Windows Snap vs FancyZones: Choosing a Window Layout Tool
Windows Snap or FancyZones? Compare built-in layouts with custom zones, spacing and per-monitor arrangements to decide how much setup you need.
Read guide →Make everyday PC tasks easier with PowerToys and text shortcuts
Choose one repeated action and enable the feature that fits it. Arranging windows, launching apps and replacing input are separate tasks, so start with the result you need.
Before choosing a task
- Identify the repeated action and target app, recording current keys or settings.
- Try a small example in an ordinary app and check for shortcut conflicts.
- Check how to stop the feature and restore its settings.
Compare the options
Follow the steps
Batch rename files with sequential numbers using PowerRename
Batch rename files with numbering in PowerRename. Review the target order, replacement and name collisions in preview before applying or undoing the change.
Read guide →Back up PowerToys settings and verify restoration while preserving the current state
Use the backup controls in PowerToys General settings, preserve the pre-test state, and check representative input and window behavior. Documents and pictures need their own backup.
Read guide →Distinguish shortcuts from actual files: inspect target and working folder
Inspect a Windows shortcut target and locate the original. Distinguish copying a link from copying data, examine working directories and diagnose references broken after a move.
Read guide →Keep a reference window on top with PowerToys and unpin it when finished
Use Win+Ctrl+T to pin a reference, inspect its border, exclusions and conflicts and understand interactions with other topmost windows.
Read guide →Use PowerToys Awake for a timed task and separate display power from sleep
Configure a 30-minute request, Keep screen on and timer behavior, and understand locking and restoration boundaries.
Read guide →Capture screen colors as HEX or RGB with PowerToys Color Picker
Use Win+Shift+C and check HEX/RGB formats, history, edge pixels, destination syntax and HDR/wide-gamut boundaries.
Read guide →Measure on-screen width and spacing in pixels with PowerToys Screen Ruler
Open with Win+Ctrl+Shift+M and measure bounds/gaps, handling tolerance, snapshots, continuous capture and comparable conditions.
Read guide →Highlight a lost mouse pointer with PowerToys Mouse Utilities
Locate the pointer across displays, dismiss the spotlight and distinguish click highlighting, activation and accidental triggers.
Read guide →Remap a shortcut for one app with PowerToys Keyboard Manager
Map Ctrl+Alt+J to Ctrl+Home in Notepad, checking process targeting, global scope, runtime and recovery.
Read guide →Enter accented characters from PowerToys Quick Accent candidates
Use an A-and-Space example, select candidates and handle character sets, activation timing, conflicts and disabling.
Read guide →Save an application launch set and layout with PowerToys Workspaces
Create a two-app workspace using capture, exclusions, editing and launch status, with existing-window, argument and data boundaries.
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