Microsoft PowerToys are named “PowerToys” for an interesting reason. These tools help power users, such as developers, IT professionals, and systems administrators, customize their experience and maximize productivity with powerful tools, such as Keyboard Manager (for custom shortcuts), Always on Top (for keeping a specified window in the foreground), Command Not Found (to make PowerShell easier), Color Picker (to know the RGB, HEX, or HSL code for the color pixel under your mouse pointer), and Image Resizer (to resize multiple images simultaneously).
Advanced users can leverage these tools for scripting and automation. For example, scripts can be created with PowerShell using Command Not Found to automate repetitive tasks or system management. Also, workflow optimization becomes achievable by using the Keyboard Manager to craft complex macros for multitasking and speeding up operations.
This article helps you understand all these Windows PowerToys in detail. However, let’s first clear the air about what exactly Microsoft PowerToys are and what problems these tools solve.
Microsoft PowerToys is a free collection of utilities developed by Microsoft to help power users be more productive while using their computers. These tools, which include Image Resizer and Color Picker, among others, offer users a preview of the features they can expect as part of their Windows operating system in the future.
Many Microsoft PowerToys features have become core features of the Windows operating system. For example, the Snap Layouts were tested in PowerToys before being implemented directly into Windows.
The sections below introduce you to the best free Microsoft Store PowerToys you can download for a smoother, streamlined, and more productive Windows experience.
The list of the top Microsoft Windows PowerToys includes Always on Top, Command Not Found, Color Picker, Image Resizer, and Keyboard Manager. Below is a detailed look at these tools.
With Always on Top, you can keep the desired window at the top, i.e., in the foreground, no matter how many windows you have kept open. For example, if you have the Device Manager, Control Panel, and browser open at the same time, but want the Device Manager to stay at the top of all other windows until you close it, the Always on Top Microsoft PowerToys app is what you need. The window at the top is highlighted with a colored border; you can customize its color, thickness, opacity, and roundness.
Moreover, you can also customize the Always on Top app to play a sound when activated, exclude specific applications, disable the border, and pin multiple windows simultaneously.
You can download and install Microsoft PowerToys and then, in the Always on Top application, choose the window you wish to keep on top. Press the Windows key in combination with Ctrl and T to activate or deactivate the Always on Top functionality. This shortcut can be customized to suit your preferences, allowing for added flexibility in managing your workspace.
Click here to learn more about Always on Top
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We always struggled with the command-line tools, such as PowerShell, until we landed our hands on Command Not Found, one of the best Microsoft PowerToys, to find the cmdlets that are not readily available. When you try to use a PowerShell cmdlet that Windows does not natively support, such as the Hyper-V-related cmdlets, the Command Not Found app locates and identifies the modules required to run those cmdlets.
However, the Command Not Found tool works only with PowerShell 7.4 or newer and needs a WinGet Client installation before you can install and use this tool. If you have an older version of PowerShell, consider updating to the latest version from the official Microsoft website.
For WinGet installation issues, ensure that your operating system is updated to the latest version, as WinGet requires Windows 10 version 1809 (build 17763) or later. Additionally, check if Windows Developer Mode is enabled, as it’s necessary for using some PowerToys features. If problems persist, consult online forums or the Microsoft support page for troubleshooting steps specific to your situation.
Click here to learn more about Command Not Found
If you are a graphic designer or someone with a lot of interest in colors, the Color Picker is among the best Windows PowerToys. Once you activate this tool, it tells you the exact HEX, RGB, or HSL code for the color of the pixel under your cursor.
Based on Martin Chrzan’s Color Picker, this utility from the Windows PowerToys contains an editor that displays a history of previously picked colors and lets you fine-tune the chosen color and copy different string representations. Moreover, it automatically copies the color you pick from anywhere on your screen to your clipboard in the desired format.
It helps us a lot with the graphics, as it pinpoints the correct color we need, simplifying our graphics artwork. To access the Color Picker, you can simply use the Windows+Shift+C shortcut after you download Microsoft PowerToys.
Click here to learn more about Color Picker
Met with errors like “this file is too big to send” when sharing files? You are not alone; multiple people, including us, have experienced this frustrating error. However, with Image Resizer, one of the Microsoft Power Toys, you can resize images hassle-free.
This utility allows you to resize multiple image files to the same size in one shot, either replacing the original images or creating copies, whatever you choose. You can select from three different preset sizes at any given time to make the image file smaller, or select a custom image size if you have a specific requirement.
Based on Brice Lambson’s Image Resizer, you can effortlessly access the Image Resizer tool after downloading Windows PowerToys with a right-click in File Explorer.
Click here to learn more about Image Resizer
The Keyboard Manager Windows PowerToys expands your keyboard’s functionality by allowing you to create time-saving shortcuts for all kinds of tasks. With this tool, you can customize the keyboard through custom shortcuts, reassigning keys, and mapping keys to text sequences.
For example, we feel more comfortable using Win+C as the shortcut for copy than the original Ctrl+C shortcut. Hence, we used the keyboard Manager to replace the Ctrl+C shortcut with the Win+C shortcut for copying items.
However, Windows reserves some shortcuts that cannot be replaced. For example, you cannot replace Win+L, Ctrl+Alt+Del, Fn (function) keys, Pause, and Win+G shortcut.
Moreover, you must have Microsoft PowerToys running in the background to apply the remapped keys and shortcuts; they will not work if PowerToys is not running. To ensure seamless functionality, power users may find it beneficial to enable PowerToys to start automatically with Windows. This autostart option helps maintain the continuity of your customized settings and shortcuts without having to manually launch PowerToys each session.
With PowerToys open, select Remap a key to remap keys and Remap a shortcut to remap shortcuts with the Keyboard Manager.
Click here to learn more about Keyboard Manager
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You can follow the steps below to download and install Microsoft PowerToys to use the set of available utilities.
With that, we have come to the end of our best Microsoft PowerToys guide. We hope it helps you make the most of your computer. If you have any questions, you can drop us a comment.
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