Share this article
Improve this guide
10 Best PowerToys Utilities to Use on Windows 11
You can find many power user features in PowerToys
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Microsoft is adding various features to Windows via the PowerToys app, and if you aren’t familiar with this software, today we’ll show you the best PowerToys utilities to use.
Many of these features will make your workflow faster and allow you to multitask better, so be sure to keep on reading to learn more about the best PowerToys features.
What are the best PowerToys utilities I should use?
Always On Top – Keep any window on top
Using this feature you can easily keep any window at the top. To activate it, simply select the desired window and pressCtrl+Windowskey +T. You can use the same shortcut to disable it.
The feature has several customization options:
Awake – Ignore your power plan and keep your PC awake
With Awake, you can prevent your PC or monitor from going to sleep and ignore PC sleep settings. This feature has its icon in the system tray, so you can easily configure it.
As for configuration, the following options are available:
Peek – Preview files without opening them
With Peek, you can preview any file simply by usingCtrl+Spaceshortcut. The file will be opened in a new window so you can easily see its contents.
This feature can do the following:
PowerToys Run – Launch any application instantly
PowerToys Run works as a quick launcher for files and applications, and you can start it instantly by using theAlt+Ctrlshortcut. The search is fast and in our opinion more handy than Windows search.
Regarding other features, this feature can do the following:
PowerRename – Rename multiple files from File Explorer
With this feature, you can rename multiple files easily. Simply select the files, right-click them, and choose the PowerRename option from the menu.
The feature offers the following:
Image Resizer – Resize and optimize images quickly
Using the image resizer, you can quickly and easily resize images without using image editors. To resize pictures, simply select them and choose Resize Pictures from the context menu. It’s that simple.
These are the available features:
Fancy Zones – Create custom window layouts
Fancy Zones works as a window manager and it allows you to create and customize layouts. This works better than the default snapping feature since you can make an unlimited number of presets, columns, and rows. To activate this feature, simply drag the window while using the Shift key.
Other features that we need to mention:
Color Picker – Get color codes from your screen
If you’re a designer, you’ll find this feature incredibly helpful. Simply pressCtrl+Windowskey +Cand pick the color from the screen. The color editor will now open and you’ll be able to customize it or copy it in one of many available formats.
Other features of Color Picker:
Screen Ruler – Measure distance between elements easily
Another useful tool for designers is the Screen Ruler. You can start this tool withthe Windowskey +Shift+R. After that, just select what you want to measure, move the mouse cursor to the desired location and you’ll get the distance between the elements.
Screen Ruler comes with the following features:
File Locksmith – Unlock files with a single click
If you can’t end a certain process because another file is using it, File Locksmith is here to help. Right-click the file in the File Explorer and select What’s using this file from the context menu to see all the information.
Other features of File Locksmith:
Top 5 reasons to use PowerToys utilities on Windows 11
What are the alternatives to PowerToys utilities?
While there’s no alternative for PowerToys software as a whole, there are alternatives for the following utilities:
Microsoft is frequently updating this tool, and speaking of updates, you might want to checkPowerToys 0.61.0update changes.
Now that you know about the best utilities this tool offers, go andinstall PowerToys for Windows 11and try them yourself!
What are your favorite features of this software? Let us know in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Windows 11 Software & Apps
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
