Microsoft PowerToys icon
Microsoft PowerToys icon

Microsoft PowerToys

Open-source utilities for Windows include FancyZones for window management, PowerRename for bulk renaming, and Keyboard Manager for custom shortcuts. Ad-free, supports multi-monitor setups, no registration needed, lightweight resource usage, and works offline.

Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 1

Cost / License

  • Free
  • Open Source (MIT)

Application type

Platforms

  • Windows
Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 1
Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 2
+4
Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 3
Alternatives  
324likes
114alternatives
26articles

Features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  File Search
  2.  Tiling Window Manager
  3.  Color Picker
  4.  Key Mapping
  5.  Application Launchers
  6.  SVG Preview
  7. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
  8.  Batch Rename Files
  9.  On top
  10.  Works Offline
  11.  Ad-free
  12.  Snap windows
  13.  No registration required
  14.  OCR
  15.  Snapping
  16.  Support for Multiple Monitors
  17.  Dark Mode
  18.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

 Tags

Microsoft PowerToys News & Activities

Highlights All activities

Recent News

Recent activities

Comments and Reviews

   
Comment summary: Microsoft PowerToys has been well-received for adding powerful, customizable features to Windows, with particular praise for modules like FancyZones and PowerRename. However, there are concerns about its resource usage, occasional issues with multi-monitor setups, and a lack of support for some Windows 10 versions. While some users find it intuitive and useful, others point out crashes, startup behavior without permission, and needing improvement in comparison to similar tools.
Top Positive Comment
NejyCR
2

I feel like I'm late to the game with PowerToys, but I also feel like Microsoft did the same.

I've been using QTTabBar for file previews, ShareX for OCR, and a few other programs that I won't replace with PowerToys version.

The features that I use and enjoy are pin to top, ability to measure pixel dimensions, power run, and fancy zones.

Top Negative Comment
K0RR
2

Crashes whenever I try to use it. It has been like that for a few months. Says update is available but when I check in MS Store it says I have the latest version.

Bokva
0

Love this app. One of those great apps that makes you wonder why these features aren’t already built into Windows. But actually they are added from time to time, in one way or another.

pete79
0

Awesome set of utilities - some of which should really just be built into Windows

Review from a new or low-activity account — shown here, but not counted in the app rating.
undeniably_lizard
0

Fantastic open-source and community led project that makes Windows actually usable. Should absolutely be added to Windows by default, but it is a great software nonetheless.

JimLegal
1

Low quality, heavy on resources. I use it only for mouse w/o borders which dont let me run it as standalone.

TBayAreaPat
1

Puts itself in startup w/o asking. Heavy program. To use as a window manager, enable Fancy Zones, choose layout, drag window holding Shift and `(3 keys above shift). I prefer a different program FancyWM

7 of 19 comments

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Official Links

AppStores & Other Links

Download from Microsoft Store

What is Microsoft PowerToys?

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users aimed at enhancing Windows productivity. The available utilities include:

  • PowerToys - Always on Top icon PowerToys - Always on Top: Pin windows above others with a quick key shortcut (Win+Ctrl).
  • PowerToys - Awake icon PowerToys - Awake: Keeps your computer awake during tasks.
  • PowerToys - Color Picker icon PowerToys - Color Picker: System-wide color picking with Win+Shift+C.
  • Crop And Lock: Create window crops or thumbnails.
  • FancyZones: Manage window layouts and positions.
  • File Explorer Add-ons: Enable Preview pane and thumbnail rendering.
  • File Locksmith: Check file usage in File Explorer.
  • Hosts File Editor: Edit the 'Hosts' file for IP addresses.
  • Image Resizer: Resize images with a right-click.
  • Keyboard Manager: Customize keyboard mappings and shortcuts.
  • Mouse Utilities: Enhance mouse functionality.
  • Mouse Without Borders: Control multiple computers from one keyboard and mouse.
  • Paste as Plain Text: Paste clipboard text without formatting.
  • Peek: Preview file content with a shortcut (Ctrl+Space).
  • PowerRename: Bulk renaming, searching, and replacing of file names.
  • Quick Accent: Type accented characters with a quick key combo.
  • Registry Preview: Visualize and edit Windows Registry files.
  • PowerToys Run: Search and launch apps instantly with Alt+Space.
  • Screen Ruler: Measure pixels on-screen with Win+Shift+M.
  • Shortcut Guide: Displays available shortcuts with Win+Shift+/.
  • Text Extractor: Copy text from anywhere with Win+Shift+T.
  • Video Conference Mute: Globally mute microphone and camera with Win+Shift+Q during a conference call.
  • PowerToys - Environment Variables icon PowerToys - Environment Variables: It allows you to create profiles for managing a set of variables together.

Microsoft PowerToys information

AlternativeTo Categories

OS & Utilities, File Management, Photos & Graphics, System & Hardware, Office & Productivity

GitHub repository

  •  138,646 Stars
  •  8,566 Forks
  •  7724 Open Issues
  •   Updated  
View on GitHub

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Our users have written 19 comments and reviews about Microsoft PowerToys, and it has gotten 324 likes

Microsoft PowerToys was added to AlternativeTo by l3x0r on and this page was last updated . Microsoft PowerToys is sometimes referred to as PowerToys.