Projects / PowerToys

PowerToys

Desktop & Productivity

Microsoft-maintained Windows utilities for everyday operations, including window layouts, renaming, and keyboard tools.

Use with conditions
Last updatedRelease 2026-08-25
Open source licenseMIT
PlatformsWindows
DeploymentDesktop

About this project

PowerToys is a collection of Windows utilities for window management, quick actions, file operations, and customization. Individual tools work through different entry points, including keyboard shortcuts, File Explorer menus, and dedicated panels. Rather than following one document-centered workflow, users select utilities that address particular repetitive operations or adjustments within their existing desktop environment.

FancyZones defines window layouts, while Keyboard Manager remaps keys and shortcuts. Image Resizer adjusts images from File Explorer. PowerRename supports bulk search and replacement, regular expressions, and undo. Other tools include color picking, OCR text extraction, file previews, always-on-top windows, and Command Palette for locating commands, applications, and tools through a common interface.

The modules have different operating scopes. Workspaces launches applications into predefined positions; Mouse Without Borders shares input across computers. Hosts File Editor and Registry Preview work with system configuration. Advanced Paste explicitly labels its AI capability as optional, so using an external AI feature is not a prerequisite for using the entire utility collection.

Decision guide
01

Why it is worth a look

  • Manage common desktop tools through unified settings
  • Microsoft Store and official installer support
  • Enable individual tools as needed
02

Before you use it

  • Windows only; permissions and configuration requirements differ between tools
  • Test on a small scope before bulk renaming or remapping keys
  • Official documentation describes basic diagnostic telemetry
Manual setupLow
With an AI agentLow
DeploymentDesktop
Additional requirementsNot verified

Use a supported operating system; Have permission to install local applications; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.

03

What it can do

  • FancyZones window layouts
  • PowerRename bulk renaming
  • Keyboard Manager key mapping
  • Image Resizer image resizing
  • Color Picker color sampling
  • Peek file previews

Who it fits

Good for

Reducing repetitive Windows operations; Frequent work with windows, filenames, and shortcuts

Not a fit

Using macOS or Linux

Getting started

  1. Install the matching architecture from Microsoft Store or official releases
  2. Start with one or two tools and check shortcut conflicts
  3. Confirm preview results before bulk file changes