Microsoft has once again reaffirmed its commitment to power users and productivity enthusiasts with the release of PowerToys version 0.92, a significant update that delivers a host of enhancements, critical bug fixes, and a particular focus on performance and user experience. As PowerToys continues its evolution—serving as a vital component for Windows power users since its revival—the latest update demonstrates how agile development and user feedback can create compelling improvements, especially for Windows 11 users. A close examination of PowerToys 0.92 reveals not only new features but also an under-the-hood commitment to efficiency, extensibility, and platform harmony that is characteristic of Microsoft’s current open-source direction.
AOT has become a best practice in large-scale applications seeking to minimize runtime delays associated with Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation, especially in cross-platform .NET-based solutions. Microsoft’s own documentation encourages the use of AOT compilation for applications where startup performance is mission-critical. By applying this to all first-party Command Palette extensions, PowerToys 0.92 lowers latency, ensures a smoother user experience, and reduces the chance of unpredictable slowdowns when summoning commands or navigating the tool. Users who frequently launch Command Palette should notice a tangible reduction in waiting times.
Additionally, enhanced extensibility ensures that PowerToys remains adaptable—capable of supporting more complex future integrations or third-party plugins. The UX fixes subtly refine the clarity and consistency of the interface, with visual styling upgrades to critical context items, improved hotkey handling, better field focus logic, and more graceful closing mechanisms.
For IT professionals, remote workers, and those troubleshooting network issues, being able to invoke a speed test from the same interface used for rapid app launching, file searches, and other system operations is a genuine time-saver. Moreover, it reduces the dependency on web browsers, often a pain point in locked-down enterprise environments or under constrained user accounts.
Integration with Speedtest CLI also marks a subtle but important move: bridging traditional desktop workflows with the increasingly command-line-centric approaches seen in DevOps, system administration, and cloud operations.
Upgrading libraries is not just routine maintenance—in open-source projects, staying on top of dependency updates is a key vector for both performance gains and robust security postures. It reduces exposure to vulnerabilities and ensures compatibility with evolving Windows features, APIs, and hardware.
Such granular customization reflects PowerToys’ ethos—empowering power users to fine-tune their environment beyond out-of-the-box defaults.
Meanwhile, File Explorer add-ons enjoy better rendering stability. Past issues with PDF previews, blank thumbnails, and text file crashes during browsing have been addressed. This kind of refinement is particularly critical in enterprise environments where reliability during file management is paramount.
This addresses system-wide user frustration and aligns with broader conversations around software choice, user autonomy, and regulatory scrutiny Microsoft has faced in the EU and elsewhere regarding default app selection and ballot compliance. The fix is subtle, but it restores expected functionality and will be of immense value for organizations and individuals who rely on non-Edge browsers for workflow continuity.
Other relevant extension improvements include:
Speed test integration further amplifies PowerToys’ practical utility for troubleshooting and diagnostics, removing an entire class of workflow redundancies. When paired with recent Windows 11 hardware improvements and memory management features introduced in the 24H2 branch, PowerToys 0.92 feels more “native” than ever—simply melting into the operating system rather than feeling tacked on.
PowerToys 0.92’s tight focus on Windows 11 compatibility, especially concerning the browser choice fix for 24H2, demonstrates how open-source software can fill gaps, address friction points, and even support regulatory compliance indirectly—giving users choices and clarity where the core OS might not.
The continued commitment to open development, rapid iteration, and tight integration with upstream libraries ensures PowerToys will remain at the forefront of Windows productivity for developers, IT professionals, designers, and power users alike. As always, those on the bleeding edge should test new releases judiciously, but for most users, the upgrade to PowerToys 0.92 is a safe, compelling, and worthwhile step forward.
For the latest downloads, complete release notes, and the chance to contribute or provide feedback, the official PowerToys GitHub repository remains the place to go. As these regular updates continue, PowerToys is well on its way to becoming as essential to Windows power users in this decade as it was at its launch two decades ago—now better, faster, and more open than ever.
Source: Neowin PowerToys 0.92 brings performance boost, speed test, Windows 11 24H2 default browser fix
PowerToys 0.92: A Tactical Boost for Productivity on Windows
A System Tray Toggle: Empowering Personalization
One of the most user-facing changes in PowerToys 0.92 is the introduction of a toggle in PowerToys settings for showing or hiding the system tray icon. This minor-sounding feature addresses long-standing user feedback, giving individuals direct control over UI clutter and the persistent visibility of the PowerToys icon based on personal workflow preferences. It’s the type of quality-of-life update that acknowledges the diversity of user habits, particularly for those who rely on a minimalist or distraction-free desktop environment. In day-to-day use, this means that PowerToys can now run less intrusively, offering its powerful suite of utilities without demanding visual attention unless called upon.Command Palette: Performance, Extensibility, and UX at the Forefront
Another core focus in this release is a sweeping performance improvement for the Command Palette—one of PowerToys’ most flexible and power-centric tools. Command Palette, which enables keyboard-driven access to a vast range of commands across the operating system, now benefits from comprehensive Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation for all first-party extensions. This shift improves both load times and runtime stability, aligning PowerToys with best practices seen in modern development environments.AOT has become a best practice in large-scale applications seeking to minimize runtime delays associated with Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation, especially in cross-platform .NET-based solutions. Microsoft’s own documentation encourages the use of AOT compilation for applications where startup performance is mission-critical. By applying this to all first-party Command Palette extensions, PowerToys 0.92 lowers latency, ensures a smoother user experience, and reduces the chance of unpredictable slowdowns when summoning commands or navigating the tool. Users who frequently launch Command Palette should notice a tangible reduction in waiting times.
