PowerToys can feel like a secret power-up for Windows — a compact, official toolbox from Microsoft that fills the small but persistent productivity gaps the OS leaves alone, and in 2026 there’s no better way to tune Windows 11 to your workflow than selectively installing and configuring the right PowerToys modules. This feature walks through seven practical PowerToys that transform everyday Windows tasks, explains how to install and configure them safely, and gives an honest assessment of strengths, trade-offs, and risks so you can decide what to keep running on your PC.
Background / Overview
Microsoft PowerToys is an official, open-source suite of modular utilities that runs on Windows 10 (2004 and later) and Windows 11. You install one package and then enable only the tools you want, keeping background resource use low while adding targeted capabilities that Windows doesn't ship as defaults. The toolkit is distributed via the Microsoft Store (UWP), GitHub releases (Win32), and package managers such as winget, giving you choices for automatic updates or manual control.
PowerToys functions as Microsoft’s experimental sandbox: features are developed, iterated, and polished in PowerToys before some eventually inform OS-level changes. That makes it both a safe place to get useful utilities and a place where behavior, shortcuts, and module names can change across versions. Version-specific claims therefore deserve caution: check your installed PowerToys release notes if you need precise defaults.
Quick install and setup checklist
- Choose your installer:
- Microsoft Store (UWP): automatic updates, easiest for most users.
- GitHub (Win32): per-user x64 or Arm64 installers if you prefer manual control.
- winget: scriptable installs for power users and admins.
- Install and open PowerToys; visit the General tab to check for hotkey conflicts and basic settings.
- Turn off the default modules you don’t need, then enable the specific utilities you plan to use. Selective enabling reduces background memory and potential input-hook conflicts.
- After enabling a tool, test its default hotkeys and adjust them if they conflict with other software or system shortcuts. PowerToys exposes a simple UI to remap module shortcuts.
My seven favorite PowerToys for 2026 (and why they matter)
1) PowerToys Run — the fast keyboard launcher (Alt + Space)
PowerToys Run is a lightweight, keyboard-first launcher that’s faster and more focused than Windows Search for launching apps, opening files, running calculations, and invoking small commands. The usual activation key is Alt + Space, which brings up a minimal search field where fuzzy matching finds applications and files quickly. For file-only searches, prefix your query with a question mark (for example, ? TechRadar).
Why it’s useful
- Instant app/file launch without the Start menu lag.
- Inline actions: simple math, conversions, and shell commands.
- Extensible plugin ecosystem for package managers and extra integrations.
Practical tips
- If you prefer a modern, more extensible experience, try the newer Command Palette module (it’s intended to supersede Run eventually), but Run remains lean and stable if you want minimalism.
- Configure indexing and plugin preferences in the Run settings to balance speed and result coverage.
Risks and trade-offs
- Run hooks into global keyboard input; if you have multiple global hotkeys, check for conflicts to avoid unexpected behavior.
2) Peek — macOS Quick Look for Windows (press Space)
Peek implements a Quick Look–style preview for files: select any file in File Explorer and press Space to get an instant, lightweight preview without launching a full app. For images, documents, and many supported formats, Peek is much faster than opening an editor and perfect for quick triage.
Why it’s useful
- Fast previewing of images, Markdown, and other supported file types.
- Works directly from File Explorer with no extra steps.
Practical tips
- If you mainly preview photos or PDFs, Peek saves dozens of clicks a day; combine with Image Resizer for quick edits to batches of pictures.
Limitations
- Peek’s supported file types evolve; some proprietary formats may still need their host application to preview correctly. Verify the preview pane support for niche file types before relying on it.
3) Keyboard Manager — remap keys and shortcuts safely
Keyboard Manager lets you remap single keys or create custom shortcuts that send other key combinations. It’s ideal for reclaiming unused keys (for example, turning a rarely used key into Print Screen) or swapping Caps Lock with a more useful function. The UI guides you through mapping: pick a key, choose the target key or shortcut, and save.
Why it’s useful
- Fixes ergonomics on compact keyboards or laptops that lack certain dedicated keys.
- Quick workaround for broken or missing keys without third-party drivers.
How to use
- Open Keyboard Manager → Remap a key.
