Microsoft’s PowerToys was once one of the most popular and useful suites of tools to enhance the experience of the Windows operating system. The PowerToys were mostly used on Windows 95 to improve the features of Windows beyond the default lineup offered by the software giant.
Microsoft has now open-sourced PowerToys and independent developers are welcome to contribute to the development of the utility suite. Microsoft is also working on a Windows 10 version of PowerToys that would be released sometime this summer.
“Inspired by the Windows 95 era PowerToys project, this reboot provides power users with ways to squeeze more efficiency out of the Windows 10 shell and customize it for individual workflows,” Microsoft says.
The modern PowerToys app will initially come with multiple features, including the ability to display the Windows key shortcut guide. When the user will press and hold Windows key, the keyboard shortcut would show up on the screen. This will help users discover the best shortcuts and thus make the most of the updated keyboard experience in Windows 10.
The second feature brings an option to create a new desktop and maximize the window. This shows up as a pop-up button when a user hovers the maximize button. If you click on it, a new desktop is created and it will send the app to that desktop. It also maximizes the app on the new desktop.
Microsoft is also considering adding the following features to the upcoming PowerToys app:
- An advanced window manager that has specific layouts for docking and undocking laptops.
- A new keyboard shortcut manager.
- Ability to replace Win+R.
- Battery tracker.
- Microsoft is also considering improving alt+tab functionality by including browser tab integration and search for running apps.
- Ability to rename several files at the same time.
- Contents menu file browsing
- Ability to quickly swap resolution through taskbar.
There are several other improvements that Microsoft is looking into, like mouse events without focus.
Microsoft says it plans to release the first preview of utilities alongside with the source codes in summer 2019.
