With Windows 11 release nearing, after Microsoft Edge, Microsoft released useful PowerToys to Microsoft Store. So, you no longer need to visit Github to download and install it. It’s your turn to use utilities and improve productivity in Windows 11.
What is PowerToys?
Have you ever heard about PowerToys? They used to be available for Windows 95, Microsoft recently refreshed them for Windows 10 for power users to customize, improve the experience, and productivity on OS.
The PowerToys collection includes awesome Windows utilities such as Awake, color picker, FancyZones, PowerToys run PowerReanme, Fancyzones, Shortcut Guide, VideoConference Mute.
Microsoft and PowerToys team together redesigned PowerToys and PowerToys PowerRename to match the look and feel of Windows 11.
How to download PowerToys?
1. Head to PowerToys release page on Github
2. Click on Assets, and then click on the PowerToys setup file to download the PowerToys installer.
Github is for developers where they host their apps. For end-users, it is an unknown place.
The process of discovering and downloading the PowerToys Setup file could be difficult for users who don’t know how to navigate through project files on Github.
Install PowerToys via Microsoft Store
This problem is now solved with the availability of PowerToys in the Microsoft Store. Do note, you require Windows 11.
Microsoft may bring PowerToys to Windows 10 Store also, but it may take time.
One of the benefits of using Store App means, It gets updated automatically without requiring user action, however, in the case of PowerToys, as with the initial listing, the following stands
- PoweerToys runs its regular installer
- It needs additional permissions while installing. For instance, you may be required to accept the UAC dialog to install App in Windows 11.
- Furthermore, PowerToys doesn’t get automatically updated via the store.
These things may change in the future.
After installing, search for “PowerToys” in Start and launch it. When you open Settings, you’ll be asked to run PowerToys as administrator, click on the “Restart..” button in its Settings Window.
Note: PowerToys on Store and Github work like the same, it contains an equal number of utilities. Microsoft Store is just another destination/source to download PowerToys.
If you’re using Windows 11 Dev channel, give the app go: aka.ms/getPowerToys
Which PowerToys utility do you like and use most in daily workflow? Let us know in the comments below.
More on Windows 11:
Windows 11 Virtual Machines now require TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
First look at Refreshed Tips App in Windows 11