Additionally, enhanced extensibility ensures that PowerToys remains adaptable—capable of supporting more complex future integrations or third-party plugins. The UX fixes subtly refine the clarity and consistency of the interface, with visual styling upgrades to critical context items, improved hotkey handling, better field focus logic, and more graceful closing mechanisms.
Speed Test Comes to PowerToys Run: Built with Ookla’s Speedtest CLI
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing addition in 0.92 is the integration of a network speed test directly within PowerToys Run, the quick launcher that has quickly become an indispensable part of many Windows workflows. This feature leverages the well-known Ookla Speedtest CLI, a trusted tool within the IT and telecom industry for its accuracy and reliability in measuring real-world internet connection speed. Ookla’s brand pedigree ensures the results are as trustworthy as those provided by its popular web-based front end.For IT professionals, remote workers, and those troubleshooting network issues, being able to invoke a speed test from the same interface used for rapid app launching, file searches, and other system operations is a genuine time-saver. Moreover, it reduces the dependency on web browsers, often a pain point in locked-down enterprise environments or under constrained user accounts.
Integration with Speedtest CLI also marks a subtle but important move: bridging traditional desktop workflows with the increasingly command-line-centric approaches seen in DevOps, system administration, and cloud operations.
Behind the Scenes: .NET 9.0.6 and WinAppSDK 1.7.2 Upgrades
Technical users will note the substantial infrastructure improvements delivered through library updates. PowerToys 0.92 now ships with .NET 9.0.6, which, according to Microsoft’s official release notes, introduces a range of performance optimizations and security fixes. Similarly, the adoption of WinAppSDK 1.7.2 signals Microsoft's drive to maintain platform alignment and leverage the latest enhancements in Windows app development.Upgrading libraries is not just routine maintenance—in open-source projects, staying on top of dependency updates is a key vector for both performance gains and robust security postures. It reduces exposure to vulnerabilities and ensures compatibility with evolving Windows features, APIs, and hardware.
Color Picker: Customizable Mouse Actions for Power Users
Customization stands out as a theme in PowerToys 0.92, particularly in the Color Picker utility. This tool now features customizable mouse button actions, allowing users to assign specific functions to left, right, or middle mouse clicks. For designers, developers, or anyone working with color palettes, this provides greater workflow efficiency. Assignments might include copying the selected color in various formats, adding to a palette, or instantly opening the color editor.Such granular customization reflects PowerToys’ ethos—empowering power users to fine-tune their environment beyond out-of-the-box defaults.
Enhancements and Fixes: Bug Reports, File Explorer Add-ons, and More
Version 0.92 delivers numerous behind-the-scenes fixes and improvements that enhance reliability, stability, and usability across the suite. The updated Bug Report Tool stands out by streamlining the reporting process, incorporating faster progress indicators, improved compression routines, auto-cleanup of obsolete trace logs, and collection of MSIX installer logs. These improvements are especially valuable for PowerToys’ large open-source community, offering developers more actionable diagnostic data and reducing friction in user-driven bug reporting.Meanwhile, File Explorer add-ons enjoy better rendering stability. Past issues with PDF previews, blank thumbnails, and text file crashes during browsing have been addressed. This kind of refinement is particularly critical in enterprise environments where reliability during file management is paramount.
Notable Command Palette Updates: Usability and Stability First
PowerToys 0.92 goes further in refining the Command Palette. Highlights include:- Elimination of Laggy Page Loading: Past regressions that slowed down page loads are now resolved, offering a markedly smoother navigation experience.
- Hotkey Handling Consistency: Users can rely on predictable, consistent hotkey behavior across all commands, minimizing friction and confusion.
- Graceful Window Closing: Improved closing logic prevents lingering or “stuck” Command Palette windows, further streamlining workflow interruptions.
- Localization and Alias Logic: Localization support for “Direct” and “Indirect” settings, along with improved handling for command aliases, makes the tool more accessible to non-English users and clarifies complex command structures.
- Enhanced File Icon Loading: A subtle but important optimization, removing unnecessary operations during SDK ThumbnailHelper.cs icon loading means lower memory usage and less risk of slowdowns when executing file-related commands.
