Microsoft's PowerToys has received a Windows 11-inspired facelift in the latest 0.93 update, showcasing new features.
Microsoft's PowerToys has received a major update, bringing version 0.93. This release introduces significant optimizations and new features, particularly for the Command Palette utility.
The Command Palette, a key component of PowerToys, has seen substantial improvements. Load time for the Command Palette has been reduced by 40%, making it faster and more efficient. Moreover, the update has resulted in a 55% reduction in installation size, a 15% decrease in startup memory usage, and a 40% faster window load time. Built-in extensions loading time has been reduced by an impressive 70%.
Functional enhancements have also been made. The clipboard history has been reintroduced, allowing users to easily access their previous copy-pasted data. Keyboard shortcuts for context menus have been added, improving navigation and usability. Users can now pin their favourite applications for quicker access, and history support has been implemented within the run command extension.
The update resolves over 99 issues related to the Command Palette, improving its reliability and user experience.
In addition to these improvements, the settings section in PowerToys has been redesigned for easier navigation. Quick launching, shortcuts, and utility toggles have been separated for better visibility in the settings dashboard. The new settings dashboard resembles the Windows 11 Settings homepage, offering a more intuitive user interface.
Other changes include a new Spotlight mode in Mouse Highlighter, where the entire screen dims, leaving only the area around the mouse highlighted. Users have control over the dimming color and transparency in this mode.
The update also brings a new interface for the app's settings section and includes a number of fixes. Shorter CI, fuzzing, and UI test timeouts have been implemented, reducing them from 4 hours to 90 minutes. Updated and expanded developer documentation has been added to aid developers in utilising these new features effectively.
Lastly, UI test coverage has been expanded for Command Palette, Advanced Paste, Peek, Text Extractor, and PowerRename, ensuring a smoother user experience.
These changes make the Command Palette faster, more memory-efficient, and more feature-rich, significantly boosting productivity and user interaction.
- The Command Palette, a vital feature of Microsoft's PowerToys, has been optimized following the 0.93 update, providing a 40% reduction in load time for increased efficiency.
- The update also brings a significant reduction in installation size for the Command Palette, amounting to a 55% decrease, alongside a 40% faster window load time.
- Reintegrated with updates, the clipboard history in the PowerToys utility can now help users easily access their previous copy-pasted data.
- Microsoft's PowerToys software, including the Command Palette, Xbox, and PC apps, could potentially benefit from the Windows 11 update, due to improved technology and enhanced user experience.
