickly or do some quick operations like resize images, highlight mouse cursor, preview more file extensions (like .svg) in Windows Explorer, rename files with advanced options etc.
How to download and install?
Getting started with Microsoft PowerToys:
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| Getting started with Microsoft PowerToys |
First let's go to general settings, the you will find options like, check for updates or automatic download updates. Well here I recommend to turn off the automatic download updates if you're using limited circular data. Because it's updating frequently and new releases are rolling out within a few days.
Note that after closing Microsoft PowerToys, you will notice that Microsoft PowerToys is still running. Because the smart accessibility is running by Microsoft PowerToys. So if it's closed for any reason, you can't access to any smart functionality/shortcuts (except Image resizer and power rename) until you run Microsoft PowerToys again.
Ok so after setting the general, let's roam a bit. There are a lot of useful settings you'll notice first. Like, the mouse cursor highlighter. To enable that, first go to "Mouse utilities", then enable mouse cursor highlighter. After that, you can test it by pressing "Control" key for two times. You can also customize the cursor highlighter according to your needs.
Ok ok.... Enough roaming on. Let's check out the full list of tabs here.
*General
*Awake
Color picker
*FancyZones
*File Explorer add-ons
*Image resizer
*Keyboard Manger
Mouse utilities
*PowerRename
PowerToys Run
Video Conference Mute
So, the * marked are those which can be frequently used by anyone. Let's talk about it, in General settings you can make the general modifications. There is nothing to say about it.
But then I can say something about Awake. This is a very good tool for those who wants to control the sleep mode with more advancement. Just enable it, then control your sleep mode when needed. Yes! Simple as that!
FancyZones is a important tool for you if you want to customize your application's windows (resizing the window). Nothing complicated, just press the "Ctrl" key while dragging the window with your mouse. And that's it! FancyZones is enabled. Also you may enable Override Windows snap then press Win+Ctrl+Alt+[arrowsKeys to navigate your window to your desired multiple zone/size.
Let's talk about those right click tools which can be used even when PowerToys is off. The first tool is PowerRename which is a very useful tool for renaming files and folders. Also in an advanced way (like you can choose whether you want to keep the file format beside the file/folder name or not). Yes, you can ditch your default rename settings. Another tool is Imagine Resizer which is another useful tool. Just right click on any image and you'll see the option to resize images. Then resize the image according to your needs. You can also change the resize preferences from PowerToys.
But the most exciting and useful features are File Explorer add-ons and Keyboard Manager. The File Explorer add-ons let's you to expand the capability of File Explorer. When you'll activate it, it can execute more file types than before. We can consider about the SVG file format. Uhhh..... kepping a third party application to read the .svg file is a pain. So strait words, people who don't want to keep third party "junk" to read files like these. "File Explorer add-ons" is a great tool for those. Also you can use it to preview PDF files. Which is ver useful for everyday user who just rush on the Adobe Acrobat reader to "Just find the right PDF".
On the other hand, Keyboard Manger is a simple yet powerful tool to remap and create new shortcuts. It means no more sticking with the old shortcuts. Just go to PowerToys and and tweak the Keyboard Manager preferences. Done!
Last but not least, everyday people won't use the PowerToys Run. They don't have to. But if you're interested in this application. I have given the full documentation link here.
Wait Wait..... I forgot to tell about the shortcut guide. Nothing, just press Ctrl+Shift+/ (?) and you'll see the whole shortcut guide like the image below.
