PowerToys

Winsage
May 22, 2025
Mac users utilize Spotlight for searching applications, files, calculations, and web browsing, while Windows users have the Search Bar, which is less versatile. Command Palette is a new keyboard launcher for Windows, replacing PowerToys Run, allowing users to execute commands, search the web, find files, and create custom bookmarks with global keyboard shortcuts. Command Palette is part of PowerToys, which can be downloaded from GitHub, the Microsoft Store, or via the Windows Package Manager. After installing PowerToys version 0.9 or higher, users can enable Command Palette in the settings and customize its keyboard shortcut. Users can search for files by selecting the File search option and typing the desired term, and they can switch between open windows and execute commands in the Terminal. The hidden package manager WinGet allows users to install applications via Command Palette without opening the Terminal. Users can also enhance Command Palette with third-party extensions, which are currently limited but may expand in the future.
Winsage
May 2, 2025
Microsoft's PowerToys suite includes several productivity-enhancing tools for Windows 11 users: - Keyboard Manager: Allows users to create custom shortcuts and swap keyboard layouts, such as changing the positions of the Y and Z keys on a QWERTZ layout. - Quick Accent: Simplifies typing accented characters by providing a flyout menu for selecting accents when holding down a letter and pressing Space. - New+: Introduces a template folder for storing frequently used documents, enabling quick generation of new files. - Workspaces: Lets users save and launch a specific layout of applications simultaneously, streamlining workflow. - PowerToys Run/Command Palette: Provides quick access to applications and commands through keyboard shortcuts, allowing for instant launching and execution of commands. - FancyZones: Enhances window management by allowing users to create custom layouts for snapping applications into designated zones on their screens.
Winsage
May 1, 2025
Package managers streamline software installation and management on PCs, with WinGet being Microsoft's user-friendly solution for Windows 11. Unlike Chocolatey, which requires complex setup, WinGet is ready to use out of the box after accepting license terms. It integrates with PowerToys, allowing users to execute commands via the Command Palette without opening a Terminal. Additionally, WinGet manages applications from the Microsoft Store, providing a comprehensive experience that can yield more relevant search results. While Chocolatey has a larger repository and advanced features for professionals, WinGet is more accessible for average users.
Winsage
April 28, 2025
The Windows 11 Command Palette from PowerToys serves as a centralized command hub, allowing users to execute system commands, settings, and application launches through a unified search bar. Users can customize the palette by integrating third-party tools and adding their own commands. WinGet can be accessed from the interface to install software packages easily. However, there are issues with the Command Palette not launching consistently, requiring users to disable and re-enable it to fix the shortcut. Some preinstalled commands are deemed unhelpful, but users can disable them in the settings. Overall, the Command Palette enhances workflow efficiency by simplifying access to various tasks.
Winsage
April 24, 2025
Windows 11 has challenges for users seeking a productivity-centric desktop experience, prompting many to seek alternatives and customization utilities. Key elements for enhancing productivity include effective file management, quick access to applications, and tools to streamline workflow. For file management, users can benefit from dual-pane file manager alternatives like XYplorer, File Pilot, Files, and Total Commander, which improve efficiency beyond the default File Explorer. Customizing the Start Menu by relocating it to the left and using tools like StartAllBack, Start11, and Windhawk can enhance productivity. Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar allows for quick access and utilizes jump lists for recent documents. Disabling the News & Interests widget can reduce distractions, and many users choose to remove Microsoft's Copilot due to unmet expectations. For desktop customization, tools like StartAllBack, Windhawk, Rainmeter, and PowerToys can improve both appearance and functionality. PowerToys offers over 20 utilities, including FancyZones for window management and PowerToys Run for quick application access, making it essential for optimizing workflow. Overall, effective file management, application accessibility, and thoughtful customization are crucial for enhancing productivity on Windows 11.
Winsage
April 24, 2025
Windows 11's File Explorer can be enhanced with third-party add-ons to improve user experience and productivity. 1. TeraCopy: A tool for transferring large files and folders efficiently, queuing jobs, adjusting block sizes, and skipping problematic files. It has a free version and a paid option for enhanced features. 2. Peek: Part of the PowerToys suite, it allows users to preview images or documents without fully opening them by pressing Ctrl + Space. 3. DropIt: Integrates with File Explorer to automate file organization by setting rules for files dropped onto its icon, allowing actions like sorting, renaming, or compressing. 4. Image Resizer: An add-on from PowerToys that adds a "Resize with Image Resizer" option to the right-click menu, enabling bulk resizing of images with customizable options. 5. PowerRename: Also from PowerToys, it simplifies bulk renaming of files through advanced features in the right-click menu, allowing users to delete words, concatenate names, or replace text across multiple files.
Winsage
April 23, 2025
Microsoft Edge was used as the sole application for two weeks to explore its capabilities as a potential alternative to ChromeOS for Windows 10 users. The experiment revealed that while Edge has useful features like the Sidebar and Edge Drop, the web versions of Microsoft Office were inadequate for daily tasks, often performing poorly and lacking functionality compared to desktop versions. Essential applications identified during the experiment included Snipping Tool, PowerToys, Microsoft Office apps, and a dedicated photo editor. The experiment also highlighted the possibility of uninstalling many applications from Windows 11, emphasizing the benefits of a clean install. Additionally, the potential of Windows 10X as a competitor to ChromeOS was noted, though it remains unrealized.
Winsage
April 21, 2025
The Raspberry Pi series has evolved into versatile systems, but running Windows has been challenging for enthusiasts. A recent project explored running Windows 11 on the Raspberry Pi 5 using Runtipi, a platform for deploying containers. This method allows Windows 11 to run in a container using KVM technology. The installation process took about 38-43 minutes, resulting in a Windows 11 desktop with limited performance, including a capped display resolution of 800x600. Geekbench 6 tests showed single-core performance similar to Raspberry Pi OS, but multi-core performance was lower. Running PC games resulted in long load times and resolution issues, making the experience unsatisfactory. The containerized approach simplifies the installation process compared to traditional methods, making it a viable option for running lightweight applications on the Raspberry Pi.
Winsage
April 16, 2025
Microsoft is testing a new feature in the preview version 11.2503.27.0 of the Snipping Tool for Windows 11 that allows users to extract text directly from images without taking a screenshot first. By pressing Windows + Shift + S, users can access a capture bar that includes a 'text extractor' option. This feature enables users to extract all visible text or select specific portions manually, with the option to remove line breaks. This enhancement follows similar text extraction capabilities introduced in the Photos app last year.
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