Microsoft PowerToys is a free set of utilities for anyone who wants more from Windows. Snapping windows into custom zones, copying text from an image, renaming hundreds of files at once or picking a colour off your screen: it's all in there. This article shows how to install PowerToys and which tools are most worthwhile.
Install PowerToys
- With winget: open Terminal and type winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys --source winget.
- From the Microsoft Store: search for PowerToys and select Install.
- From GitHub: download the installer from Microsoft's PowerToys releases page.
After installation PowerToys sits in the system tray. Double-click it to open settings and turn each tool on or off.
The most useful tools
| Tool | What it does | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Command Palette | Find and launch apps, files and commands (successor to PowerToys Run) | Windows + Alt + Space |
| FancyZones | Create your own window zone layouts | Hold Shift while dragging |
| Text Extractor | Copy text from an image or video on screen | Windows + Shift + T |
| Color Picker | Get the colour code of any point on screen | Windows + Shift + C |
| Always On Top | Keep a window above all others | Windows + Ctrl + T |
| PowerRename | Rename many files at once, including with regular expressions | Right-click in File Explorer |
| Image Resizer | Resize photos in one go | Right-click in File Explorer |
| Peek | Quickly preview a file | Ctrl + Space |
| Awake | Keep your PC awake temporarily | From the system tray |
| Keyboard Manager | Remap keys and shortcuts | From settings |
You can change each tool's shortcut in settings.
Tips
- Only enable the tools you use. That keeps memory use low and avoids clashing shortcuts.
- FancyZones works alongside the built-in Snap layouts in Windows 11.
- PowerToys updates itself. You'll see a notification in the system tray when a new version is out.
- On a work laptop, IT can deploy PowerToys through Intune and disable tools with Group Policy.
More Windows tips: clipboard history and the classic right-click menu.
Nederlandstalige versie: PowerToys installeren in Windows 11: de nuttigste tools
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