What is Microsoft PowerToys?
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities to tune and streamline the Windows experience for greater productivity.
What does PowerToys do?
Microsoft says, “Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities designed for power users for use on the Windows operating system. These programs add or change features to maximize productivity or add more customization”.
PowerToys is created using open-source community feedback. “Open-source software”, according to Wikipedia, is a “type of computer software in which source code is released under a license in which the copyright holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose. Open-source software may be developed in a collaborative public manner”.
So, in other words, Microsoft have realised that there is a vast power resource out there in the open source community, and have decided to embrace it to enable many power features to be added to Windows.
Microsoft is using the power of the people to find “ways to squeeze more efficiency out of Windows 10”.
Who is PowerToys for?
PowerToys is really for geeks (officially “power users”). The Wikipedia definition of a power user
is “a user of computers, software and other electronic devices, who uses advanced features of computer hardware, operating systems, programs, or websites which are not used by the average user”
If this is you, you’ll love PowerToys.
But, even if you don’t fit the “power user” category, if there are features you could benefit from, you
might like to give it a try…?
The PowerToys for Windows 10 are free software.
What features does the current version of PowerToys bring?
Current PowerToy utilities include:
- FancyZones – manage window layouts and positions
- Image Resizer – simplifies this task
- File Explorer Add-Ons – preview panes
- Keyboard Manager – remap keys etc
- Power Rename – enables bulk renaming using search-and-replace
- PowerToys Run – launch your app instantly
- ShortCut Guide – appears when you hold the Windows key down for more than 1 second
Interested?
Head over to GitHub to find out more and get PowerToys!
If you have questions about any aspect of how to get more out of your IT, head over to datamills.co.uk, or give us a call on 0114 287 0510 to book your free half-hour review.