In a notable update this week, Microsoft has introduced a new utility to its PowerToys suite, enhancing the user experience for those who manage multiple applications simultaneously. The newly launched PowerToys Workspaces feature allows users to create and save custom layouts of applications on their desktops, which can be effortlessly launched with a single click. This functionality is particularly advantageous for individuals utilizing multi-monitor setups, as it streamlines the process of organizing and accessing frequently used applications.
What you need to know
- Microsoft PowerToys has a new utility that allows you to launch a set of apps in a custom layout.
- The tool, called PowerToys Workspaces, supports saving a layout of applications and launching them with a single click through Workspaces Editor or a desktop shortcut.
- The same update that adds PowerToys Workspaces includes several other improvements to PowerToys, including the addition of multiple measurements in the Screen Ruler utility.
This update brings PowerToys to version 0.84.0, and while the change log is extensive, the introduction of PowerToys Workspaces stands out as the most significant enhancement. Users can customize window sizes and positions to create a workspace tailored to their preferences, allowing for a seamless transition back to their desired setup.
<h2 class="article-bodysection” id=”section-powertoys-v0-84-0″>PowerToys v0.84.0
Highlights
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New utility: PowerToys Workspaces – this utility can launch a set of applications to a custom layout and configuration on the desktop. App arrangements can be saved as a workspace and then relaunched with one click from the Workspaces Editor or from a desktop shortcut. In the editor, app configuration can be customized using CLI arguments and “launch as admin” modifiers, and app window sizes and positions can be updated as desired. This is our first public version of Workspaces, and we are excited for you to try it out for yourself! Make sure to file issues you encounter on our GitHub so the team can continue to improve the utility.
- Known issues – the team is actively working on fixing these:
- Apps that launch as admin are unable to be repositioned to the desired layout.
- Border of “Remove” / “Add Back” app button in editor is not clearly visible on light themes.
- Known issues – the team is actively working on fixing these:
- Added Awake –use-parent-pid CLI argument to attach to parent process. Thanks @dend!
- Added custom actions – user-specified pre-defined prompts for the AI model. Additionally, actions (both standard and custom) are now searchable from the prompt box, and Ctrl + number in-app shortcuts are now applicable for the first 9 search results.
- Ported all C++/CX code to C++/WinRT as part of a refactor and upgrade series aimed at enabling AOT (Ahead of Time) compilation for enhanced performance and reduced disk footprint.
General
- Added DSC support for ImageResizer resize sizes property.
Advanced Paste
- Added custom actions – user-specified pre-defined prompts for the AI model. Additionally, actions (both standard and custom) are now searchable from the prompt box, and Ctrl + number in-app shortcuts are now applicable for the first 9 search results.
Awake
- Added –use-parent-pid CLI argument to attach to parent process and fixed issue causing tray icon to disappear. Thanks @dend!
Hosts File Editor
- Fixed save failure when the hosts file is hidden. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
File Explorer add-ons
- Fixed multiple preview form positioning issues causing floating, detached windows, CoreWebView2 related exception, and process leak. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
Keyboard Manager
- Convert RemapBufferRow to a struct with descriptive field names. Thanks @masaru-iritani!
- Fixed issue causing stuck Ctrl key when shortcuts contain AltGr key.
Screen Ruler
- Added multiple measurements support for all measuring tools.
Settings
- Improved disabled animations InfoBar in Find My Mouse page. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
Documentation
- Added ChatGPTPowerToys plugin mention to thirdPartyRunPlugins.md. Thanks @ferraridavide!
Development
- Ported all C++/CX code to C++/WinRT.
- Moved Version.props import to Directory.Build.props.
- Extracted self-containment related .csproj properties to src/Common.SelfContained.props.
- Unused and obsolete dependencies cleanup. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
- Extracted CSWinRT related .csproj properties to src/Common.Dotnet.CsWinRT.props.
- Upgraded Microsoft.Windows.CsWinRT to 2.0.8 and updated verifyDepsJsonLibraryVersions.ps1 to unblock PRs.
- Explicitly Set NuGet Audit Mode to Direct in Directory.Build.props to revert changes made with VS 17.12 update. Thanks @snickler!
- Upgraded UnitsNet to 5.56.0.
