Windows Power Toys.

FancyZones

FancyZones allows users to manage where and how each separate application window open on a Windows 10 desktop will display.

For example, you could use FancyZones to set up a Windows 10 desktop where Outlook always displays on the right-hand side of the desktop, Twitter or other social media always displays on the left-hand side of the desktop, and Word or Excel always displays in the middle between the other two. There would be three distinct and perpetual zones displayed at all times. Figure B shows how you select that configuration.

Figure B

Windows key Shortcut Guide

The Windows key Shortcut Guide will display all of the available keyboard shortcuts for the current Windows 10 desktop (Figure C). This PowerToy is activated by holding the Windows key down for the length of time specified in the tool's configuration settings. The default is 900ms. Now users won't have to remember all those Windows key-related shortcut combinations.

Figure C

PowerRename

The PowerRename Windows 10 PowerToy provides users with advanced tools for bulk renaming of file names. The toy extends the Windows Shell Context Menu to add an entry for PowerRename to File Explorer (Figure D). With PowerRename enabled, simple search and replace or more powerful regular expression matching to the bulk renaming process are added to your toolset. A preview area is displayed as you perform search and replace procedures so users can see how file names will change before initiating the action.

Figure D

Preview Pane add-ons for File Explorer

This Windows 10 PowerToy expands on the Preview Pane feature already available in the standard File Explorer application by adding additional file types. Preview Pane allows users to preview the contents of a file after clicking it in File Explorer without actually opening the file, as shown in Figure E. Version 0.16.0 adds preview support for Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg) and Markdown (.md) files. Additional file types are in development.

Figure E

Image Resizer

The Image Resizer Windows 10 PowerToy adds additional functionality to File Explorer by allowing users to apply bulk image resizing. Users select images in File Explorer and then select the new Resize pictures item on the context menu (Figure F), revealed with a right-click on any image.

Figure F

Windows Walker

The Windows Walker Windows 10 PowerToy is designed to be an alternative to the standard Alt-Tab feature of Windows 10. Users press the CTRL-Windows key combination instead of Alt-Tab to pull up a search box (Figure G). A user enters keywords into the search box to narrow down the currently open apps and screens on their desktop.

Figure G

PowerToys Run

PowerToys Run acts as a quick launcher in Windows 10. It is another extension of the ALT-Tab concept and taps into the Windows 10 file indexing system. To activate the tool, use the keyboard combination ALT-Space and start typing the name of your desired application, as shown in Figure H. PowerToys Run will search the system and start listing possible applications based on your search phrase. When the application you desire appears, click or tap to run.

Figure H

Keyboard Manager

The Keyboard Manager application in Windows 10 PowerToys is a simple keyboard re-mapper. Run the application from the PowerToys menu (Figure I) and either remap a single key on your keyboard or remap a shortcut keyboard combination. Whatever you remap will remain active as long as Keyboard Manager is enabled and PowerToys is running in the background.

Figure I

Color Picker

This utility allows you to identify any color on your screen by either its HEX or RGB code and then save that information to the Windows 10 clipboard for later use (Figure J). It is a simple but handy tool and it can save time and prevent frustration for developers and content creators working on color design.

Figure J

Video Conference Mute

Because of COVID-19 health and safety precautions, many of us are relying on video teleconferencing for work and school interactions and collaboration. The Video Conference Mute tool in Windows 10 PowerToys (Figure K) allows you to mute the audio and video on your PC with a single key combination. You may mute both audio and video at the same time or independently. The same key combination will toggle the audio and video back to the on position. The Video Conference Mute tool works regardless of what app you are using or what app is currently in the foreground.

Figure K