PowerToys
github.com/microsoft/powertoys- Category
- Developer Tools
- Rank
- No. 45Tools index
- Type
- APP
- Builder
- microsoft
- GitHub
- 138.5k stars
- Latest release
- v0.101.2492.0
- Date
About
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of 30+ utilities that help power users customize Windows and streamline everyday tasks, including FancyZones, PowerToys Run, Color Picker, and Command Palette.
What it does
PowerToys runs as a Windows host that coordinates focused desktop tools. Users enable the pieces they need for arranging windows, remapping keys, resizing images, extracting text, managing files, launching workspaces, keeping the computer awake, and handling other recurring system chores.
Why it's ranked here
This is a strong pick for Windows users whose friction spans several small tasks. Its value comes from breadth with shared installation and configuration, plus deployment support through Group Policy and Desired State Configuration. The native modules also include process isolation, policy checks, logging, and parent-process shutdown handling.
What's good
Installation covers GitHub executables, Microsoft Store, WinGet, and community package managers. Administrators can declare, test, export, and enforce settings per utility. Several modules guard against duplicate instances, honor Group Policy, and exit with the main runner. PowerToys Run also has a substantial community plugin ecosystem.
Tradeoffs
It serves Windows, so it does not provide a cross-platform workflow. The broad module set creates more moving parts than a single-purpose utility. Some tools depend on the central runner and cannot operate alone. Community PowerToys Run plugins require manual copying, carry no official Microsoft support, and are installed at the user's risk.
How to use it well
It suits Windows power users and administrators who repeatedly arrange windows, remap input, inspect files, launch application sets, or standardize workstation settings. Enable only the utilities that remove real friction, then manage repeatable setups through Desired State Configuration or Group Policy. Do not treat its community plugin list as an officially supported extension marketplace or expect it to manage non-Windows systems.
Technical notes+
The native orchestration in src/runner/main.cpp initializes the tray, settings, centralized keyboard hook, updates, notifications, and a fixed list of module DLLs. src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZones/main.cpp, src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTop/main.cpp, and src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEngine/main.cpp use mutexes, Group Policy checks, telemetry providers, and parent-process monitoring. src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLock/main.cpp dispatches named events to reparent, thumbnail, or screenshot modes and explicitly rejects standalone startup. src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithCLI/main.cpp exposes a command-line process finder and terminator. doc/dsc/overview.md documents declarative get, set, test, export, schema, and manifest operations, while doc/devdocs/events.md describes opt-in ETW telemetry for C++ and C# modules.
Observed
- Platform support
- Windows desktop; the supplied runner code distinguishes Windows 10 from Windows 11 functionality.
- Installation surface
- GitHub executable installers, Microsoft Store, WinGet user or machine scope, plus community Chocolatey and Scoop methods.
- Command-line interfaces
- PowerToys.DSC.exe manages settings declaratively, and File Locksmith includes a dedicated CLI.
- Configuration management
- Desired State Configuration v3 supports per-module get, set, test, export, schema, and manifest operations.
- Enterprise controls
- Administrative Templates support configuring PowerToys through Group Policy.
- Implementation
- The supplied native runner and module entry points are C++; telemetry documentation also describes C# modules.
- Extension model
- PowerToys Run accepts manually installed third-party plugins, which Microsoft does not officially support.
- Telemetry
- Telemetry uses ETW, is opt-in by default, and documentation prohibits personal information, file paths, and user-generated content.
Read from README.md, src/runner/main.cpp, src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZones/main.cpp, src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLock/main.cpp, src/modules/GrabAndMove/GrabAndMove/main.cpp, src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTop/main.cpp, src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLauncher/main.cpp, src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithCLI/main.cpp, src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesSnapshotTool/main.cpp, src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesWindowArranger/main.cpp, src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEngine/main.cpp, doc/thirdPartyRunPlugins.md, doc/gpo/README.md, doc/dsc/overview.md, doc/devdocs/events.md.
What it can do
Pick colors from anywhere on screen
Screen coordinates or visual selection → Color values in hex, RGB, or other formats
Organize windows into custom zones
Open application windows → Windows arranged in predefined grid layouts
Batch rename multiple files with patterns
Selected files and renaming rules → Files with new names based on specified patterns
Resize images in bulk
Image files and target dimensions → Resized image files
Remap keyboard keys and create custom shortcuts
Keyboard key assignments and shortcut definitions → Modified keyboard behavior and custom key mappings
Extract text from images using OCR
Images or screenshots containing text → Editable text content
Measure distances and objects on screen
Screen areas to measure → Pixel measurements and dimensions
Keep computer awake and prevent sleep
User activation command → System stays active without going to sleep
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Editorially curated, with community endorsements as a secondary signal. Corrections welcome.