![]() | |
Developer(s) | Microsoft |
---|---|
Initial release | 0.11.0 (Windows 10) / December 3, 2019[1] |
Stable release | 0.81.1 (Windows 10/11)
/ May 28, 2024[2]
|
Repository |
github |
Written in | C#, C++ and C |
Operating system | Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10, Windows 11 |
Platform | x86-64, ARM64 |
Type | System utilities |
License | Proprietary (Windows 95/XP), MIT License (Windows 10 and later) |
Website |
docs |
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities designed for power users developed by Microsoft for use on the Windows operating system. These programs add or change features to maximize productivity or add more customization. PowerToys are available for Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10 and Windows 11. [3] The PowerToys for Windows 10 and Windows 11 are free and open-source software licensed under the MIT License and hosted on GitHub.
PowerToys for Windows 95 was the first version of Microsoft PowerToys and included 15 tools for power users. It included Tweak UI, a system utility for tweaking the more obscure settings in Windows. In most cases, Tweak UI exposed settings that were otherwise only accessible by directly modifying Windows Registry. [4]
The following PowerToys for Windows 95 were available: [5]
PowerToys for Windows 95 were developed by the Windows Shell Development Team. Some of the tools work on later versions of Windows up to Windows XP, but others may interfere with newer built-in features on Windows 98, ME, and XP. [6]
After the success of the Windows 95 PowerToys, the Windows Kernel Development Team released another set of tools for power users called Windows 95 Kernel Toys. [7]
Six tools were included in this package: [8]
According to Raymond Chen, he wrote all of the Kernel Toys except for the Time Zone Editor, which came from the Windows NT Resource Kit. [9]
PowerToys for Windows XP was the second version of the PowerToys set and brought major changes from the Windows 95 version. The tools in this set were available as separate downloads rather than in a single package.
As of November 2009 [update], the following PowerToys for Windows XP were available: [10]
cube(x) = x * x * x
, and later it could be used in an expression like 5 + cube(4)
.
[11] It did not evaluate every time an operator was entered. Rather, the entire expression must be entered for calculation. In the Numeric mode, it presented a visual keypad, in all other modes the expression had to be typed in. A scrolling text area maintained a history of all calculations. The advanced view allowed declaring and graphing functions, along with a list of all the saved functions. A flyout window provided the option of choosing either a Cartesian co-ordinate system or polar co-ordinates. It could also save a list of variables for use in expression. Unit conversions of the following types were supported: length, mass, time, velocity, and temperature. PowerToy Calc had support for typing calculations using
Reverse Polish Notation (RPN). It could calculate up to 500 precision levels beyond the decimal point and supported
complex numbers.
[12]The following PowerToys for Windows XP were discontinued: [10]
Windows 10 received PowerToys four years after its release. On May 8, 2019, Microsoft relaunched PowerToys and made them open-source on GitHub. [20] The first preview release was available in September 2019, which included FancyZones and the Windows key shortcut guide. [21]
PowerToys for Windows 10 comes with the following utilities: [22]
PowerToys did not receive any releases supporting Windows Vista. Making equivalent calls to various Windows APIs were still possible though and enabling third-party applications to be implemented with the same, or a subset, of the original functionality. Additionally, among Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, none received official support.[ citation needed] Not accounting for time spent developing Windows Vista, PowerToys was not updated for over 12 years, before being re-released as open source software for Windows 10.
Microsoft also released PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition [37] and Windows XP Media Center Edition. [38]
A set of PowerToys for Windows Media Player was released as part of the Windows Media Player Bonus Pack (for Windows XP), consisting of five tools to "provide a variety of enhancements to Windows Media Player." [39] [40]
Finally, Microsoft has also released PowerToys for Windows Mobile, Visual Studio [41] [42] [43] and OneNote. [44] [45]
Internet Explorer 8 includes a redesigned Find On Page toolbar, which is activated by pressing Ctrl-F or choosing Find On Page from the Edit menu or Search box drop-down.