Command Palette Extensions: Addressing Edge and Default Browser Escalations
A recurring complaint with Windows 11—particularly with the upcoming 24H2 update—has been Microsoft’s hard push towards using the Edge browser, sometimes even bypassing set user defaults for browser selection. In PowerToys 0.92, a critical fix ensures that the Web Search command within Command Palette respects the user’s default browser settings, not forcibly opening Edge.This addresses system-wide user frustration and aligns with broader conversations around software choice, user autonomy, and regulatory scrutiny Microsoft has faced in the EU and elsewhere regarding default app selection and ballot compliance. The fix is subtle, but it restores expected functionality and will be of immense value for organizations and individuals who rely on non-Edge browsers for workflow continuity.
Other relevant extension improvements include:
- Time & Date Extension: Outdated result bugs have been fixed, ensuring more reliable information delivery.
- Restart Windows Explorer Command: A new addition allows users to gracefully terminate and relaunch
explorer.exedirectly from Command Palette—vital for troubleshooting, UI refreshes, or after modifying environment variables.
Performance in Focus: Analyzing Real-World Impact
Performance gains in PowerToys 0.92 are both broad and deep. The combined effects of AOT compilation, .NET 9.0.6 migration, and streamlined extension architecture reduce resource usage and startup latency. For users running PowerToys continuously in the background—whether for small, frequent tasks like quick calculations or for more advanced operations such as bulk file renaming and command chaining—this culminates in a noticeably lighter and more responsive experience.Speed test integration further amplifies PowerToys’ practical utility for troubleshooting and diagnostics, removing an entire class of workflow redundancies. When paired with recent Windows 11 hardware improvements and memory management features introduced in the 24H2 branch, PowerToys 0.92 feels more “native” than ever—simply melting into the operating system rather than feeling tacked on.
Potential Weaknesses and Areas for Caution
Despite the impressive list of changes, a few caveats deserve mention:- Rolling Dependency Risks: As PowerToys rapidly adopts the latest .NET and WinAppSDK releases, users on older or non-standard configurations may encounter compatibility hiccups. While Microsoft tests extensively on mainstream builds, edge-case enterprise environments or partially upgraded systems might run into issues. Always test PowerToys in isolated environments before wide-scale enterprise deployment.
- Command Palette Overhead: Increasing extensibility and feature depth can sometimes introduce performance drag or instability if not tightly managed. While 0.92 has proven stable in broad user reports, complex custom extension setups warrant regular monitoring.
- Reliance on Third-Party Integrations: The Speedtest CLI feature, while convenient, depends on continued support from Ookla. If Ookla were to revamp APIs or restrict access, this could potentially break or degrade the feature until a PowerToys patch is issued.
- Churn for Non-English Users: The pace of localization improvements, while welcome, still means some international users may experience awkward translations or out-of-sync terminology, especially as new features roll out ahead of full language support.
Broader Implications: PowerToys and the Windows Productivity Ecosystem
PowerToys serves as a bellwether for Microsoft’s approach to user empowerment. With each release, PowerToys demonstrates how community-driven feedback, open-source transparency, and rapid iteration can deliver value far faster than traditional Windows feature update cycles. Notably, enhancements in PowerToys have sometimes presaged eventual first-party changes to Windows itself; features like the new color picker, improved file explorer previews, and system command shortcuts sometimes inform or pressure Microsoft to integrate similar logic at the OS level.PowerToys 0.92’s tight focus on Windows 11 compatibility, especially concerning the browser choice fix for 24H2, demonstrates how open-source software can fill gaps, address friction points, and even support regulatory compliance indirectly—giving users choices and clarity where the core OS might not.
How to Upgrade to PowerToys 0.92
For users looking to take advantage of these enhancements, PowerToys 0.92 can be downloaded directly from its official GitHub repository, with complete release notes and changelogs available for transparency. Existing users can update directly via the in-app update mechanism, while first-time installers should ensure they’re running supported versions of Windows (ideally the latest Windows 11 SKUs for maximum compatibility). For IT administrators, deploying PowerToys via MSIX or other managed installer formats is supported, with logging enhancements now making troubleshooting deployments faster and more transparent.The Verdict: Incremental Yet Impactful
PowerToys 0.92, while not a wholesale reinvention, stands out as a meaningful, user-focused update. By focusing on performance improvements, critical bug fixes, new diagnostic and customization features, and—most notably—the restoration of browser choice on Windows 11 24H2, this release cements PowerToys’ role as an indispensable utility in the modern Windows ecosystem.The continued commitment to open development, rapid iteration, and tight integration with upstream libraries ensures PowerToys will remain at the forefront of Windows productivity for developers, IT professionals, designers, and power users alike. As always, those on the bleeding edge should test new releases judiciously, but for most users, the upgrade to PowerToys 0.92 is a safe, compelling, and worthwhile step forward.
For the latest downloads, complete release notes, and the chance to contribute or provide feedback, the official PowerToys GitHub repository remains the place to go. As these regular updates continue, PowerToys is well on its way to becoming as essential to Windows power users in this decade as it was at its launch two decades ago—now better, faster, and more open than ever.
Source: Neowin PowerToys 0.92 brings performance boost, speed test, Windows 11 24H2 default browser fix
