These FREE Windows Tools Just Made My Life 10x Easier! | PowerToys Tutorial

Greg Trzeciak from Pragmatic Works introduces Windows PowerToys, a free and powerful tool designed to save time and enhance productivity. In this tutorial, Greg walks through the installation process and highlights five of the most useful PowerToys features for Windows users.

1. Installation and Setup

• Windows PowerToys can be easily installed from the Microsoft Store or via PowerShell.
• Visit the Microsoft PowerToys page for installation instructions.
• Once installed, you can customize the tool through the settings page.

2. Advanced Paste

One of the standout features Greg highlights is Advanced Paste. This tool allows users to paste content in different formats such as plain text, Markdown, or JSON, all from a simple shortcut. By pressing Windows + Shift + V, users can cycle through their clipboard history and paste the content in their desired format.

3. Color Picker

Another great tool within PowerToys is the Color Picker, which allows users to quickly grab a color from anywhere on the screen. By pressing Windows + Shift + C, users can capture color values, making it especially useful for designers who need to match colors across different applications like PowerBI or PowerApps.

4. Always On Top

The Always On Top feature is perfect for users who need to keep certain windows visible at all times. By pressing Windows + Control + T, you can pin any window above others, helping to organize your workspace effectively.

5. PowerToys Run

PowerToys Run is a powerful search bar that appears when you press Alt + Space. This feature allows you to quickly search for and open apps, documents, and files, making navigation faster and more efficient compared to using the Start Menu or Taskbar.

6. ZoomIt for Presentations

ZoomIt is a presentation tool that allows users to zoom in on a specific area of the screen or draw on it. This is perfect for educators or presenters who need to emphasize certain parts of their slides. To zoom in, simply press Control + 1, and to draw, press Control + 2.

Bonus: Quick Accent

For those working with multiple languages, PowerToys also includes the Quick Accent feature. This feature allows you to quickly add accent marks to letters by pressing the desired letter and navigating through options using the spacebar and arrow keys.

Conclusion

With tools like Advanced Paste, Color Picker, and PowerToys Run, Windows PowerToys can significantly enhance your productivity. Greg Trzeciak encourages viewers to dive deeper into PowerToys, offering a comprehensive learning experience through Pragmatic Works' on-demand training platform. Don't forget to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more tips and tutorials!

Stay pragmatic, and streamline your workflow with Windows PowerToys!

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on  Mircrosoft Powertoys and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.