Five Essential PowerToys Utilities Microsoft Should Integrate into Windows 11

PowerToys, a comprehensive suite of advanced utilities designed for Windows 10 and 11, made its debut in September 2019. Since its launch, it has undergone numerous updates, yielding a variety of enhancements and new features aimed at improving user experience. The concept of offering advanced tools for Windows users is not a recent development; in fact, PowerToys traces its origins back to the era of Windows 95, introducing various utilities that were not included with the standard operating system.

Over the years, some utilities from the original Windows 95 PowerToys have been integrated into newer Windows versions, such as the Quick Res feature for instant display resolution changes. A similar trend is seen with the now-discontinued Dev Home app, aspects of which are transitioning to the new “Advanced”settings in Windows 11. As PowerToys marks more than five years since its inception, let us explore five particular modules that I believe Microsoft should consider incorporating directly into Windows 11.

1. Always on Top

This feature simplifies multitasking remarkably. By pressing Win + Ctrl + T, users can keep their selected application visible above all others, denoted by a subtle highlight. This utility can be applied to numerous apps, whether it’s Sticky Notes, web browsers, messaging apps, or calculators. It’s an invaluable tool that many users would benefit from if it were integrated into Windows 11, allowing for more streamlined multitasking.

2. Peek

Another beneficial feature is Peek, which allows users to quickly view a file without needing to open an entire application. By selecting a file and pressing Ctrl + Space, users can generate a preview. While this is incredibly handy for images, it’s equally effective for Excel spreadsheets, PDFs, and text documents. This functionality exists at the system level in macOS, and it would be fantastic to see it adopted in Windows 11 as well.

3. Mouse Utilities

PowerToys provides a range of useful features focused on enhancing mouse functionality. Options like locating the cursor with a double-tap of the left Ctrl key, highlighting mouse clicks, and converting the cursor into a crosshair enhance both convenience and accessibility. Although legacy Control Panel settings allow some mouse enhancements, the tools available in PowerToys offer a more modern and user-friendly experience. Given Microsoft’s current trend of migrating mouse settings to the Settings application, it would be wise to incorporate some of these PowerToys features as well.

4. Command Palette / PowerToys Run

There’s a broad consensus that the built-in Windows Search functionality leaves much to be desired, despite Microsoft’s attempts to enhance it through AI. Popular content creator Pewdiepie even suggested that inefficient search may drive users away from Windows. For those unwilling to make the switch to another operating system, the Command Palette offers a superior alternative. This powerful launcher recently introduced in PowerToys allows for quick app launches, file searches, window switching, and even basic calculations. It has the potential to replace the traditional Start menu, making it an ideal candidate for integration into Windows.

While it seems unlikely that Microsoft will replace Windows Search with Command Palette due to its heavy Bing integration, longing for a better search experience remains palpable among users.

5. Shortcut Guide

As an enthusiast of keyboard shortcuts, I frequently utilize various combinations to enhance my productivity. PowerToys enables users to display an overlay of Windows shortcuts either by pressing a designated key or holding down the Windows key. Integrating this guide into the Settings app of Windows 11, with a toggle option for those who may not find it useful, would greatly enrich the user experience.

What other modules or advanced features from PowerToys would you like to see implemented natively in the Windows operating system? We encourage you to share your insights and preferences in the comments!

Source & Images