5 PowerToys Modules to Boost Windows Productivity with Open-Source Inspiration

Microsoft’s PowerToys has, over the years, become a vital suite of utilities for power users and casual enthusiasts alike, weaving enhancements directly into the Windows experience. Yet as Windows evolves—with new workflows, multitasking habits, and the expectation that digital tools should proactively support users—there remains a sense that PowerToys isn’t quite the all-in-one Swiss Army knife it could be. There are still key features that could elevate productivity if only Microsoft chose to integrate them. Fortunately, the vibrant open-source community is often a step ahead, consistently filling in the gaps with robust, innovative utilities that sometimes surpass even the most optimistic feature wishlists.
In this article, we’ll explore five modules that would bring significant value if added to the PowerToys roster. Each represents a function already executed impressively by open-source projects, providing Microsoft not just with inspiration but with real-world blueprints for broader Windows integration. We’ll analyze the strengths of each concept, discuss the open-source champions leading the way, and consider both the possibilities and practical concerns if Microsoft were to embrace these ideas natively. Let’s dive into the future of PowerToys—one shaped by community creativity and genuine user needs.

Advanced Clipboard Manager: Expanding on Windows’ Simple History​

If there’s one persistent thorn in the side of productivity-centric users, it’s the limitations of the built-in Windows Clipboard. Yes, since Windows 10 version 1809, Microsoft has provided a history manager, but even today, it’s capped at just 20 items—hardly enough for anyone juggling the modern workflows spanning chunks of text, images, file paths, code snippets, and more. Advanced Paste, the current PowerToys module, offers a nifty expansion, but even it falls short for high-volume or specialized users.

What Would the Ideal PowerToys Module Look Like?​

Imagine a clipboard manager seamlessly integrated into PowerToys that not only remembers hundreds of items, but can categorize and search through them, auto-paste based on application context, and even learn to suggest snippets you’re most likely to need at any moment. It would support images, formatted text, plain text, and file references, with easy clearing, privacy controls, and perhaps encryption for sensitive information.
It’s a vision that feels tantalizingly close—and the open-source scene proves it’s entirely possible.

The Open-Source Gold Standard: CopyQ​

CopyQ, an open-source clipboard manager available on Windows, Linux, and macOS, essentially ticks all the above boxes. With a default history size of up to 200 items (easily configurable), CopyQ can store text, images, file paths, and even run automated commands or scripts on clipped content. Its search capabilities and tabbed interface make retrieving and organizing data a breeze. For developers and automation enthusiasts, command-line support and customizable actions push its utility far beyond the Windows default. This versatility has made CopyQ a mainstay recommendation among power users.
Strengths:

• Stores hundreds of items—text, images, files, etc.
• Intuitive, searchable interface with tags and tabs
• Supports scripting and automation
• Free and cross-platform with an active community

Risks and Concerns:

• Security: Storing sensitive data requires robust encryption and privacy controls to be baked into the tool.
• Usability: Rich features can intimidate average users; thoughtful UX design is essential.

While PowerToys’ new Advanced Paste is a step in the right direction, Microsoft would do well to look to CopyQ’s nuanced approach for a future module—one that is both user-friendly for basic needs and powerful enough to satisfy advanced users.

Virtual Desktop Enhancer: Supercharging Task Switching​

Virtual desktops—multiple, discrete workspaces within one Windows session—are a staple for anyone seeking to compartmentalize tasks, keep projects organized, or simply maintain sanity in a multitasking world. Windows 10 and 11 support basic desktop creation and removal, but power features remain elusive. Want custom backgrounds or rules for app grouping? Automated switching? Custom keyboard shortcuts beyond the limited built-in set? The feature set is disappointingly static.

