An old friend returns, this time in Windows 10: PowerToys! Microsoft revives the toolkit for tinkering with Windows after 12 years. In this overview we keep track of what you can do with it. There are always more options being added.
First we are going to install the software. Download PowerToys by checking the latest version on the msifile and save it. Then start it up and go through the installation. The program is located at the bottom right of the taskbar.
Click on the icon that resembles a calculator to open PowerToys. You will arrive at the main menu, where you can determine which tools you want to have active. Below we take a closer look at the different options.
Another quick tip: since version 0.17, PowerToys can automatically stay up-to-date. Previously you had to perform every update manually. Go to General and look at the bottom option: Download updates automatically. Set the slider here On.
Shortcut Guide
Try out the Shortcut Guide by holding the Windows key briefly. You now see a handy overview of all possible key combinations, so that you no longer have to remember them yourself. This window also has a dark mode. To enable it, go to the PowerToys main menu, and then Shorcuit Guide /Choose Shortcut Guide overlay color /dark.
PowerRename
With PowerRename you get more options to rename multiple file names at once. For example, select a set of photos and right-click on it. In the context menu you will now see the option PowerRename to stand.
The window that opens works in a similar way to looking up words (Search for) and replace (Replace with) in a Word document. below Options you determine, among other things, whether files in subfolders should also be renamed or not.
FancyZones
FancyZones require more explanation. This tool gives you the option to run multiple windows side by side in a layout that you like. This is especially welcome for multitaskers. For example, you have a browser, Word document and music player at your disposal at a glance. Endless alt-tabs looking for the right window are thus a thing of the past.
Click in PowerToys Settings on FancyZones and then choose Edit Zones. For convenience, we now choose one of the preconceived layouts: Priory Grid. By the top of the plus icon clicking, we make it a layout consisting of five windows. With the space around zonesoptions at the bottom determine the amount of white space between the individual windows.
Now you are going to choose which programs or even folders you want to have in each window. As an example, we will place the Chrome browser in the middle box. Open Chrome and pretend to drag the window while holding down the Shift key. The FancyZones grid now pops up. Drag the Chrome window to the center box and release to dock the browser.
You now do the same for the other software. In the example below we are running three websites, a Windows folder and a Word document side by side. Spotify also lends itself well to it. You can decide for yourself. Especially if you are going to come up with a custom layout.
If you really want to customize FancyZones, click after Edit Zones at the top next to Templates on custom. Choose Create new custom and click Edit selected layout. By on it plus icon clicking, you add windows to the layout. As much as you want. By dragging the corners, you determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
Finally, give your layout a name and close with Save and apply.
File Explorer Preview
In Windows 10 it is possible to preview a certain file in several ways without opening it especially for it. Just go to any folder with files and press the key combination Alt+P. As soon as you click on a file (so do not double click), an example will appear on the right. This works not only for images but also for Word documents, among others, which are so quick to read (but not editable).
Enabling File Explorer Preview makes this feature work for two additional file types. Namely .svg files and files based on markdown. By the way, another way to call up the preview is via Image tapping one of the icons next to Navigation pane: Preview window or Details window.
Image Resizer
Adjusting image sizes can be a time consuming task. Especially if you are not used to working with graphics programs, such as Adobe Photoshop. Image Resizer therefore comes when called for. As the name suggests, it allows you to easily change the size of images. Even from multiple images at the same time.
That works as follows. Select one (or a few) images and right-click on them. An option has been added to this menu: Resize image. Click on it and a new window will open. There are several sizes to choose from here. If you are happy with your choice, click Reduce/Enlarge.
The modified images are created as new files. If you prefer to change the original files without making a copy, put a check in front of it Modify the original images (don't make copies). Please note that this will cause the original image to be lost.
You can also adjust the formats that you see in this window completely to your liking. This is in case you often need a certain size that is not listed by default. To do this, open PowerToys itself and click Image Resizer. below Image Sizes you will find the formats, under encoding you will find options for the image quality and below traffic jam finally what the file names will look like.
Keyboard Manager
Keyboard Manager is a tool that allows you to remap keys. That is, you press A, for example, but your PC registers this as B. An option for the real power user who would like to perform certain actions as quickly as possible. The nice thing is that you can also adjust key combinations with it, so that Ctrl+C, for example, does not copy but paste.
In PowerToys you can get started with this at Keyboard Manager to choose Remap a key or Remap a shortcut. Many keyboards already offer this option with their own software. Think of Logitech keyboards that use the G Hub program for this. This PowerToys tool does not require separate software or a keyboard of a certain brand.
PowerToys Run
The longer you use a Windows PC, the more it contains and the more difficult it is to find certain programs, files and settings. PowerToys Run helps with this. Press the key combination Alt + spacebar to open a search window. Type the name of what you are looking for and select the software or file with the arrow keys or with your mouse.
Its operation resembles the To carry outmenu of Windows, which can be called up via Windows key + R. Only with a graphical shell that is more inviting for the average user. It is also the intention that the functionality will be expanded in the future.
Color Picker
Anyone who does a lot of graphic work will certainly appreciate the Color Picker. By means of a key combination (standard Windows key + Shift + C) your cursor changes into a pipette. A window shows the color code of what you point to. By scrolling you zoom in further, so that your selection becomes even more accurate.
Suppose you see a photo of a forest and want to know exactly a certain color of green from it. Point to the part of the photo with the color picker and write down the color code. Both HEX and RGB color codes are shown. You can then enter these values in the color selection menu of Adobe Photoshop or a similar program.
If the shortcut key for this does not work, as was the case with us, then choose a different key combination in the Color Picker menu of PowerToys.
