PowerToys, one of the best free apps on Windows 11, just got a major update

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Microsoft recently released an upgrade for PowerToys, introducing a fresh addition known as the Command Palette. This utility has been developed as an advancement from the previously effective PowerToys Run, a tool that was handy for launching applications and executing commands.

The Command Palette enables you to search for various items such as installed applications, shell commands, and files. Additionally, it can be utilized for installing WinGet packages.

In its latest release, version 0.90.0 of PowerToys, comes with an advanced Color Picker, added file deletion functionality in Peek, as well as numerous bug corrections and overall enhancements.

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Microsoft outlined all the changes to PowerToys on the app’s GitHub page.

PowerToys v0.90.0

Highlights

  • New module: Command Palette (“CmdPal”) – Created as the evolution of PowerToys Run with extensibility at the forefront, Command Palette is a quick launcher with a richer display and additional capabilities without sacrificing performance, allowing you to start anything with the shortcut Win+Alt+Space! Thanks @zadjii-msft, @niels9001, @joadoumie, @plante-msft, @ethanfangg and @krschau!
  • Enhanced the Color Picker by switching from WPF UI to .NET WPF, resulting in improved themes and visual consistency across different modes. Thanks @mantaionut! Thanks @Jay-o-Way and @niels9001 for helping with the review!
  • Added the ability to delete files directly from Peek, enhancing file management efficiency. Thanks @daverayment and thanks @htcfreek for the review!
  • Added support for variables in template filenames, enabling dynamic elements like date components and environment variables for enhanced customization in New+. Thanks @cgaarden!

Color Picker

  • Replaced WPF UI with .NET WPF for the Color Picker, enhancing compatibility and improving theme support. Thanks @mantaionut! Thanks @Jay-o-Way and @niels9001 for helping with the review!

FancyZones

  • Fixed a bug where deleting a layout resulted in incorrect data being written to the JSON file.
  • Fixed a bug where layout hotkeys were displayed incorrectly, ensuring the hotkey list does not include invalid entries.
  • Fixed an issue where the “None” option was missing in the editor layout.

Image Resizer

  • Fixed warnings in ImageResizer regarding the use of variables “shellItem” and “itemName” without being initialized.

Mouse Without Borders

  • Enhanced the logger to properly track the file path for easier debugging.
  • Refactored the “Common” class into distinct individual classes to enhance maintainability, and updated all references and unit tests to reflect these changes. Thanks @mikeclayton for this!

Settings

  • Disabled the spell check feature in the text boxes of plugin settings for PowerToys Run. Thanks @htcfreek!
  • Fixed an issue where InfoBars for release notes errors were not displayed properly, and added a retry button. Thanks @davidegiacometti!

Workspaces

  • Fixed an issue where some minimized packaged apps (e.g., Microsoft ToDo, Settings) were not snapshotted.

Documentation

  • Added the FirefoxBookmark plugin to the list of Third-Party plugins for PowerToys Run. Thanks @8LWXpg!
  • Added the SVGL third-party plugin to PowerToys Run, enabling users to search, browse, and copy SVG logos. Thanks @SameerJS6!
  • Added Monaco usage for the Registry Preview.

Development

  • Removed the Markdown file bypass to ensure CI runs for commits that only update Markdown files.
  • Fixed an issue where the default generated file path exceeded the length limit of 260 characters for EnvironmentVariablesUILib.csproj, causing build failures.
  • Upgraded WindowsAppSDK to 1.6.250205002 and CsWinRT to 2.2.0. Thanks @htcfreek for review!
  • Upgraded XamlStyler to 3.2501.8 and dotnet-consolidate to 4.2.0. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
  • Optimized the UI Test Automation Framework and added UI test cases for the Hosts File Editor module.
  • Added fuzz testing for RegistryPreview.
  • Added new UI tests for the FancyZones editor, including tests for creating, duplicating, editing, and deleting layouts.
  • Added telemetry code to measure the module editor open time and evaluate the benefits of applying AOT.

What is PowerToys?

Previously, PowerToys had been highly regarded as one of the top free applications for Windows 11. The recent upgrade has substantially enhanced several of its standout functionalities.

PowerToys, as its title implies, is primarily tailored for advanced users. However, some of the functionalities found within this application share similarities with features that are also present in Windows 11.

PowerToys’ influence is noticeable across Microsoft’s operating system, as demonstrated by features like FancyZones and Snap Assist that share many similarities.

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2025-04-01 14:39