Windows 10: Microsoft releases first preview of PowerToys for Windows 10

The first public release of PowerToys is now available for download featuring the two utilities FanzyZones and Shortcuts Guide. Microsoft revealed in May 2019 that it wanted to revive PowerToys and make it open source in the process.

Veteran Windows users may remember PowerToys from the Windows 95 and Windows XP days; these lightweight tools introduced new features and options to the Windows systems: from adding virtual desktops and viewing Cab files to an advanced graphical calculator, resolution changer, and clock on the desktop.

The initial preview release of PowerToys features the two utilities FancyZones and Windows key shortcut guide.

Installation is straightforward. Download the PowerToys installer from the official project page on GitHub and execute it after the download. You may want to disable the autostart of the PowerToys during logon unless you plan to use them extensively.

An icon is placed in the system tray area when you launch PowerToys after installation. A click on it opens the settings which you may use to enable or disable individual utilities. If you only want to use FanzyZones, you could disable Shortcut Guide.



Each listed tool has an overview and video link attached to it. The links open pages on the project's GitHub site.

You may use both tools right away. A click on FanzyZones or Shortcut Guide in the interface displays how that is done as well as configuration options.

FanzyZones




FanzyZones is a window layouts tools that you may use to create zones on the desktop for window placement. The tool comes with five templates to choose from and an option to create custom templates.

The columns template divides the screen into three columns and if you hold down the Shift-key while moving a window, you will see these columns and may place the window in any of these. The window is then resized automatically once you let go of the mouse button.

You may create custom layouts from scratch but the process is not as straightforward as you would imagine. You need to create the zones individually by moving them around and resizing them; an option to create them on a grid instead would certainly optimize the process. Third-party programs like WindowGrid handle this better in my opinion.

FanzyZones comes with a handful of extra options. You may have it override the default Windows-Arrow hotkeys to place and resize windows automatically on the system. If you do, using the shortcut will move the windows between zones.

Other options include keeping windows in their zones when the screen resolution changes and to keep them when the FanzyZones layout changes.

Shortcut Guide




Shortcuts Guide displays available shortcuts when you hold down the Windows-key for 900 milliseconds. You can change the time to another value in the settings.

The guide launches a fullscreen interface that highlights the available shortcuts. Tech savvy users may be aware of most of these shortcuts already but it may be useful to users who never really used shortcuts before.

Closing Words


Microsoft plans to release additional tools in the future. Four of them are highlighted on the project page currently:

1. Batch file renamer
2. Animated gif screen recorder
3. Process termination tool.
4. Maximize to new desktop widget.

All tools are open source. