When we install Windows, the operating system usually installs by default a series of useful basic applications and programs to use the operating system more efficiently. These programs are, among others, the calculator, the notebook and Paint. However, Microsoft has many other programs and many other proprietary tools designed to improve Windows productivity that, although they are not installed by default, allow us to improve the utility of the operating system and help us work more comfortably. These are what we know as Microsoft PowerToys .
Microsoft PowerToys are a set of utilities developed by Microsoft designed to improve the experience of using Windows and help users to improve their productivity . These applications were launched in the Windows 95 era . With the passage of time, these were falling into oblivion. However, now Microsoft is ready to resuscitate its PowerToys, and it will also do so as open source applications.
On the net we can find many other programs similar to PowerToys to do similar tasks in Windows. However, Microsoft has opted to revive the classic applications of Windows 95 maintaining, above all, its essence of simple applications. Each PowerToy is focused only on a specific task, and therefore does not offer additional functions or features.
Improving productivity as well as simplicity impossible to beat are the most important aspects of these tools.
Applications included in MS PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys is not a program as such, but consists of a set of utilities. The main objective of this project is to revive all the classic applications of the Windows 95 era , Microsoft is doing it little by little.
The list of applications is increasing from time to time with new tools. As of today, the programs included in this pack are:
FancyZones
Fancy Zones comes as a window manager to help us work more efficiently and improve workflow by working with multiple windows at the same time when we don’t have a second monitor on hand. This program allows us to configure different locations for windows on a desktop so that when a window is dragged directly to that area, it automatically adjusts to it.
Shortcut
Keyboard shortcuts allow us to work faster with our computer, but if we do not have a good memory it is very easy to forget about them. Shortcut seeks to become a simple guide to the keyboard shortcuts of the Win key so that it can be consulted whenever we want.
To do this, we just have to hold the Win key for a second to bring up this list of keyboard shortcuts and we can choose the one we want to execute.
PowerRename
As we can deduce from its name, this PowerToy is a program designed to facilitate the task of renaming files and folders on the computer. Windows serially allows us to rename any file individually, but when it comes to renaming it in bulk, things change.
This PowerToy is inserted inside the contextual panel of Windows 10 and allows us to display a window from which we can choose whether we want to easily rename the files or have access to more advanced functions to rename them.
File Explorer (Preview Panes)
The lack of a preview function for Windows files has been one of the most criticized aspects by users. Finally, thanks to PowerToys, it is possible to enable this function within Windows 10.
This add-on for the Windows 10 file explorer allows us to enable a sidebar with a preview that will allow us to see the content of the files that we select.
Image Resizer
This tool is also integrated within the context menu of Windows 10 Explorer, in a similar way as PowerRename does. Image Resizer will allow us to resize all kinds of images very quickly and in batches by simply right-clicking on them.
Window walker
The Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut allows us to easily switch between all the programs and all the applications that we have open. The Windows 10 interface for this function is very simple, showing thumbnails of the open windows so that we can move directly to the one we want easily. However, it could be even simpler.
Pressing the keyboard shortcut Windows + Control we can see a text bar, in which we can write the window or process we want to go to. When we press Enter, we will automatically go to it.
PowerToys: tools for advanced users
Any user can install PowerToys on Windows 10, however many may not need them. All Windows functions and features are designed to meet minimum needs for all users.
Users who need additional functions, and who already have a certain level of knowledge with the operating system, must install these PowerToys . If we do not like simple and minimalist applications, surely we will not feel comfortable with them.
Download Microsoft PowerToys
All Microsoft PowerToy s tools are completely free for all users. Furthermore, they are open source, so anyone can see their code and even collaborate in the development and improvement of these tools.
The latest version of Microsoft PowerToys can be downloaded free of charge from its repository on GitHub . Microsoft is constantly working to include new applications within its PowerToys pack, so it is important to make sure you always have this pack up to date.
Microsoft allows us to install PowerToys on any PC with Windows 10 version 1803 or higher. The installation can be done through the MSI that we can download from GitHub, or with the command “choco install powertoys” in case of using the Chocolatey tools.
Unfortunately, Microsoft does not allow to install only the tools that we need. PowerToys installs all the tools in the pack, and then it is up to us to use them or not to use them. As we have seen, some are integrated within the operating system, while others must be launched manually with a keyboard shortcut.