No matter what number of options Microsoft crams into its working system, there’ll at all times be customers searching for a quicker, higher, or totally different approach of doing issues — one instance of Microsoft’s acknowledgment of this conduct is Microsoft PowerToys. This free obtain can handle software home windows, rename recordsdata in bulk, preview file contents, and extra.
This TechRepublic cheat sheet describes every obtainable device or function offered by Microsoft EnergyToys and describes what every system utility can do.
When was Microsoft EnergyToys first made obtainable?
This set of barely uncommon free Windows instruments has been part of the Windows working system panorama since Windows 95. That first set of 15 free utilities was revealed and endorsed by Microsoft and made obtainable without cost obtain. Their availability was noticeably absent for Windows 10 and Windows 11 — no less than till September 2019.
With the final launch of Microsoft Windows 11, builders now consult with this undertaking as Microsoft EnergyToys slightly than Windows 10 EnergyToys.
From the start, EnergyToys have been designed for “energy customers” who have been looking for methods to tweak how the working system capabilities. In some instances, inexperienced customers have been capable of make a careless change whereas utilizing a EnergyToys utility, which may wreak havoc inside the Windows working system; as such, novice customers have typically been inspired to make use of warning.
For essentially the most half, although, EnergyToys has allowed customers — whether or not they thought-about themselves energy customers or not — to extra simply make tweaks to the feel and appear of Windows and not using a deep dive into configuration screens or the dreaded and harmful edit of the Windows Registry file.
Even within the earliest iterations of EnergyToys, Microsoft supplied customers many beneficial functionalities. Windows 95 EnergyToys included:
- TweakUI was used for tweaking obscure Windows settings.
- CD Autoplay allowed all CDs to autoplay, not simply audio CDs.
- Command Prompt Here opened a command immediate within the present listing.
- Explore from Here opened File Explorer within the present listing.
- FlexiCD allowed customers to manage audio CDs from the Taskbar.
- Xmouse 1.2 allowed customers to vary window focus by shifting the mouse cursor, no click on wanted.
Through the years and varied Windows variations, particular person EnergyToys have come and gone. Each Windows model impressed a brand new set of instruments primarily based on what builders perceived was wanted to enhance and improve that model.
Why are Microsoft EnergyToys necessary?
Microsoft EnergyToys present instruments and options that may make customers of the Windows working system extra productive and, by extension, happier. Over the years, many customers have come to rely on a number of of those EnergyToys for his or her day by day pc productiveness. For many energy customers, EnergyToys enhance their high quality of labor and life.
SEE: Secure Windows 11 programs with this guidelines from TechRepublic Premium.
Beyond making customers extra productive, EnergyToys have additionally offered a glimpse into what options and instruments may and may grow to be an integral a part of the Windows working system sooner or later. Many of those once-separate instruments have grow to be simply one other a part of the working system throughout its subsequent iteration.
How can I get Microsoft EnergyToys?
Traditionally, every of the Microsoft EnergyToys has been supplied as a separate executable file, obtainable as a free obtain from a particular Microsoft web site.
For Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft has taken a barely totally different strategy. All Windows 10 and Windows 11 EnergyToys at the moment are included as a part of a free downloadable system that customers can configure.
The latest model of Microsoft PowerToys is v0.85.0, obtainable on GitHub now. Release 0.85.0 added a brand new utility, New+, detailed under. The EnergyToys group mounted some points and added options for model 0.85.0, together with:
- Select which language the EnergyToys utilities UI shows in.
- More supported functions have been added to Workspaces.
- Cut down on the quantity of reminiscence Peek makes use of.
See the release page for the entire listing of adjustments.
These EnergyToys are at present obtainable:
- Always On Top.
- Awake.
- Color Picker.
- Command Not Found.
- Crop and Lock.
- Environment Variables.
- FancyZones.
- Preview pane and thumbnail rendering for File Explorer.
- File Locksmith.
- Hosts File Editor.
- Image Resizer.
- Keyboard Manager.
- Mouse utilities.
- Mouse Without Borders.
- New+.
- Advanced Paste.
- Peek.
- PowerRename.
- EnergyToys Run.
- EnergyToys Workspaces.
- Quick Accent.
- Registry Preview.
- Screen Ruler.
- Shortcut Guide.
- Text Extractor.
- Video Conference Mute.
SEE: All of TechRepublic’s cheat sheets and good individual’s guides
What can Microsoft EnergyToys do?
Here is a listing of obtainable Microsoft EnergyToys with a quick description of what every toy does.
FancyZones
FancyZones permits customers to handle the place and the way every software window that’s open on a Windows desktop will show.
SEE: Windows 11 brings the Copilot AI assistant together with it. (TechRepublic)
For instance, you might use FancyZones to arrange a Windows 10 desktop the place Outlook at all times shows on the right-hand facet of the desktop, Twitter or different social media at all times shows on the left-hand facet of the desktop, and Word or Excel at all times shows within the center between the opposite two. There can be three distinct and perpetual zones displayed always.