The Case for Deeper Integration​

A native PowerToys Virtual Desktop Enhancer could introduce much-needed granularity:

• Assign custom backgrounds or notification settings to each desktop
• Persistently save app groups or workflows to specific desktops
• Automation: trigger actions or desktop switches based on open applications, time of day, or usage patterns
• Provide APIs for third-party integrations or scripting
• Offer a visually-rich, centralized dashboard for desktop management

Community Solutions: VirtualDesktopAccessor & Scripting​

While Microsoft has yet to seriously flesh out these advanced options, the open-source world hasn’t waited around. Projects like VirtualDesktopAccessor provide APIs that unlock manipulation of virtual desktops—enabling developers to build their own advanced utilities or scripts. Many power users supplement this with AutoHotkey scripts or “virtual desktop forks,” giving them fine-grained control and custom automation well beyond Microsoft’s offerings.
Strengths:

• Allows for productivity-boosting automation and app grouping
• Scripting offers flexibility, catering to power users and niche workflows

Risks and Concerns:

• Stability: Third-party tools can become brittle with Windows updates—native support would vastly improve reliability.
• Accessibility: Command-line and scripting-based solutions are not approachable for less tech-savvy users.

A PowerToys module that brings these scripting-level controls into an approachable interface would bridge the gap, making advanced desktop management accessible to all Windows users.

Integrated System Performance Dashboard: Real-Time Insights at Your Fingertips​

One of the most universally requested Windows improvements is a consolidated, always-available dashboard to monitor system vitals—CPU, memory, disk, GPU, and network—all in one place. Task Manager and Resource Monitor exist, but are siloed, not customizable, and lack extensibility. Third-party tools—like Rainmeter for widgets, or LibreHardwareMonitor for deep dives—offer pieces of the puzzle, but nothing is as seamless as a well-designed, native dashboard.

Envisioning the PowerToys Take​

An integrated PowerToys module could sit unobtrusively in the system tray or open as a sidebar overlay, featuring:

• Live graphs for essential metrics
• Historical performance tracking and trends
• Customizable alerts for overheating, storage thresholds, or suspicious network activity
• One-click access to remediation actions—ending processes, freeing up memory, or optimizing background tasks

LibreHardwareMonitor & Rainmeter: Powerful, If Fragmented​

LibreHardwareMonitor deserves special mention here. It reads sensors from virtually all components—CPU, GPU, drives, fans—and exposes them through a clean API. This enables customizable widgets, overlays, or even smart notifications via integration with tools like Rainmeter. Rainmeter itself, the venerable desktop customization platform, can visualize anything the system (or third-party tools) can expose—but at the cost of complexity.
Strengths:

• Extensible, highly customizable
• Community-driven development keeps pace with new hardware
• Cross-compatible with many visualization approaches

Risks and Concerns:

• Setup can be intricate, with steep learning curves for full customization
• Fragmentation: Users must assemble different pieces themselves rather than using a centralized interface

A PowerToys module could unify these monitoring capabilities into one intuitive interface, democratizing advanced system insights for every Windows user and removing the hurdles that make third-party dashboards inaccessible to newcomers.

Smart Application Launcher with Contextual Search: The AI-Infused Command Palette​

PowerToys Run is already a celebrated feature, giving users a universal search bar for quickly launching applications, web searches, files, or even running commands. But what if it could go further? An app launcher that actively learns your habits, predicts your next action, and connects you with relevant files, apps, or workflows before you even type could dramatically redefine how we interact with Windows.

What’s the Next Leap?​

A truly “smart” application launcher module could include:

• AI-driven context: Prioritize results based on time, location, work patterns, or recent usage
• Multi-modal launch: File search, settings, applications, and even web actions all surfaced in one place
• Extensible commands: Integrate with automation tools, scripts, and custom plug-ins
• Personalized suggestions in real-time as you type

Open-Source Inspiration: Ueli and Keypirinha​

Both Ueli and Keypirinha illustrate just how much can be packed into a small, unassuming launcher utility. Ueli boasts out-of-box customization and fast, local file discovery, as well as a growing library of plug-ins for everything from web searches to calculator conversion. Keypirinha goes deeper for power users, with highly configurable actions, command-line integration, and robust extensibility through plugins.
Strengths:

• Lightweight and incredibly fast
• Highly customizable, with wide plugin support (especially Keypirinha)
• Accurate file and web search across local storage

Risks and Concerns:

• Complexity: As with all power tools, richer feature sets can overwhelm new users, so the learning curve must be addressed
• Privacy: AI or machine learning applied to search must ensure user data stays private and local

A next-generation PowerToys launcher, fusing AI-driven suggestions with the flexibility of Ueli and Keypirinha, could set a new benchmark for productivity tools on Windows.