Cdburn.exe: ISO CD-ROM Burner Tool [~snip] Dvdburn.exe: ISO DVD Burner Tool
![]() | |
Developer(s) | Microsoft |
---|---|
Initial release | 0.11.0 (Windows 10) / December 3, 2019[1] |
Stable release | 0.81.1 (Windows 10/11)
/ May 28, 2024[2]
|
Repository |
github |
Written in | C#, C++ and C |
Operating system | Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10, Windows 11 |
Platform | x86-64, ARM64 |
Type | System utilities |
License | Proprietary (Windows 95/XP), MIT License (Windows 10 and later) |
Website |
docs |
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities designed for power users developed by Microsoft for use on the Windows operating system. These programs add or change features to maximize productivity or add more customization. PowerToys are available for Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10 and Windows 11. [3] The PowerToys for Windows 10 and Windows 11 are free and open-source software licensed under the MIT License and hosted on GitHub.
PowerToys for Windows 95 was the first version of Microsoft PowerToys and included 15 tools for power users. It included Tweak UI, a system utility for tweaking the more obscure settings in Windows. In most cases, Tweak UI exposed settings that were otherwise only accessible by directly modifying Windows Registry. [4]
The following PowerToys for Windows 95 were available: [5]
PowerToys for Windows 95 were developed by the Windows Shell Development Team. Some of the tools work on later versions of Windows up to Windows XP, but others may interfere with newer built-in features on Windows 98, ME, and XP. [6]
After the success of the Windows 95 PowerToys, the Windows Kernel Development Team released another set of tools for power users called Windows 95 Kernel Toys. [7]
Six tools were included in this package: [8]
According to Raymond Chen, he wrote all of the Kernel Toys except for the Time Zone Editor, which came from the Windows NT Resource Kit. [9]
PowerToys for Windows XP was the second version of the PowerToys set and brought major changes from the Windows 95 version. The tools in this set were available as separate downloads rather than in a single package.
As of November 2009 [update], the following PowerToys for Windows XP were available: [10]
cube(x) = x * x * x
, and later it could be used in an expression like 5 + cube(4)
.
[11] It did not evaluate every time an operator was entered. Rather, the entire expression must be entered for calculation. In the Numeric mode, it presented a visual keypad, in all other modes the expression had to be typed in. A scrolling text area maintained a history of all calculations. The advanced view allowed declaring and graphing functions, along with a list of all the saved functions. A flyout window provided the option of choosing either a Cartesian co-ordinate system or polar co-ordinates. It could also save a list of variables for use in expression. Unit conversions of the following types were supported: length, mass, time, velocity, and temperature. PowerToy Calc had support for typing calculations using
Reverse Polish Notation (RPN). It could calculate up to 500 precision levels beyond the decimal point and supported
complex numbers.
[12]The following PowerToys for Windows XP were discontinued: [10]
Windows 10 received PowerToys four years after its release. On May 8, 2019, Microsoft relaunched PowerToys and made them open-source on GitHub. [20] The first preview release was available in September 2019, which included FancyZones and the Windows key shortcut guide. [21]
PowerToys for Windows 10 comes with the following utilities: [22]
PowerToys did not receive any releases supporting Windows Vista. Making equivalent calls to various Windows APIs were still possible though and enabling third-party applications to be implemented with the same, or a subset, of the original functionality. Additionally, among Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, none received official support.[ citation needed] Not accounting for time spent developing Windows Vista, PowerToys was not updated for over 12 years, before being re-released as open source software for Windows 10.
Microsoft also released PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition [37] and Windows XP Media Center Edition. [38]
A set of PowerToys for Windows Media Player was released as part of the Windows Media Player Bonus Pack (for Windows XP), consisting of five tools to "provide a variety of enhancements to Windows Media Player." [39] [40]
Finally, Microsoft has also released PowerToys for Windows Mobile, Visual Studio [41] [42] [43] and OneNote. [44] [45]
Internet Explorer 8 includes a redesigned Find On Page toolbar, which is activated by pressing Ctrl-F or choosing Find On Page from the Edit menu or Search box drop-down.
Cdburn.exe: ISO CD-ROM Burner Tool [~snip] Dvdburn.exe: ISO DVD Burner Tool