- Microsoft PowerToys is a set of free and open-source utilities for extending and customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- It includes tools for managing windows, files, keyboard, mouse, colors, text, and many advanced aspects of the system.
- It can be installed from GitHub, Microsoft Store, or package managers like WinGet, and it updates automatically.
- The project is developed on GitHub, accepts community contributions, and has extensive documentation for users and developers.
Microsoft PowerToys has become one of those "open secrets" for those who want to get the most out of Windows without the hassle of messing with the registry or installing countless different programs. It's a single package that brings together a host of advanced utilities designed to speed up workflows, automate small daily tasks, and customize the system far beyond what Windows offers out of the box.
Behind this project is a Microsoft development team and a very active community that collaborates through GitHub. Being completely open source, anyone can review the code, suggest improvements, report bugs, or even create new features. If you're someone who spends many hours in front of the computer, PowerToys can save you time with small details: shortcuts, better-organized windows, file management utilities, and much more.
What exactly is Microsoft PowerToys?
Essentially, Microsoft PowerToys is a set of free and open-source tools designed for advanced users and developers who want to take Windows 10 and Windows 11 to the next level. It's not included with the operating system; it's a separate download, but it's fully official and maintained by Microsoft.
The idea is to take classic Windows experiences and add new features that aren't included by default , but are integrated as if they were part of the system itself. From controlling how windows are arranged on the desktop to remapping keys, automating actions, or extracting text from the screen, everything is designed to eliminate friction so you can focus on what you're doing, not fighting with the system.
PowerToys is a direct descendant of older tools that appeared with Windows 95 and Windows XP, which were very popular at the time. After years of being dormant, they were reborn in 2019 as an open-source project initially focused on Windows 10, and which is now fully updated for Windows 11. This open approach allows for active community participation and a constant pace of improvements.
One of the great advantages is that all the utilities are bundled into a single application . You don't have to install separate things: you download PowerToys, install it, and from its settings panel you decide which tools you want to activate or deactivate. Some are enabled by default and others are not, so it's worth spending a few minutes initially reviewing the options.
By functioning as a layer on top of the system, you avoid having to modify the registry or touch sensitive settings . This greatly reduces the chances of breaking something in Windows and allows you to test advanced features with relative peace of mind, knowing that you can disable them with a single click if you're not satisfied.
Main features included in PowerToys
Over time, PowerToys has accumulated more than thirty small tools . You don't need to use them all, but it's worth knowing what's available when you need something specific.
The app itself includes an interactive tutorial called “Welcome to PowerToys” that appears the first time you open it. It's a guide with explanations and videos about each feature, designed to help you navigate the many options. If you want to review it later, you can reopen it using the button located in the bottom left corner of the interface, just above the “What's New” section.
These utilities are roughly grouped into categories: system tools, window and desktop management, File Explorer enhancements , and various extra productivity features. Below is an overview of the most important ones, along with their primary uses.
System tools and daily productivity
Within the system utilities block, PowerToys concentrates several functions aimed at making daily work more comfortable and improving productivity in Windows 11 , especially if you spend many hours in front of the PC and handle many windows, texts or colors.
One of the most popular features is Always on Top , which lets you "anchor" any window so it always stays on top of the others. This is very useful for keeping a video, notes, chat, or reference document visible while you work in another application without it disappearing when you switch windows.
Another very convenient tool is Awake , designed to keep your computer active without having to wrestle with Windows power options. You can use it when you need your computer to stay awake during a long download, a meeting, a presentation, or while leaving a background task running.
The Color Picker is perfect for those who work in design, web development, or simply want to know the exact color they're seeing on screen. You can activate a shortcut, point to any area of the monitor, and instantly get the color code in various formats (HEX, RGB, etc.).
Text Extractor does exactly what its name suggests: it extracts text from any area of the screen, even if it's part of an image or an application that doesn't allow copying. It's like having a mini optical character recognition (OCR) tool built into Windows, useful for copying snippets from screenshots, scanned documents, or closed applications.
Among the new features focused on the clipboard, Advanced Paste also stands out , adding options to better control how copied text is pasted, for example by formatting it or cleaning it up to leave only plain text, something especially useful when copying from web pages or documents with complicated styles.
Advanced window and desktop management
If you work with many applications simultaneously, PowerToys' tools for organizing windows and workspaces are incredibly useful. FancyZones is the star of the show, but it's not the only one.
FancyZones lets you define custom zones on your desktop to arrange windows in an organized and consistent way. Instead of being limited to the classic side-by-side layouts in Windows, you can create complex designs: columns, grids, asymmetrical combinations, and more. Then, simply drag a window and it snaps into the chosen zone, keeping your desktop tidy at all times.
The Always on Top feature , mentioned earlier, also falls under window management, allowing you to pin one window on top of the others with a simple keyboard shortcut. It's a very easy way to create your favorite "floating window" without installing anything else.
PowerToys also includes Workspaces , a utility designed to launch entire sets of applications and windows at once. You can define a workspace with your preferred programs and layout and open it with a single click—ideal for starting your work or study environment every day without having to open things one by one.
