Microsoft’s PowerToys development team continues to surprise Windows users with features that enhance productivity and streamline workflows. The latest release, version 0.99, introduces two noteworthy tools: Grab And Move and Power Display, alongside enhancements to the popular Command Palette Dock.
Grab And Move utility in PowerToys makes window management a breeze
Grab And Move revolutionizes the way users interact with application windows. By simply holding the Alt key and dragging anywhere on a window, users can effortlessly reposition it without the hassle of searching for the title bar. This functionality is reminiscent of Linux desktop environments, where such flexibility is standard, and its absence in Windows has often been a source of frustration.
Upon accessing the Grab And Move settings, users will notice a cautionary note regarding potential reliability issues with certain touchpads. However, testing on both a mouse and touchpad revealed satisfactory performance on most systems. Users can click and drag to move windows or right-click and drag to resize them, making window management smoother than ever.
Customization options abound, allowing users to switch the activation key from Alt to the Windows key, mirroring Linux preferences. Additionally, the feature can be toggled off during gaming sessions, ensuring an uninterrupted gaming experience. Users can also exclude specific applications from using Grab And Move, enhancing its versatility.
Power Display feature should have come to Windows a long time ago
Power Display addresses a long-standing gap in Windows functionality by enabling users to manage monitor settings directly from the system tray. This feature allows for adjustments to brightness, contrast, volume, rotation, and color temperature without the need to fumble with physical buttons on the monitor.
Accessible via a shortcut or the system tray, Power Display offers a range of controls, including:
- Brightness slider
- Contrast slider
- Volume slider
- Input source control
- Rotation control
- Color temperature switcher
- Power state control
For those utilizing multi-monitor setups, Power Display proves particularly advantageous, provided that the monitors support DDC/CI standards. This capability allows for seamless control over external displays through the video cable. However, users with older monitors lacking this support may encounter limitations.
Furthermore, the feature includes a Profiles option, enabling users to save and apply specific monitor settings, such as a night mode profile that adjusts brightness and color tones for a more comfortable viewing experience.
Command Palette Dock now has a compact mode
The Command Palette Dock, a recent addition to PowerToys, has garnered positive feedback since its debut. In response to user preferences, it now offers a compact mode, reducing its size by nearly half and freeing up valuable screen space.
Additionally, users can customize the appearance of pinned commands within the Dock, choosing their placement and whether to display titles and subtitles. This flexibility enhances the overall user experience, making it easier to access frequently used commands.
With features like Grab And Move and Power Display, Microsoft is addressing fundamental aspects of the Windows operating system. As the company continues to refine its core functionalities, the integration of such enhancements into the default Windows experience seems like a natural progression.
