Command Palette

When I first experienced macOS, one of the standout features was Spotlight, which enabled me to search for nearly anything from any location on the system. Microsoft drew inspiration from this functionality and introduced a similar tool known as Command Palette, accessible through PowerToys.

By default, you can open the Command Palette by pressing Win Alt Space. It's worth noting that the shortcut keys for Command Palette and other PowerToys tools mentioned below can be customized via the PowerToys Settings window.

With Command Palette, you can search for files and applications, perform basic mathematical operations, and execute web searches. Additionally, it supports command execution. For example, to launch Command Prompt using this tool, simply type >cmd and press Enter.

Always On Top

Among the many tools in Microsoft PowerToys, the Always on Top feature is one I frequently rely on when conducting research for my articles. Activating it requires the Win Ctrl T keyboard combination, allowing you to keep the active window on top of all others.

For instance, if you're reviewing a research document and need to record key points into Notepad, you can use the Always on Top function to pin Notepad above other windows. This eliminates the need to repeatedly switch to Notepad from the taskbar.

Once your work is complete, you can deactivate the pinned window with the same shortcut used to enable it. However, please note that this feature won't function while Game Mode is active during gameplay.

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If there's a set of applications you habitually open after booting up your Windows PC, then the Workspaces feature in PowerToys will prove extremely useful. Imagine needing to start five specific apps every time you power on your computer; instead of launching them individually each time, you can create a workspace containing these apps. Then, simply activate the workspace to start them all simultaneously. Let’s clarify this with an example.

Begin by pressing Win Ctrl ’ to bring up the Workspaces interface. Click on "Create Workspace" located at the top-right corner to access the Snapshot Creator dialog box. Next, open all the applications you usually start upon system boot, arranging their positions and window sizes accordingly.

Once completed, click the "Capture" button.

In the Workspace Editor window, you'll see a list of captured applications. To remove an app, simply click the "Remove" button next to its entry.

If you need to run any of these programs with administrative privileges, click the arrow beside the app and select the "Launch As Admin" option.

Don’t forget to tick the “Create Desktop Shortcut” checkbox. After making adjustments, give your workspace a custom name (optional), and click "Save Workspace".

The next time you start your computer, double-click the workspace shortcut on your desktop to launch all included applications automatically. Alternatively, you can reopen the Workspaces window using Win Ctrl ’, then click the Launch button next to your saved workspace.

Image Resizer

As the name implies, Image Resizer enables you to adjust the size of images. To utilize this utility, right-click an image file and choose "Resize With Image Resizer".

Click the drop-down menu and select your desired resizing dimension—options include small, medium, large, and phone sizes. A custom option is also available for precise dimensions.

I strongly suggest unchecking the “Ignore the Orientation of Pictures” option since enabling it may distort the image’s orientation. Finally, hit the resize button.

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The Text Extractor in Microsoft PowerToys allows you to extract text from any area of your screen—even from the Windows Start menu.

To activate Text Extractor, press Win Shift T, then highlight the text you wish to extract. Navigate to where you want to paste the content and press Ctrl V to insert it.

Although I regularly use this feature, Microsoft might phase it out soon since they've integrated a similar capability into the Snipping Tool. To try the Snipping Tool's extraction function, press Win Shift S and pick the "Text Extractor" option.

Select the desired text and click "Copy All text," copying it to the clipboard for later pasting.

Find My Mouse

There are times when my mouse pointer disappears, especially on bright or white backgrounds. During such moments, I rely on PowerToys' Find My Mouse function to locate it. Activate this by tapping the left Control key twice—the cursor will be highlighted on-screen.

Shortcut Guide

Windows 11 offers numerous keyboard shortcuts involving the Windows key, though memorizing them all can be challenging. To view all available shortcuts on your Windows 11 machine, use the Shortcut Guide within PowerToys. Simply press Win Shift / together.

Color Picker

If your work involves frequent image editing, you know how crucial it is to identify exact color values from reference images or artwork. With the Color Picker tool, this becomes effortless.

Activate Color Picker by pressing Win Shift C. Move the cursor over the desired point on the screen, and the tool will display the exact color code beside the cursor. Press Escape to exit the tool.

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These represent some of the PowerToys tools I regularly integrate into my daily workflow. As previously noted, new functionalities are continuously added to the suite, ensuring there's always something fresh to explore. Access Microsoft PowerToys and navigate to the Dashboard section on the left-hand side. Within the Dashboard, you’ll find a comprehensive list of all available PowerToys features—both active and inactive. Toggle any disabled modules to begin using them.

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