Complementing these options, there's a Keyboard Shortcuts Guide in Windows that displays an overlay of the main Windows 11 shortcuts when you hold down the corresponding key. It's a perfect visual reminder for gradually learning the shortcuts without having to memorize them all at once.
Improvements to File Explorer and File Management
Microsoft has also enhanced everything related to File Explorer and document management with PowerToys . These are small improvements that, together, greatly speed up repetitive tasks, such as searching for files more quickly.
With File Explorer add-ons , you can enable a variety of custom preview handlers. This allows you, for example, to preview files that Windows doesn't natively support, such as SVG, PDF, QOI, or STL , directly in the preview pane . This is especially useful if you work with vector images, documents, or 3D models and want to identify them without opening them individually.
The Image Resize option adds an action to the right-click context menu for instantly resizing images. Instead of opening an editor, you choose one or more photos, right-click, and select the desired size. This saves a significant amount of time for office work, sending images, or preparing web content.
The File Locksmith utility integrates into the Windows shell to tell you which processes are locking a file or folder. If you've ever tried to delete or rename something and Windows told you it was "being used by another process," this tool lets you see which application is using it and take appropriate action.
Another key tool is PowerRename , a context menu extension that lets you rename many files at once using different rules. It's ideal for organizing photos, documents, collections of downloaded files, or any large set, applying patterns, searches, and replacements in bulk.
Finally, Hosts File Editor offers a quick and user-friendly way to manage the Windows hosts file, something that would normally require opening editors as administrator and exercising extreme caution. This utility allows you to add or edit entries more safely.
Keyboard, mouse, and shortcuts
In the area of data entry, PowerToys includes several utilities to customize how the keyboard and mouse behave , as well as to improve the use of shortcuts and special characters; for example, you can customize the cursor in Windows and other visual details that facilitate working on large screens.
The Keyboard Manager lets you reassign keys and key combinations to your liking. You can swap unused functions for more useful ones, adapt the keyboard to your habits, or create custom shortcuts for specific actions. It's a highly valued feature for those who use keyboards without a Spanish layout or for those who want complete control over their shortcuts.
Mouse Utilities includes several mouse enhancements designed to improve mouse location, highlight clicks, and improve overall mouse performance. These are small details, but on large screens or multi-monitor setups, they can make a significant difference.
The Quick Accent tool solves a classic problem: typing accented or special characters when your keyboard doesn't have them readily available. With this system, you can enter these alternative characters very quickly, without changing the keyboard layout or resorting to numeric codes.
PowerToys also includes a Text Extractor that we have already mentioned, closely linked to text input, since it allows you to "copy" any visible text without the need for the original application to allow it, something especially useful in old programs or closed interfaces.
Rounding out this section, the video conferencing mute feature lets you instantly mute your microphone and webcam in all applications. It's a kind of panic button for online meetings, ideal when you need to ensure no one can hear or see you while you work something out.
PowerToys Run, quick access and on-screen measurement
Another gem in this suite is PowerToys Run , a fast launcher that goes beyond the classic Windows search box. Activated with a shortcut, it displays a search bar where you can type to find and open applications, files, folders, or even run commands—all with a very lightweight approach that consumes minimal resources.
PowerToys Run is designed for those who prefer to control their system primarily with the keyboard and want to minimize the time spent navigating menus or file explorers. It's perfect for launching frequently used tools or locating recent files without having to navigate through different folders.
Among the visual tools is the Screen Ruler , which allows you to measure pixels directly on the monitor. You can select areas of the screen or specific elements to find their exact dimensions, which is very useful for designers, content creators, or anyone who needs to precisely adjust interfaces, images, or windows.
These small tools, added to the rest, make PowerToys act like a Swiss Army knife for Windows , covering gaps that the operating system intentionally leaves open so as not to complicate things for the average user, but which advanced users appreciate having at hand.
System requirements and compatibility
Before you start installing anything, it's important to check that your computer meets PowerToys' minimum requirements . The good news is that they're quite reasonable for any modern PC.
To use PowerToys, you need Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (20H1, build 19041) or later. It also requires a 64-bit processor, either x64 or ARM64, so very old 32-bit computers are incompatible.
During installation, the boot manager also installs the latest stable version of Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime , which is required for certain parts of the interface and some utilities. You don't need to worry too much about this, as the installer handles it automatically.
In practice, any relatively up-to-date computer running Windows 10 or 11 should be able to run PowerToys without problems. Even so, it's always a good idea to keep your system updated with the latest software to avoid incompatibilities and take advantage of performance and security improvements.
Methods to install Microsoft PowerToys on Windows
One of the advantages of PowerToys is that you can install it in several different ways , depending on whether you prefer to download a classic executable, use the Microsoft Store, or use a package manager like WinGet, Chocolatey, or Scoop.
The most direct method is usually to download the .exe file from the project's GitHub releases . On the releases page, you'll see the latest version at the top, and the various installers are listed under "Assets." For most users, the recommended option is the x64 user-mode package.
Another option is to install it from the Microsoft Store , which is especially convenient if you prefer to manage it like any other app in the store. From there, you can install it with a couple of clicks and let it update along with the rest of your apps without much effort.