Windows key Shortcut Guide
The Windows key Shortcut Guide shows the entire obtainable keyboard shortcuts for the present Windows desktop. This EnergyToy is activated by holding the Windows key down for the size of time specified within the device’s configuration settings. The default is 900ms.
With this function, customers don’t have to recollect so many Windows key-related shortcut combos.
PowerRename
The PowerRename Windows PowerToy gives customers with superior instruments for bulk renaming of recordsdata. The toy extends the Windows Shell Context Menu so as to add an entry for PowerRename to File Explorer.
With PowerRename enabled, easy search and substitute or extra highly effective common expression matching are added to your toolset for the majority renaming course of. A preview space is displayed as you carry out search and substitute procedures, so you may see how file names will change earlier than initiating the motion.
SEE: How to batch rename recordsdata in Windows 10 with the EnergyToys PowerRename device
Preview Pane add-ons for File Explorer
This Windows EnergyToy expands on the Preview Pane function already obtainable in the usual File Explorer software by including further file sorts. Preview Pane add-ons for File Explorer enable customers to preview the contents of a file after clicking it in File Explorer with out truly opening the file.
Version 0.16.0 provides preview help for Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg) and Markdown (.md) recordsdata. Subsequent EnergyToys releases have added extra file sorts, together with supply code recordsdata and geometric code.
Image Resizer
The Image Resizer Windows PowerToy provides extra performance to File Explorer by permitting customers to use bulk picture resizing. Users can choose photos in File Explorer after which choose the brand new Resize Pictures merchandise on the context menu, revealed with a right-click on any picture.
Window Walker
The Window Walker Windows PowerToy is designed to be a substitute for the usual Alt-Tab function in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Users press the CTRL-Windows key mixture as an alternative of Alt-Tab to drag up a search field. Users then enter key phrases into the search field to slender down the at present open apps and screens on their desktop.
SEE: How to search out open apps with the Window Walker device in Windows 10 EnergyToys
EnergyToys Run
PowerToys Run acts as a fast launcher on Windows. It is one other extension of the ALT-Tab idea and faucets into the Windows file indexing system. To activate the device, use the keyboard mixture ALT-Space and begin typing the identify of your required software.
EnergyToys Run will search the system and begin itemizing potential functions primarily based in your search phrase. When the applying you need seems, click on or faucet to run.
SEE: How to make use of Windows 10 EnergyToys Run to open functions, folders, and recordsdata
EnergyToys Workspaces
PowerToys Workspaces permits customers to launch a number of functions into preset window configurations on the identical time. For instance, it could actually mechanically place Visual Studio Code subsequent to a browser to avoid wasting time when organising each functions. Workspaces configurations might be arrange in a number of methods: from Workspaces Editor or from a desktop shortcut. Doing so within the Workspaces Editor permits for some further customizations, equivalent to mechanically making use of “launch as admin” modifiers.
Keyboard Manager
The Keyboard Manager application in Microsoft PowerToys is a straightforward keyboard remapper. Run the applying from the EnergyToys menu and both remap a single key in your keyboard or remap a shortcut keyboard mixture. Whatever you remap will stay energetic so long as Keyboard Manager is enabled and EnergyToys is operating within the background.
Color Picker
Color Picker was contributed to the Microsoft EnergyToys undertaking by Martin Chrzan. The utility means that you can determine any colour in your display screen by both its HEX or RGB code after which save that data to the Windows clipboard for later use. It is a straightforward device, however it could actually save time and stop frustration for builders and content material creators engaged on colour design.
Video Conference Mute
As plenty of organizations shifted to distant work buildings through the COVID-19 pandemic, many people now depend on video teleconferencing for work and college interactions and collaboration. The Video Conference Mute tool in Microsoft PowerToys means that you can mute the audio and video in your PC with a single key mixture.
You might mute each audio and video on the identical time or independently. The identical key mixture will toggle the audio and video again to the on place. The Video Conference Mute device works no matter what app you’re utilizing or what app is at present within the foreground.
Awake
The Microsoft PowerToys tool Awake was contributed to the EnergyToys undertaking by the group, with attribution given to Den Delimarsky. Awake permits customers to maintain their pc awake on-demand with out having to handle its energy settings.
Mouse utilities
Mouse utilities have been contributed to the Microsoft EnergyToys undertaking by Raymond Chen. Mouse utilities embody a group of options that improve the mouse and cursor performance on Windows programs.
With two consecutive presses of the Left CTRL key, Find My Mouse will find your mouse cursor and spotlight its present place with a halo. Pressing the Esc key will dismiss the spotlight. The Find My Mouse function is beneficial for shows on giant shows if you need to draw the viewers’s consideration to a particular space of the display screen.
Always on Top
Always on Top permits customers to designate the applying window at present in focus as “at all times on high” with a keyboard shortcut toggle.
Regardless of what instructions, mouse clicks or different inputs are created from that time on, the designated window will stay on the forefront, superseding some other open home windows till Always on Top is toggled off. The default keyboard shortcut for the Always on Top toggle is Windows Key + CTRL + T.
