Sep 3, 2024 at 11:28 PM PowerToys launches version 0.84 with a new Workspaces tool for automating desktop layouts
Microsoft has released a significant update for Microsoft PowerToys, Version 0.84, for Windows 10 and 11. As we reported a few days ago, the major addition in this update is a new module called Workspaces, designed to automate desktop layout and application configuration management. With PowerToys Workspaces, users can save their current desktop environment and launch sets of pre-arranged applications with a single click, restoring them to their saved positions.
To create a workspace, users can access the editor through PowerToys Workspaces settings or the shortcut Win+Ctrl+`. In the editor, users can click "+ Create workspace" to arrange their applications and save the layout. The editor also allows users to name the workspace, adjust window sizes, add command-line arguments, remove apps, and create desktop shortcuts for quick access. Saved workspaces can be launched directly from the editor or through a desktop shortcut, which can also be pinned to the Windows taskbar.
PowerToys manages app positioning by launching each application and adjusting its window size and location according to the saved layout. Microsoft notes that different apps may behave differently during launch, especially if an instance of the app is already running. For more control over launch behavior, users are advised to use available command-line interface (CLI) arguments.
