Windows users often admire some of the seamless and intuitive features of macOS. For example, macOS makes it easy to preview files, quickly resize images, and perform window management with elegant simplicity. Fortunately, Microsoft PowerToys allows Windows users to achieve many of these functionalities and more. In this detailed blog post, we’ll explore how PowerToys can transform your Windows experience by adding powerful features and customizations.

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What is PowerToys?

PowerToys is an open-source utility developed by Microsoft that adds a host of advanced features to Windows. It brings macOS-like functionality to Windows, improving productivity and making common tasks faster and more intuitive.

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How to Install PowerToys

1. Download PowerToys
   • The easiest way to download PowerToys is via the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, visit the PowerToys GitHub page and download the installer directly.
2. Install PowerToys
   • Once downloaded, open the installer, extract the files, and click Next through the prompts. After installation, PowerToys will run in the background, accessible from the taskbar.
3. Open PowerToys
   • Locate the PowerToys icon in your taskbar or start menu. Double-click to open the settings and explore the features available.

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Key Features of PowerToys

1. Always on Top

• What It Does: Keeps a selected window on top of all others.
• Shortcut: Press Windows + Ctrl + T to activate.
• Example: Pin a calculator app on top while working on a spreadsheet.
• How to Disable: Press the same shortcut again or close the app.

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2. Awake

• What It Does: Prevents your computer from going to sleep temporarily.
• Usage: Useful for long tasks like file transfers or video rendering.
• How to Enable:
  1. Right-click the PowerToys icon in the taskbar.
  2. Select Keep Awake Indefinitely.

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3. Color Picker

• What It Does: Lets you pick any color from your screen and copy its HEX code or RGB value.
• Shortcut: Windows + Shift + C.
• Customization:
  • Choose to directly copy the color to the clipboard without opening additional windows.

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4. FancyZones

• What It Does: Enhances window snapping with customizable layouts.
• How to Enable:
  1. Open PowerToys and go to the FancyZones settings.
  2. Enable FancyZones Editor to create custom layouts.
• Pro Tip: Use the secondary mouse button to quickly assign windows to zones.
• Customization: Adjust snap layouts to fit your monitor setup, such as creating zones for ultra-wide displays or dual monitors.

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5. Image Resizer

• What It Does: Resizes images in bulk directly from the context menu.
• How to Use:
  1. Right-click an image.
  2. Select Resize Pictures.
  3. Choose from preset sizes or create custom dimensions.
• Example: Resize high-resolution images to YouTube thumbnail size (1280×720) with a single click.

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6. Mouse Utilities

• What It Does: Highlights the mouse cursor or its clicks during screen recordings or presentations.
• Shortcut:
  • Press Ctrl twice to locate the mouse.
  • Use Windows + Shift + H to enable the click highlighter.
• Customization: Change the highlight color or size for better visibility.

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7. Paste as Plain Text

• What It Does: Pastes copied content without formatting.
• Shortcut: Windows + Ctrl + Alt + V.
• Example: Avoid messy formatting when pasting copied text into a Word document.

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8. Peek

• What It Does: Previews files without opening them, similar to macOS’s Quick Look feature.
• Shortcut: Ctrl + Space.
• Usage: Preview images, text files, and videos directly from the file explorer.

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Additional Features

• PowerRename: Bulk rename files with advanced search-and-replace functionality.
• Keyboard Manager: Customize keyboard shortcuts and remap keys.
• File Explorer Add-ons: Add file previews for Markdown, SVG, and other file types in the preview pane.

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Optimizing Windows for PowerToys

To get the most out of PowerToys, tweak some default Windows settings:

1. Adjust Snap Behavior:
   • Go to Settings > System > Multitasking.
   • Disable suggestions for snapping adjacent windows.
2. Enable FancyZones Layouts:
   • Customize layouts for your screen size and workflow needs.

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Conclusion

PowerToys is a must-have tool for Windows users looking to boost productivity and add powerful features to their system. Whether you want better window management, faster file previews, or advanced utilities like a color picker, PowerToys has something for everyone.

Download and install PowerToys today to unlock the full potential of your Windows experience.

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Tags: PowerToys, Windows productivity tools, macOS-like features for Windows, Windows tips and tricks, PowerToys tutorial, window management, file preview in Windows, color picker, FancyZones

Hashtags: #PowerToys #WindowsTools #WindowsTips #Productivity #WindowsCustomization #FancyZones #FilePreview #ColorPicker #Microsoft