Install PowerToys for Windows 11/10
PowerToys consists of a set of modules or programs which enhance the desktop experience and productivity. Here we are talking about: Make sure to keep updating the software, so you get more modules.
1] How to set up PowerToys on Windows 11/10
PowerToys is an open-source project, signed with Microsoft certificates. So they are safe to install on the computer. The setup file is available on PowerToys @ GitHub. Once you go through the basic install wizard, click the PowerToys logo in the notification area on the taskbar. Double click to launch it, and you should see a screen similar to the image below. The first screen is the General Settings, followed by the available modules. As new modules become available, they will be added to the list. It is interesting to note that instead of clubbing all features together, each of the PowerToys can be enabled or downloaded. So if you do not use any function, you can toggle off the option available under each of the modules in General settings. You also have settings to launch with Windows Startup and choose the dark and white mode.
2] FancyZones: Create a custom layout for multiple windows
Windows 10 allows you to resize Windows, and keep multiple windows side by side. It works beautifully when you have two windows to arrange using WIN + Arrow keys. But if you want to have multiple windows, and in a manner that you can utilize the screen efficiently, then you need to use Fancy Zones.
This module offers preconfigured zones or layouts, such as three columns, grid, rows, and so on. You can select any of them, increase or decrease columns, show space around zones, and configure it. If you want to make a layout of your own, you can do that too. Switch to custom, and then create a layout. Once done, save with a name you can remember.
The layout in the image is what I am using. I have a big monitor, and it allows me to keep 2-3 windows in different sizes easily. Once arranged, I can easily snap in the windows using the keyboard shortcut (Win + Arrow) or by dragging them into that area. You can create any number of zones depending on your work requirements. Apart from this, you have tons of settings available. It includes overriding snap key shortcut, flash when active layout changes, keep layout intact when the resolution is changed, and more. It’s an incredible tool for those who need to work on multiple windows all the time.
3] PowerRename
I remember writing about numerous renamer tool, and you can do almost the same with Power Renamer. It offers necessary options like Regex, Exclusion, case sensitive, etc. It also integrates well with context menu so you can start renaming by first selecting the files and then right-click to choose Power Renamer.
4] Shortcut Guide
It’s an informative guide that is suitable for those who aren’t aware of shortcuts available in Windows. Press the Windows key for a little longer than usual, and you should see an overlay with all the essential keyboard shortcuts.
Overall, PowerToys is an excellent initiative for Power users of Windows 11/10 who would love to use these small features daily.
5] Video Conference Mute
If you need a global mute option for Zoom, Skype, and other applications while working on your Windows 11/10 computer, then Video Conference Mute is surely a pretty helpful feature for you. This feature lets you mute both microphone and camera, only camera, and only microphone with a default hotkey or custom hotkey. To use this feature: Once the feature is enabled, all its options will be activated to use. You will have a: Other PowerToys:
Using Text Extractor, Screen Ruler, Quick Accent in PowerToysHow to use Awake PowerToys to keep computer awakePlace a window Always On Top using Microsoft PowerToysPowerToys Run and Keyboard Manager PowerToyHow to use Windows Key Shortcut Guide PowerToyHow to use Color Picker module in Windows PowerToysFind My Mouse & Mouse Highlighter feature in PowerToysMarkdown and SVG Preview pane extension, Image Resizer and Windows Walker PowerToysHosts File Editor and File Locksmith PowerToys let you edit the Hosts file & unlock locked files respectively.
Fancy Zones is my favorite because I need to work with multiple windows every day, and it keeps me sorted. Which one is yours?
Does Microsoft PowerToys work on Windows 11?
Of course, Microsoft PowerToys work on Windows 11 absolutely fine, including the Windows 11 2022 Update Version 22H2. And, the same goes for Windows 10 as well. From Screen Ruler to Image Resizer, Keyboard Manager to Mouse utilities, and Video Conference Mute, etc., all its tools work as expected. If you find some tools are disabled or greyed out, then you need to run PowerToys as an administrator to enable and use such tools.
Does PowerToys slow the computer?
If you use all or a lot of PowerToys tools altogether and your system configuration is average, then definitely it will slow down your computer. On the other hand, if you are using a couple of tools at a time, then it shouldn’t affect your system performance at all. Like any other tool, PowerToys can also have issues from time to time, but those are taken care of by the developer and fixed with updates. Read: How to Back Up and Restore PowerToys Settings
How do I open PowerToys in Windows 11/10?
If you want to open the main interface of PowerToys, then you can use its desktop shortcut (if created), Start menu, Search box, etc. On the other hand, if you want to open a specific tool of PowerToys, like PowerToys Run (a quick application launcher), then press the default hotkey (Alt+Space) or create a custom activation shortcut for that tool.