If you prefer command-line tools, PowerToys is also available via WinGet, the official package manager . After installing WinGet, simply run the corresponding command in a Terminal or PowerShell window to download and install PowerToys. Subsequent updates will respect your configured installation scope (per user or for the entire machine).
Finally, there are community-maintained installation methods through Chocolatey and Scoop . If you already use these managers for your other applications, you can integrate them into your usual workflow by following the instructions published in their respective repositories.
What happens after installation and how to use the application
When the installation is complete, PowerToys opens, displaying an overview window . This initial screen provides a quick overview of each available utility and some introductory instructions to help you get started.
If you go to the Home view in PowerToys settings , you'll see a column on the left listing all the tools. Clicking on any of them opens its central panel with the specific settings, a brief explanation of what it does, and, in many cases, the associated keyboard shortcuts.
From the general settings section , you can enable or disable various utilities and choose whether you want PowerToys to start with Windows, run as administrator, or automatically check for updates. It's generally recommended to leave the search for new versions enabled to ensure you always have the latest fixes and features.
Even if you close the main window, PowerToys will continue running in the background . You'll see its icon in the notification area of the taskbar (the system tray area). Right-clicking that icon will reopen the settings or allow you to exit the program if you ever want to disable all the utilities at once.
From there, daily use is very simple: activate only the tools you actually need , adjust their behavior to your liking, and try them out in your daily work. Since almost everything is controlled with shortcuts or context menus, once you get used to them, you'll use them almost automatically.
Updates, diagnostics, and privacy
PowerToys includes an automatic update check system that runs while the application is active. If it detects a new version and you have the option enabled, you will see a notification to download and install the update.
You can also manually check for new versions from the settings panel, in the updates section. This is useful if you prefer to have full control and decide when to install a new version.
Like many modern applications, PowerToys collects basic diagnostic data (telemetry) to help the development team detect problems, improve performance, and understand which utilities are used most. Microsoft documents what information is collected and how it is handled in the PowerToys data and privacy documentation.
If you're concerned about this, you can consult the documentation for details on what's being sent and for what purpose , and adjust the settings in the app according to your preferences. In any case, the information is used in aggregate to improve the product.
Troubleshooting, uninstallation, and cleanup scripts
In day-to-day use, PowerToys usually works without complications, but if you encounter any bugs or installation errors, the official GitHub repository is the place to go for help.
Within GitHub, the "Issues" tab lists known issues and bugs reported by the community. You can search to see if others have experienced the same problem and check for a solution or planned patch. If you don't find anything similar, you can create a new bug report with details of your issue.
For older versions, such as 0.51 and earlier , there were instances where the MSI file was inaccessible and could not be uninstalled normally. The official recommendation is to download the installer for that version from the releases page and run the command with the `--extract_msi` parameter in PowerShell . This extracts the MSI file to the desktop so it can be used for repair or removal.
In addition, the project maintains specific cleanup scripts for complex uninstallation cases. These scripts, available in the repository within the tools folder, include both classic versions and PowerShell variants to remove remnants of problematic installations.
If at any point you decide to stop using PowerToys completely, you can uninstall it like any other Windows application (from Settings or Control Panel) and, in case of problems, use those official scripts to clean up any traces left on the system.
How to contribute to the PowerToys project and documentation for developers
Beyond simply using it, one of PowerToys' greatest strengths is that anyone can contribute to the project . The development team actively encourages the advanced user community to participate in various ways.
Before you start working on any feature you want to contribute, it's important to read the Contributor's Guide . It explains how to propose changes, how to open pull requests, and what coding and style standards are expected.
The PowerToys team is eager to collaborate with anyone who wants to contribute , helping to define the best approach, offering technical guidance, and providing mentorship during the development of new features. The goal is to avoid duplication of effort and ensure everyone is working towards the same objective.
Collaboration isn't limited to writing code. You can also contribute specifications for new features, interface design, documentation, localization, testing, and bug reporting . Everything adds up, and the Microsoft team regularly recognizes the community's work, emphasizing that without these contributions, PowerToys wouldn't be what it is today.
For those who want to delve deeper, there are recently updated developer documents that explain in detail how to set up the development environment, compile code, debug, and integrate new utilities. Specific information about each of the existing tools is also included to facilitate understanding of their architecture.
As with other Microsoft projects, participation is subject to a Contributor License Agreement (CLA) . By accepting it, you declare that you have the right to contribute that code and grant Microsoft permission to use it within the project. Additionally, PowerToys adheres to the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct , which sets the rules of behavior and respect within the community.
Ultimately, PowerToys is much more than just a utility pack : it's a dynamic project where advanced users, developers, and the Microsoft team itself collaborate to expand the capabilities of Windows. If you enjoy tinkering and improving your tools, this is a very interesting playground for you.
This entire ecosystem of utilities, the ease of installation on Windows 10 and 11, the constant improvements, and the involvement of the community make Microsoft PowerToys one of the best ways to give your PC "superpowers" without complicating your life too much and always maintaining control over what you activate and how you use it.