- Press the physical key to remap, then select the destination function (e.g., Print Screen).
- Save and test; remove mappings with the trash icon when done.
Risks
- Global remaps can surprise applications that expect default behavior; keep a backup of your remap list and document changes if you manage multiple machines.
- Some enterprise environments with strict input policies may block global hooks — test before wide deployment.
4) Image Resizer — batch resize from File Explorer
Image Resizer adds a right-click context-menu entry to resize pictures without opening an editor. Select images, right-click, choose Resize pictures, pick a preset or custom dimensions, and batch-generate resized copies. It’s a tiny feature that saves time for email, upload, or social sharing tasks.
Why it’s useful
- Fast batch resizing with options for Fit/Fill/Stretch and metadata handling.
- Presets reduce repetitive manual resizing work.
Practical tips
- Use Image Resizer when preparing multiple photos for web or email — it’s faster than loading each file in an image editor.
- Combine with PowerRename to standardize file names after resizing.
Limitations
- For professional editing (lossless resizing, advanced resampling, or color profile handling) use a dedicated image editor; Image Resizer is built for convenience, not professional-grade image processing.
5) Light Switch — scheduled Light/Dark theming
Light Switch adds a first‑party way to schedule Windows Light/Dark theme switching. You can pick fixed hours or use a Sunset-to-Sunrise mode that leverages location to toggle automatically. Light Switch toggles the same personalization registry values Windows uses to change theme, which lets many system surfaces and apps switch along with the system.
Why it’s useful
- Restore a macOS-like automatic theme schedule that improves readability and reduces eye strain at night.
- Per-target control: you can apply themes system-wide or limit to particular surfaces.
Practical caveats
- Some legacy Win32 apps ignore system theme flags and will not respect Light Switch; they may need restart or per-app settings to match the system theme. This is an OS and app behavior limitation, not a Light Switch bug.
- Scheduling depends on correct location/clock settings; verify your timezone and location permissions if Sunset-to-Sunrise behaves oddly.
6) Text Extractor — on-device OCR for grabbing text from the screen
Text Extractor performs OCR on a selected region of the screen and copies the recognized text to the clipboard. On Windows 11 this capability is also available in the Snipping Tool, but Text Extractor remains useful for Windows 10 users and for workflows that prefer PowerToys’ hotkeys. Invoke Text Extractor with Windows + Shift + T, draw a selection, and paste the resulting text.
Why it’s useful
- Extract text from images, PDFs, or video frames that don’t allow text selection.
- Fast and local OCR — text stays on your device by default.
Accuracy and privacy
- OCR quality varies by font, image contrast, and resolution; expect near-perfect results for clear, high-resolution text and diminishing accuracy for low-contrast or stylized fonts.
- PowerToys runs OCR locally by default; this reduces privacy risk compared with cloud OCR but verify settings if you install optional AI features that call external APIs.
Risk note
- Windows 11’s Snipping Tool now includes OCR; Text Extractor is primarily valuable for Windows 10 workflows or when you prefer PowerToys’ invocation and settings. Confirm which tool suits your OS and habit.
7) FancyZones — advanced window layouts and Workspaces
FancyZones is the deep-dive window manager in PowerToys. It allows you to create custom screen zones, snap windows into those zones, and recall layouts tuned to your monitor size — ideal for ultrawide displays or multi-monitor setups. FancyZones goes well beyond Windows Snap Layouts, letting you define multiple custom templates, spacing, and behavior when dragging windows between zones. Recent additions like Workspaces let you open and arrange groups of apps into a named layout for repeatable workflows.
Why it’s useful
- Replace repetitive window resizing with precise templates.
- Save and restore multi-application arrangements (Workspaces) to speed up context-switching between tasks.
How to get started
- Open FancyZones editor from PowerToys.
- Choose or create a layout template.
- Use Shift + Drag to place windows into zones or set up rules for apps to open in specific zones automatically.
Trade-offs
- FancyZones is powerful but has a learning curve. If you only occasionally arrange windows, Snap Layouts may be sufficient. For heavy multi-app workflows, FancyZones is unmatched.
Secondary PowerToys worth considering
- PowerRename: bulk rename files with regex-like search/replace. Great for photo libraries or code assets.
