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Windows · Windows Utilities

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows

Microsoft's official, open-source set of power-user utilities for Windows 11 and 10, including window management, a launcher, and batch renaming.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

PowerToys is Microsoft's own open-source collection of utilities that add power-user features Windows does not include by default. It is developed openly on GitHub with Microsoft's involvement, and distributed free through the Microsoft Store and GitHub releases.

Each utility is a self-contained module you can enable or disable independently: FancyZones for custom window layouts, PowerToys Run as a quick app launcher, PowerRename for pattern-based batch renaming, an image resizer, a color picker, Awake to temporarily prevent sleep, and several more, with new modules added over time.

Because it comes from Microsoft and is open source, it carries less of the trust question that surrounds third-party system utilities — the code is publicly auditable and it installs through the Store like any other Microsoft app.

It suits Windows users who want targeted productivity add-ons without hunting down separate third-party tools for window snapping, renaming, or quick launching, each of which would otherwise need its own installer and trust evaluation.

Key features

  • FancyZones for custom, saved window-snapping layouts
  • PowerToys Run, a fast keyboard-driven app and file launcher
  • PowerRename for pattern and regular-expression batch file renaming
  • Image Resizer and Color Picker context-menu tools
  • Awake to keep a PC on temporarily without changing power settings
  • PowerToys Peek and Text Extractor, among other actively developed modules

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
Distribution
Microsoft Store, WinGet, or installer from the project's GitHub releases

How to install Microsoft PowerToys

  1. 1. Install from the Microsoft Store

    Search for PowerToys in the Microsoft Store, or open the GitHub releases page for a direct installer if you prefer that channel.

  2. 2. Launch and enable modules

    Open the PowerToys settings window and enable only the modules you plan to use — each has its own on/off switch.

  3. 3. Configure hotkeys

    Review each enabled module's keyboard shortcut in Settings and adjust any that conflict with other software.

How to use it

  1. 1. Snap windows with FancyZones

    Open FancyZones settings, choose or design a zone layout, then drag windows while holding Shift to snap them into zones.

  2. 2. Launch apps quickly

    Press Alt+Space (default) to open PowerToys Run and type an app name, calculation, or file path.

  3. 3. Batch rename files

    Select files in Explorer, right-click, and choose PowerRename to apply a search-and-replace or regex-based renaming pattern to all of them at once.

  4. 4. Keep a PC awake temporarily

    Open Awake and set a timed or indefinite keep-awake mode instead of changing your power plan.

Safety and privacy

  • PowerToys is published and maintained with Microsoft's involvement and distributed through the Microsoft Store, GitHub, and WinGet.
  • Being open source, its code is publicly reviewable on GitHub.
Bundled software
No third-party bundling; it is a first-party Microsoft-associated open-source project.
Privacy
Runs locally. Individual modules (such as PowerToys Run) index local files and apps for search; no PowerToys account is required.

Known risks

  • Because modules run with your user privileges and some hook into window management or the shell, an unstable module can occasionally require disabling it or restarting Explorer.

What's new

  • 0.8x series

    PowerToys ships frequent updates that add and refine individual modules. Check Microsoft Learn's PowerToys release notes or the GitHub releases page for the current version and full change log.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free, official, and open source with Microsoft's backing
  • Modular — enable only what you need
  • Covers several common needs (window snapping, launching, renaming) in one download
  • Actively developed with new modules added regularly

Cons

  • Occasional module instability after major Windows or PowerToys updates
  • Some modules overlap with third-party tools that may be more feature-rich individually
  • Windows only

Verdict

PowerToys is an easy recommendation for Windows power users: it is free, official, open source, and modular, so there is little downside to installing it and enabling only the utilities you actually use.

Frequently asked questions

Is Microsoft PowerToys free?

Yes, it is completely free and open source, distributed by Microsoft's own PowerToys team.

Does PowerToys work on Windows 10?

Yes, PowerToys supports both Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit).

Do I need to enable every PowerToys module?

No, each module can be turned on or off independently from the Settings window, so you can install it once and use only what you need.

Is PowerToys safe since it comes from Microsoft?

It is developed with Microsoft's involvement and distributed through the Microsoft Store and GitHub, and the code is open source and publicly reviewable.