Microsoft PowerToys is definitely the most powerful and underrated tool that Windows 10 and 11 users have access to. We are power users ourselves, and we get how great PowerToys is— thus, this guide we wrote to help you get the most out of your Windows PC is our idea.
Be it a developer, designer, student, or business professional, PowerToys gives unmatchable productivity and customization improvements that can make daily computing faster, smarter, and more efficient. Here we go: 10 best PowerToys tools that every Windows user should try immediately, plus expert tips on getting the most out of them.
📌 What is Microsoft PowerToys?
Microsoft PowerToys is a no-charge, open-source set of utilities that Microsoft created to improve the Windows operating system with advanced features and customization options. PowerToys, which is accessible on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, is perfect for those users who require more control, better workflows, and increased productivity.
PowerToys allows you to extend the possibilities beyond the stock Windows features through features such as custom keyboard shortcuts and window-snapping layouts.
🧰 Top 10 PowerToys Utilities You Must Start Using Today
1. 🎯 FancyZones—Custom Window Manager
Why Use It: Quickly and easily switch between multiple windows that are distributed across different monitors with the use of custom grid layouts.
Key Features:
- Make drag-and-drop zones to sort app windows.
- Save and restore window layouts.
- Great for multi-monitor setups.
- Minimize clutter and get more out of your screen.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of FancyZones alongside your ultra-wide monitors to make window snapping a thing of the past.
2. 📌 Always On Top—Keep Important Windows Visible
What For: Make any application window so that it stays on top, no matter what you do.
Main Points:
- Press Win + Ctrl + T to switch pinning on or off.
- Enables the use of the excluded apps list so you will not pin an app accidentally.
- Great for monitoring tools, calculators, or video tutorials.
Pro Tip: Combine with Peek or Text Extractor for multitasking without losing focus.
3. 🧩 File Explorer Add-Ons—Extended File Previews
Why Use It: Just by utilizing the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer, you can extend the number of file formats that are accessible to you for reviewing.
Key Features:
- Read PDFs, Markdown, SVGs, and source code files.
- Switch on/off for each format.
- Don’t need to install other preview tools.
Pro Tip: Use Alt + P to quickly open the Preview Pane in File Explorer.
4. 🖼️ Image Resizer—Resize Multiple Images in Seconds
Why Use It: Get images of your desired size from the context menu of a mouse right-click without sending the pictures anywhere else.
Key Features:
- Batch resize support.
- Predefined size presets.
- Custom quality and encoding settings.
Pro Tip: Ideal for preparing images for social media, email, or web uploads.
5. ✏️ PowerRename—Bulk File Renaming Tool
Why Use It: Rename masses of files without losing your mind by automating with rules fitted to your personal style.
Key Features:
- RegEx support for advanced renaming.
- Preview changes before applying.
- Search & replace logic for filenames.
Pro Tip: Use it to clean up messy file collections like music libraries or camera imports.
6. ⌨️ Keyboard Manager – Key Remapping & Shortcut Customization
Why Use It: Change any key or shortcut to create your own keyboard setup.
Key Features:
- Reassign broken or unused keys.
- Map multi-key shortcuts.
- App-specific remapping.
Pro tip: Change Caps Lock to something that can be used more often, like Esc or a copy-paste snippet that you use frequently.
7. 👁️ Peek—Quick File Previews Without Opening
Why Use It: See the content of a file immediately without opening any program.
Key Features:
- Press Ctrl + Space to get quick previews.
- Compatible with text, code, and media files.
- Optional top-pin view for persistent previews.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of Peek when you need to get through code quicker or to scan documents that come in suddenly.
8. 🔍 PowerToys Run—Spotlight-Style Launcher for Windows
Why Use It: Use one shortcut to open programs, find files, and execute commands.
Key Features:
- Press Alt + Space to use the app.
- Do calculations, search for files, and run commands from plugins.
- It is very easy to extend with third-party plugins.
Pro Tip: Install ChatGPT, Spotify, and SSH plugins to go for a real race car effect in your search.
9. 🧠 Shortcut Guide – Windows Keyboard Shortcut Overlay
Why Use It: Find out and use all the shortcuts of Windows without memorizing them.
Key Features:
- Press and hold the Windows key to get a shortcut overlay.
- Perfect for both Windows newbies and power users.
- You can customize the look and feel.
Pro Tip: Change the overlay timeout and style so you can better feel its presence.
10. 📋 Text Extractor—OCR Text from Any Image or Video
Why Use It: Take the words from pictures, videos, or any part of your screen.
Key Features:
- Activate OCR with Win + Shift + T.
- Text is auto-copied to the clipboard.
- Great tool for pulling serial numbers, subtitles, or small parts of a document.
Pro Tip: Use it together with Peek or Always On Top to get the text from a pinned video or reference material.
💡 Bonus Tools Worth Exploring
Once you’ve got your head around the essential PowerToys tools, you should also consider some extra utilities:
- 🖥️ Workspaces—Remember and retrieve your app layouts.
- 🧩 Advanced Paste—Paste formatted text without the fuss.
- 🧮 Registry Preview—A more secure way to check .reg files.
- ❓ Command Not Found—It gives you the right terminal commands.
- 🔐 Environment Variables Editor—More sophisticated management of system variables.
📥 How to Install Microsoft PowerToys
- Go to the PowerToys GitHub page.
- Get the most recent .exe installer for Windows.
- Complete the installation process and launch PowerToys from the Start menu.
- Access the left sidebar of the PowerToys Settings panel to browse each utility.
Pro Tip: PowerToys is updated a lot. Keep auto-updates on to get the latest features and bug fixes.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Microsoft PowerToys takes your Windows PC to a whole new level by turning it from a simple workspace to a high-performance productivity machine. If you are a developer managing multiple windows, or a content creator working with images, or just someone who loves optimizing workflows, PowerToys delivers real, tangible benefits.
By using these 10 essential tools, you will not only save time but also increase your effectiveness and completely control your desktop environment. The best part? It’s absolutely free and supported by Microsoft’s developer community.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Is PowerToys safe to use?
Definitely. PowerToys is an open-source project that is developed and maintained by Microsoft. It is secure and reliable, and millions of people trust it.
❓ Does PowerToys work on Windows 11?
Sure. PowerToys is designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11 and is always updated to be compatible with the latest features.
❓ Can I use PowerToys on older hardware?
Absolutely. PowerToys is not resource-intensive and therefore can run smoothly even on moderately powerful or obsolete devices.