Screen Ruler
The Microsoft PowerToys utility Screen Ruler is a fast and straightforward approach to measure the pixels represented in your show display screen. The device is ideal for figuring out the pixel dimension of a possible display screen seize or for lining up objects in a doc.
Quick Accent
Quick Accent is another approach to kind accented characters, which is beneficial for when a keyboard doesn’t help that particular accent with a fast key combo. Use this utility to create accented characters, particularly for writing in languages aside from English.
Text Extractor
The Microsoft EnergyToys utility Text Extractor is a handy approach to copy textual content from anyplace in your display screen. This code relies on Joe Finney’s Text Grab. Text Extractor makes use of optical character recognition to learn the textual content on the display screen, so it could require enhancing or proofreading.
File Locksmith
The Microsoft EnergyToys utility File Locksmith is a Windows shell extension for checking what recordsdata are in use and by which processes. After putting in, right-click on a number of chosen recordsdata in File Explorer, after which choose “What’s utilizing this file?” from the context menu.
Hosts File Editor
The Window EnergyToys utility Hosts File Editor is a fast and easy utility for enhancing a neighborhood hosts file. Note that the applying will solely work if a hosts file exists.
Mouse Jump
The Microsoft EnergyToys utility Mouse Jump is a brand new function for the prevailing set of mouse utilities. Mouse Jump means that you can immediately transfer the mouse pointer nice distances on the identical display screen and even leap from one display screen to a different, if you want.
Advanced Paste
The Microsoft Windows EnergyToys utility Advanced Paste is a keyboard mixture shortcut that permits customers to stick formatted clipboard contents as plain, unformatted textual content by both utilizing the brand new UX or a direct keystroke invoke. Using this device may even substitute the formatted textual content with plain textual content within the clipboard, so customers can at all times paste as textual content.
A earlier model of Advanced Paste was often known as Paste as Text.
In Release 0.81.0, Advanced Paste obtained an opt-in AI assistant that may analyze and format the textual content in your clipboard. For instance, it may generate code, translate textual content into one other language, rewrite the textual content in a unique fashion or summarize the textual content earlier than pasting. This function requires an OpenAI API key with a credit score stability.
Registry Preview
EnergyToys Registry Preview, launched in Version 0.69.0, is designed to simplify the method of visualizing and enhancing Windows Registry recordsdata. The utility app additionally means that you can write registry adjustments on to the Windows Registry file with out utilizing the usual Regedit app that comes constructed into the Windows working system.
Mouse Without Borders
EnergyToys Mouse Without Borders, launched in Version 0.70.0, offers customers the flexibility to work together with different computer systems utilizing the identical keyboard and mouse they’re utilizing for his or her present PC. With Mouse Without Borders, customers can even share clipboards and recordsdata between the machines. Control of the opposite computer systems is granted utilizing an encryption key.
New+
New+, launched in model 0.85.0, lets customers create templates that may be deployed to rapidly create new recordsdata and folders in most popular configurations. It resides inside a File Explorer context menu. Templates comply with from one system to a different if the template location is about to a folder synced with a cloud drive. Users can choose whether or not or not they need filename extensions to be proven within the template.
Peek
Peek, launched in Version 0.70.0, permits customers to see a fast preview of recordsdata they choose in File Explorer after they press a specified keyboard shortcut. The keyboard shortcut might be modified to a person’s choice.
Crop And Lock
EnergyToys Crop And Lock, launched in Version 0.73.0, permits customers to crop a present software right into a smaller window or create a thumbnail. The utility means that you can focus consideration on a particular part of an software window with out shutting down the applying’s operating capabilities. Essentially, from the applying’s perspective, the window is regular, however from the person’s perspective, the window is smaller or thumbnail dimension.
Environment Variables
EnergyToys Environment Variables, launched in Version 0.75.0, permits customers so as to add, change and apply profiles, person data and Windows system setting variables. The device is especially helpful for software program engineers, programmers and different IT professionals when testing and iterating functions, platforms and programs through the improvement course of.
Are extra Microsoft EnergyToys coming quickly?
New Microsoft EnergyToys are periodically added to the Windows library to handle new person expectations and necessities. As new EnergyToys are launched, this listing of obtainable instruments can be up to date to replicate that enlargement.
Does Microsoft EnergyToys affect efficiency?
EnergyToys can affect efficiency. In normal, the quantity of RAM required by EnergyToys apps is important sufficient that it’s best to activate solely the instruments you’re truly utilizing. If you establish an app is just not one thing you employ frequently, it could be advantageous to set it to the “off” place; you may at all times flip it on once more if you want it.
The quantity of RAM Microsoft EnergyToys makes use of is solely depending on what number of instruments and apps you’ve gotten determined to run within the background. The EnergyToys Settings app, which runs within the background and might be accessed from the Windows 11 system tray, requires about 104 MB of RAM. Each further operating app requires extra RAM to help it, which you’ll gauge for your self in Windows Task Manager.
