Every day, I rely on a fixed array of applications to streamline my workflow. My primary monitor is split, with Obsidian serving as my go-to text editor on one side and a web browser occupying the other half. My secondary display is tasked with supporting myriad functions, such as File Explorer, LocalSend, a language model (LLM) tool, and an additional browser, each neatly occupying a quarter of the screen.
One challenge that arises from this setup is the necessity to manually restore it each time I reboot my computer, which happens more frequently than I’d prefer. Fortunately, the Workspaces feature in PowerToys provides a seamless solution for this issue. With just a single click, it can launch and arrange all of my applications exactly where I need them. This functionality is not only effortless and innovative but also ranks among the top features that Microsoft should consider including as a default in Windows 11.
What Is PowerToys Workspaces?
A Snapshot of Your Ideal Setup
PowerToys is a suite of advanced utilities designed for power users on Windows 10 and 11. You may already be familiar with several of its popular tools, such as PowerToys Run for rapid application launches, FancyZones for custom window management, and Always Awake to prevent your device from sleeping. However, the feature that has significantly alleviated my long-standing frustrations with Windows is Workspaces.
Workspaces allows users to capture a precise snapshot of their open applications and their respective window positions, enabling quick restoration with a single click. Essentially, it accomplishes two key tasks: it remembers and reopens your frequently used apps, and it retains your preferred layouts, ensuring applications are positioned exactly as you like.
Additionally, you can create distinct workspaces for various tasks. For instance, I have separate workspaces for different clients, coding projects, and creative endeavors.
Workspaces comes integrated within PowerToys. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can download it from the Microsoft Store. After installation, open PowerToys, locate the Windowing & Layout section, and select Workspaces. Enable the feature by toggling the Enable Workspaces switch.
啟動工作區的預設快捷方式是Win + Ctrl + Backtick，但您可以在啟動設定下自訂它。
創建你的工作區
一次設置，無限期使用
要建立工作區，首先要按照所需的佈局排列應用程式。打開特定工作流程所需的所有應用程序，並使用 Windows 對齊佈局或FancyZones調整它們的位置。完成完美設定後，按Win + Ctrl + 反引號（或您自訂的快速鍵）即可存取工作區編輯器。
點擊「建立工作區」，為您的設定命名，然後選擇「捕獲」。此操作將保存每個開啟的應用程式及其位置。捕獲完成後，您將在編輯器中看到所有已捕獲應用程式的清單。若要從此清單中刪除任何應用程序，請選擇該應用程式並點擊「刪除」。每個條目還附帶一個下拉箭頭，用於存取進階選項。
高級設定可讓您新增命令列參數，這對於接受特定啟動參數的應用程式非常有用。例如，您可以將路徑作為參數新增至 VS Code 中，從而將其配置為直接開啟特定的專案資料夾。
此外，您可以自訂應用程式以管理員權限啟動（這對於開發工具很有幫助），或者決定它們是否以最小化或最大化模式啟動。最小化選項對於Slack或Spotify等後台應用程式尤其有用。
對於追求精確控制的用戶，如果捕獲的佈局不夠精確，您可以手動調整每個應用程式的位置值。此外，工作區可以儲存為桌面捷徑，可以透過多種途徑啟動，包括桌面、Windows 搜尋、PowerToys Run 或 Listary 等第三方啟動器。
當您造訪工作區編輯器時，您可以按Win + Ctrl + Backtick來啟動您的配置，然後按一下啟動以恢復所有應用程式。
該工具能夠有效管理開啟的應用程序，確保重新定位現有窗口，而不會建立重複窗口。如果您使用多台顯示器，Workspaces會記住每個應用程式分配到哪個螢幕。
提升的機會
還不夠完美
While Workspaces delivers significant benefits, it comes with some limitations. A notable drawback is its inability to save web applications, which means that restored sessions do not function correctly. For example, although I utilize YouTube Music as a standalone app in Edge, Workspaces incorrectly opens it in a standard browser window. This issue persists with other Progressive Web Apps and shortcuts created in Chrome.
Applications such as AutoHotkey, which rely on interpreters, or Java applications, can also cause complications. There are instances where Workspaces struggles with multiple instances of the same application, particularly with File Explorer or Chrome tabs. If you set up three different File Explorer windows in specified folders, they may not retain their intended positions or directory paths upon launching the workspace.
Additionally, the tool can falter with window positioning. An application intended to display on the left monitor may appear on the right, or windows can overlap rather than snapping neatly into place. Although you can rectify window arrangements manually with FancyZones, Workspaces ideally would manage this autonomously.
Addressing a Longtime Frustration with Windows
Despite its flaws, Workspaces effectively automates the tedious process of manually reconstructing your desktop each day. It allows you to restore your apps to their original positions with a single click, and you can create an unlimited number of workspaces. This feature makes one ponder how long it will take for Microsoft to incorporate this functionality into Windows natively. Until that day comes, Workspaces remains the optimal choice.
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