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Guide · Open source

How to use PowerToys: install, FancyZones, PowerRename and more

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Microsoft PowerToys is a free, open-source set of over 30 small utilities for Windows, published by Microsoft. This guide explains how to install it and how to use the utilities people reach for most: window layout, batch renaming, color picking and key remapping. By the end you will know which utility fits a task and how to get it running.

PowerToysmicrosoft/PowerToys · ★ 140k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install PowerToys. Run the WinGet command for user scope, or the machine-wide command if you want a shared install.
  2. 2Open PowerToys settings. Launch PowerToys and review the list of utilities in its settings.
  3. 3Enable only what you need. Turn on the utilities that match your task, such as FancyZones, PowerRename or Color Picker.
  4. 4Set up FancyZones. Define zones for your monitors and snap windows into them.
  5. 5Try PowerRename on a copy. Rename a test folder of files first to confirm the pattern works.
  6. 6Check the release notes. Use the GitHub release notes to see what has changed in newer versions.

Install PowerToys with WinGet

The README lists several install routes: downloading the .exe from the GitHub releases page, installing from the Microsoft Store, WinGet, or community tools such as Chocolatey and Scoop. The WinGet route is a single command in PowerShell or the command line.

WinGet installs to the user scope by default. Updates via WinGet keep the scope of your existing installation. If you want a machine-wide install, use the second command.

  • User scope (default): run the first command.
  • Machine-wide scope: run the second command.
  • For detailed installation instructions and system requirements, see the official installation docs linked from the README.
winget install Microsoft.PowerToys -s winget winget install --scope machine Microsoft.PowerToys -s winget

Choose the utilities you need

PowerToys is a bundle, so you do not need to use all of it. Each utility adds one capability and is listed in the README table, including Advanced Paste, Always on Top, Awake, Color Picker, FancyZones, Keyboard Manager, Image Resizer, PowerRename, PowerToys Run, Screen Ruler, Text Extractor and Workspaces, among others.

Start with the one that matches your task rather than enabling everything at once.

  • Window layout and multiple monitors: FancyZones
  • Renaming many files: PowerRename
  • Picking colors from the screen: Color Picker
  • Measuring on-screen distances: Screen Ruler
  • Remapping keys and quick launching: Keyboard Manager and PowerToys Run

Arrange windows with FancyZones

FancyZones arranges windows into zones. It is aimed at people with multi-monitor setups or who want a consistent window layout. Enable it from the PowerToys settings, then define zones for your screens.

The README describes FancyZones only as a window-zoning utility, so check the official PowerToys documentation for the exact steps to define and snap to zones.

Batch rename files with PowerRename

PowerRename renames many files at once. It suits anyone who needs to change naming patterns across a folder rather than renaming files one by one.

Use it on a copy of important files first, so you can check the result before you commit to a large batch.

Pick colors and measure the screen

Color Picker lets you pick a color from anywhere on screen, which is useful for designers and developers. Screen Ruler measures distances on screen. Both are listed in the README utilities table.

Remap keys with Keyboard Manager

Keyboard Manager remaps keys, which suits power users who want their keyboard to behave differently. PowerToys Run is the quick launcher bundled with the package. Remapping changes how keys behave system-wide, so test a mapping carefully before relying on it.

What people use it for

  • Snapping browser and editor windows into fixed zones on a wide monitor
  • Renaming a folder of photos or scanned documents with one pattern
  • Picking an exact screen color for a design or web page
  • Measuring pixel distances on screen with Screen Ruler
  • Remapping a key on a keyboard for a more comfortable layout

Frequently asked questions

Is PowerToys free?

Yes. PowerToys is open source under the MIT licence, and the README describes it as a free, open-source collection of utilities.

How do I install PowerToys?

The README gives WinGet as one option: run winget install Microsoft.PowerToys -s winget for a user-scope install, or add --scope machine for a machine-wide install. You can also download the .exe from GitHub releases or install from the Microsoft Store.

Does PowerToys work on Mac or Linux?

No. The README describes PowerToys as Windows utilities only, so it is not for macOS or Linux users.

What are the PowerToys system requirements?

The README does not list prerequisites and points to the official installation docs for system requirements. Check those docs before installing.

Is there official support for PowerToys?

The README points to documentation, the blog and community resources rather than a support guarantee. Use the official docs and GitHub for help.

What are good alternatives to PowerToys?

The comparable projects listed here are AutoHotkey for scripting, Microsoft Windows Terminal, GlazeWM for tiling windows and Everything for file search. Each covers a narrower job than PowerToys.

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Our verdict

PowerToys suits Windows users who want window layout tools, batch renaming, color picking or key remapping in one free package. If you use macOS or Linux, or want a minimal system with no extra utilities, pick a narrower tool such as AutoHotkey or GlazeWM instead.

Install options & downloads