How to Set Up and Utilize PowerToys on Windows 11
Learn the best ways to install programs and explore Microsoft PowerToys' practical features to improve your Windows experience.
Microsoft PowerToys are a collection of helpful open-source add-ons made to give Windows users access to sophisticated functionality and customization to improve their experience.
With Microsoft PowerToys, you can customize the operating system to suit your needs and increase user productivity by streamlining simple but repetitive daily chores.
Microsoft PowerToys are currently available in the following languages: Chinese (traditional and simplified), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
You have come to the correct spot if you are interested in learning more about this useful function. The many methods for installing Microsoft PowerToys on Windows 11 operating systems are explained in this post.
Best PC Installation Methods for PowerToys
This is how to install PowerToys on a Windows computer.
1. Open the Microsoft Store and install Microsoft PowerToys.
Use the instructions below to install Microsoft PowerToys straight from the Microsoft Store:
Pressing the Windows key will bring up the Start menu. In the search bar, enter Microsoft Store, then select the pertinent result that appears below.
In the Microsoft Store's search field, type "PowerToys," then select the PowerToys software that appears in the result section.
Next, to begin the Microsoft PowerToys installation procedure, select the Install button on the left side.
2. Download and install Microsoft PowerToys using the GitHub link.
If you are among those customers who would rather not install Microsoft PowerToys through the Microsoft Store, you can complete the installation procedure by going to the GitHub website. The steps listed below should be followed in order to install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store.
Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the PowerToys GitHub download page.
Double-click the most recent installation file that is compatible with the architecture of your machine after swiping down to the Assets section.
Double-click the file to begin the step-by-step installation process after the download is finished. Select the utilities you want to install, then carry out the setup procedure.
And that is it! You may now utilize the Microsoft PowerToys software without any issues.
3. Use the Command Prompt to install Microsoft PowerToys.
It is interesting to note that there is also a way to install Microsoft PowerToys utilizing the Command Prompt interface and the Command User Interface. The full instructions for utilizing the Command Prompt window to install Microsoft PowerToys are as follows:
Pressing the Windows key will bring up the Start menu. In the search box, type cmd, then select Run as administrator from the list of options underneath.
When the User Access Control prompt appears on the screen, click Yes. To execute the command, type the following in the command prompt window and hit Enter.
winget install –id Microsoft.PowerToys
Next, enter YES in the command prompt window to accept the terms of the agreement when presented.
4. Use Windows PowerShell to install Microsoft PowerToys.
Using the Windows PowerShell command prompt is an additional method for installing Microsoft PowerToys. The steps involved in accomplishing this are outlined below:
Use the shortcut Windows + S to open the Windows search bar. In the search window, type PowerShell, and then choose Run as administrator.
To start the installation, copy and paste the following command into Windows PowerShell and hit Enter.
winget install Microsoft.PowerToys –source winget
The User Action Control popup will appear as soon as you complete the action. Once you click the Yes button, you can proceed.
How can I utilize Windows 11's PowerToys?
Now that PowerToys is installed on your Windows 11 computer, let us explore all that it has to offer. To do this, use the Start menu to search for Microsoft PowerToys.
Then, select the appropriate search result to start the program.
There are several different tools available in this software when the user interface appears.
Let us examine each of them individually:
Microsoft PowerToys utility list
Here are a few noteworthy Microsoft PowerToys utilities:
Advanced Paste
You can copy the content and then paste it using the Advanced Paste tool in the format of your choosing from
Always On Top
By using the Win+Ctrl+T key, you may quickly pin an app window above the windows of other apps by using this utility.
PowerToys Awake
You can keep the system awake using PowerToys Awake without changing the power and sleep settings. This is helpful if you need to keep the display on while working on laborious chores.
Color Picker
With Color Picker, a system-wide color picker, you can use the Win+Shift+C shortcut key to select any color that is visible on the screen. The selected color can be seen on the clipboard, and the list of previously selected colors can also be viewed.
Command Not Found
This utility not only suggests the WinGet package to fix the error, but it also shows the error that occurs when a command is executed.
FancyZones
With FancyZones, you can construct complicated window layouts more easily and arrange windows in a more organized way.
File Explorer add-ons
You may add the Preview pane and thumbnail view for various file types to the File Explorer with the help of these add-ons.
Image Resizer
Another Windows Shell add-on that facilitates picture scaling in File Explorer with a simple right-click is picture Resizer.
Keyboard Manager
You may increase productivity by remapping the keyboard keys and creating custom keyboard shortcuts with Keyboard Manager.
Peek
With Peek, you may preview the contents of a file without having to transition between different applications by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Space.
Quick Accent
To create accented characters that are impossible to enter using the keyboard or other key combinations, use Quick Accent.
Screen Ruler
The image edge detection method is used by the Screen Ruler tool to measure the screen pixels. Activating this utility is as simple as pressing the Win+Shift+M shortcut.
Text Extractor