- Mouse Without Borders: share a keyboard and mouse across multiple PCs and copy/paste between them. Useful for desk setups with several machines.
- File Locksmith: right-click to discover which processes hold a file open and unlock it. Handy for stubborn deletions.
- Always On Top: pin a window above all others with Windows + Ctrl + T — small but handy for reference windows.
Security, privacy, and enterprise considerations
- Background footprint: PowerToys runs a background process and each enabled module consumes memory and may hook into input events (keyboard/mouse) or the clipboard. On modern hardware the overhead is typically modest, but on low-RAM devices enable only modules you use. Test memory and CPU behavior if you manage large fleets.
- Hotkey conflicts: PowerToys detects conflicts, but global remaps and launcher hotkeys can collide with app-specific shortcuts. After installation, immediately review the General > Shortcuts view to identify and resolve conflicts. Document remaps for users in managed environments.
- Clipboard and OCR privacy: Many PowerToys features interact with the clipboard and screen content. Text Extractor performs local OCR by default, which is a privacy advantage. However, features such as Advanced Paste offer optional AI transforms that may use external APIs and API keys; audit these options and ensure organizational policies for data transmission are followed.
- Admin deployment: For corporate rollout, prefer managed installers (winget or a signed Win32 package centrally deployed) and test compatibility with endpoint protection and device management policies. Some security products may flag global input hooks; coordinate with security teams.
Troubleshooting and best practices
- If a feature seems absent or behaves differently, check your PowerToys version and release notes: module names and defaults change across releases. Feature rollouts like Light Switch and Command Palette were introduced in recent updates, so version parity matters. Flag version-specific claims as time-sensitive and verify on the release notes page in your environment.
- When remapping keys or enabling Always On Top, test with the apps you use daily — some legacy applications may not react well to global hooks.
- Don’t enable every module “just in case.” PowerToys is modular for a reason: turn on only what you need to minimize resource use and reduce the attack surface of background services.
Verdict: who should install PowerToys and which modules to enable first
PowerToys is a rare case where Microsoft provides a well-maintained, open-source toolkit that genuinely improves daily Windows usage. For most users, the right starting set is:
- Run (or Command Palette) — keyboard launcher: instant productivity gains.
- Peek — quick previews to scan files quickly.
- Image Resizer — fast batch photo resizing.
- Keyboard Manager — if you have missing or awkward keys.
- Light Switch — if you want scheduled dark mode.
Power users and multi-monitor professionals should add FancyZones and Workspaces. Developers and admins should consider PowerRename and Mouse Without Borders for cross-device workflows. Always run a short trial period with the modules you enable to validate behavior with your apps and policies.
Final thoughts and future-proofing
PowerToys has matured into a practical productivity toolkit — it’s where Microsoft experiments with tightly scoped, high-value features that complement Windows rather than fight it. Its modular design, official GitHub presence, and Microsoft stewardship make it low risk for enthusiasts and reasonable to pilot in many professional settings. That said, keep the following in mind:
- Treat version-specific features and shortcuts as time-sensitive: verify the release notes before writing scripts or large-scale deployment instructions.
- Respect privacy and data governance when enabling AI-connected features; many PowerToys features are local by default, but optional integrations can route data externally.
- For managed fleets, test with security products and MDM profiles to ensure global hooks and input APIs are allowed.
PowerToys remains one of the highest-value, lowest-cost tweaks you can make to Windows 11. Pick the modules that solve real pain points for your daily workflow, use the selective enable model, and you’ll find small, repeatable time savings that compound into noticeably better computing days.
Conclusion
If your 2026 Windows 11 experience could use faster launching, better previews, simple image resizing, scheduled theming, quick OCR, ergonomic key fixes, or professional window layouts, PowerToys gives you those capabilities in a single, supported package. Install from the Microsoft Store for automatic updates or use GitHub/winget for controlled deployments, enable only what you need, and follow the guidance in this article to keep performance and privacy in check. The right PowerToys configuration turns Windows from “just functional” into a finely tuned productivity environment — and that’s a worthwhile upgrade for any power user or busy professional.
Source: TechRadar
https://www.techradar.com/computing...n-2026-using-powertoys-heres-how-you-can-too/