Automated System Maintenance & Cleanup: Keeping Windows Running Smoothly​

Even as Windows has improved in self-maintenance, performance fragmentation, creep from temporary files, and storage bottlenecks remain persistent realities. Microsoft’s own tools (like Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup) are functional but basic, lacking scheduling, deep customization, or predictive insights into disk health and long-term optimization.

Visualizing a PowerToys Maintainer​

A fully integrated PowerToys maintenance module would:

• Schedule regular cleanups of temporary files, caches, browser detritus, and log files
• Report on disk health, fragmentation, and performance bottlenecks proactively
• Automatically defragment or optimize storage volumes as needed (especially for legacy hardware and HDDs)
• Provide clear, friendly feedback and advance warnings—not just after problems already arise

The Open-Source Benchmark: BleachBit​

BleachBit is well-known as a cross-platform, open-source disk and privacy cleaner often compared to CCleaner. It scours not only system detritus but application caches, browser histories, and more. Plugins allow further customization, and its scheduling/reporting options add depth for planners and IT admins.
Strengths:

• Deep cleaning across operating system and major apps
• Granular scheduling and reporting options
• Transparent and auditable (open-source code behind its privacy claims)

Risks and Concerns:

• Performance: Large scans can slow down systems, especially on older hardware
• Caution required: Overzealous cleaning or poorly documented options create risk for data loss if used by novices
• Integration: Without native hooks, tools like BleachBit cannot always address the deepest Windows system files or interact seamlessly with UWP app caches

A PowerToys maintenance module based on BleachBit’s principles—but leveraging Microsoft’s deep system access—could offer automated, reliable, and safe background upkeep that keeps Windows running at its best.

Critical Analysis: Why These Modules Matter for Windows’ Future​

Microsoft PowerToys today reflects a delicate balance: empowering power users while maintaining broad accessibility for the mainstream. The modules examined above—if realized—would not just cater to power users, but would lift the baseline user experience for everyone on Windows.
Each is more than a wishlist item; they represent genuine gaps, proven by years of active development and adoption within the open-source community. Open-source projects like CopyQ, VirtualDesktopAccessor, LibreHardwareMonitor, Ueli, Keypirinha, and BleachBit stand as blueprints not only for their functionality, but also for the way an active user base can rapidly iterate, improve, and refine features to fit evolving workflows.
Yet, the integration of such advanced tools into native PowerToys carries inherent challenges:

Usability vs. Power​

A persistent risk is that, in adapting these power features, Microsoft might either oversimplify—thus losing the core benefits that made the open-source tools stand out—or bury important functions within complex, intimidating interfaces. The solution, as exemplified by well-designed open-source apps, is thoughtful modularity: advanced users can dive deep, but everyday users get value from out-of-the-box simplicity.

Security and Privacy​

Clipboard managers and system cleaners, in particular, need stringent privacy controls. Open-source transparency helps, but Microsoft—by virtue of its scale and reach—must hold itself to even higher standards for encryption, user consent, and safe defaults.

System Stability and Compatibility​

Open-source tools regularly break when Windows internals change. A PowerToys module, built and maintained by Microsoft, offers vastly improved stability and integration, but must also avoid creating new compatibility headaches.

Community Collaboration​

Finally, Microsoft’s PowerToys relies heavily on community feedback and open-source contributions. Leveraging the innovations of independent developers—either through direct partnerships or robust APIs—will accelerate progress, keep features fresh, and foster a healthy relationship between Redmond and the global Windows enthusiast community.

Conclusion: Open-Source Inspiration for a First-Party Future​

While Microsoft’s PowerToys has grown into a powerful, beloved suite of utilities, it is the constant innovation from the open-source community that often leads the way. By drawing on the proven strengths of these advanced clipboard managers, virtual desktop utilities, performance dashboards, intelligent launchers, and cleaners, Microsoft has the opportunity to make PowerToys the ultimate productivity resource for every Windows user.
The challenge and opportunity for Microsoft is clear: balance sophistication with usability, embed privacy protections, and empower users—no matter their technical confidence—to work smarter, not harder. Until then, the open-source world will continue to fill the gaps. But with clear blueprints already in the wild, the roadmap for a supercharged PowerToys is ready and waiting—should Microsoft choose to follow it.

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Source: XDA https://www.xda-developers.com/powertoys-modules-wish-microsoft-would-build/