Microsoft PowerToys icon
Microsoft PowerToys icon

Microsoft PowerToys

 229 likes

Open-source utilities for Windows include FancyZones for window management, PowerRename for bulk renaming, and Keyboard Manager for custom shortcuts. Ad-free, supports multi-monitor setups, no registration needed, lightweight resource usage, and works offline.

Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 1

License model

  • Free • Open Source

Application types

Country of Origin

  • US flagUnited States

Platforms

  • Windows
Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 1
Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 2
+4
Microsoft PowerToys screenshot 3
Alternatives  
4.2 / 5 Avg rating (30)
229likes
17comments
58alternatives
17news articles

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  File Search
  2.  Key Mapping
  3.  Tiling Window Manager
  4.  Color Picker
  5.  SVG Preview
  6. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
  7.  Application Launchers
  8.  Batch Rename Files
  9.  On top
  10.  Snap windows
  11.  Works Offline
  12.  OCR
  13.  Ad-free
  14.  No registration required
  15.  Snapping
  16.  Support for Multiple Monitors
  17.  Dark Mode
  18.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

 Tags

Microsoft PowerToys News & Activities

Highlights All activities

Recent News

Show more news

Recent activities

Show all activities

Comments and Reviews

   
 Post comment/review
Comment summary: Microsoft PowerToys has been well-received for adding powerful, customizable features to Windows, with particular praise for modules like FancyZones and PowerRename. However, there are concerns about its resource usage, occasional issues with multi-monitor setups, and a lack of support for some Windows 10 versions. While some users find it intuitive and useful, others point out crashes, startup behavior without permission, and needing improvement in comparison to similar tools.
Top Positive Comment
NejyCR
★
★
★
★
★
Jan 19, 2023
2

I feel like I'm late to the game with PowerToys, but I also feel like Microsoft did the same.

I've been using QTTabBar for file previews, ShareX for OCR, and a few other programs that I won't replace with PowerToys version.

The features that I use and enjoy are pin to top, ability to measure pixel dimensions, power run, and fancy zones.

Top Negative Comment
K0RR
★
★
★
★
★
Mar 14, 2024
2

Crashes whenever I try to use it. It has been like that for a few months. Says update is available but when I check in MS Store it says I have the latest version.

undeniably_lizard
★
★
★
★
★
Dec 30, 2024
0

Fantastic open-source and community led project that makes Windows actually usable. Should absolutely be added to Windows by default, but it is a great software nonetheless.

JimLegal
★
★
★
★
★
Oct 6, 2024
0

Low quality, heavy on resources. I use it only for mouse w/o borders which dont let me run it as standalone.

TBayAreaPat
★
★
★
★
★
Aug 27, 2024
0

Puts itself in startup w/o asking. Heavy program. To use as a window manager, enable Fancy Zones, choose layout, drag window holding Shift and `(3 keys above shift). I prefer a different program FancyWM

Shaz Shah
★
★
★
★
★
May 31, 2024
0

I like it for its playground of modules to extend Windows functionality. I am a fan of the FancyZones, Image Resizer and PowerRename. I want to like Quick Accent, but it sometimes gets stuck open, and then Find My Mouse can disturb your gaming experience.

GhostGirls
★
★
★
★
★
Dec 7, 2023
0

Powertoy do not support 1903 OS Core before. So you can not block some hotkey for your want.

Show more comments
7 of 17 comments

What is Microsoft PowerToys?

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users aimed at enhancing Windows productivity. The available utilities include:

  • PowerToys - Always on Top icon PowerToys - Always on Top: Pin windows above others with a quick key shortcut (Win+Ctrl).
  • PowerToys - Awake icon PowerToys - Awake: Keeps your computer awake during tasks.
  • PowerToys - Color Picker icon PowerToys - Color Picker: System-wide color picking with Win+Shift+C.
  • Crop And Lock: Create window crops or thumbnails.
  • FancyZones: Manage window layouts and positions.
  • File Explorer Add-ons: Enable Preview pane and thumbnail rendering.
  • File Locksmith: Check file usage in File Explorer.
  • Hosts File Editor: Edit the 'Hosts' file for IP addresses.
  • Image Resizer: Resize images with a right-click.
  • Keyboard Manager: Customize keyboard mappings and shortcuts.
  • Mouse Utilities: Enhance mouse functionality.
  • Mouse Without Borders: Control multiple computers from one keyboard and mouse.
  • Paste as Plain Text: Paste clipboard text without formatting.
  • Peek: Preview file content with a shortcut (Ctrl+Space).
  • PowerRename: Bulk renaming, searching, and replacing of file names.
  • Quick Accent: Type accented characters with a quick key combo.
  • Registry Preview: Visualize and edit Windows Registry files.
  • PowerToys Run: Search and launch apps instantly with Alt+Space.
  • Screen Ruler: Measure pixels on-screen with Win+Shift+M.
  • Shortcut Guide: Displays available shortcuts with Win+Shift+/.
  • Text Extractor: Copy text from anywhere with Win+Shift+T.
  • Video Conference Mute: Globally mute microphone and camera with Win+Shift+Q during a conference call.
  • PowerToys - Environment Variables icon PowerToys - Environment Variables: It allows you to create profiles for managing a set of variables together.

Official Links

AppStores & Other Links

Download from Microsoft Store

Social Networks

Microsoft PowerToys information

AlternativeTo Categories

OS & Utilities, File Management, Photos & Graphics, Office & Productivity, System & Hardware

GitHub repository

  •  120,063 Stars
  •  7,100 Forks
  •  6761 Open Issues
  •   Updated Jun 19, 2025 
View on GitHub

Popular alternatives

View all

Our users have written 17 comments and reviews about Microsoft PowerToys, and it has gotten 229 likes

Microsoft PowerToys was added to AlternativeTo by l3x0r on Mar 29, 2010 and this page was last updated Feb 13, 2025. Microsoft PowerToys is sometimes referred to as PowerToys.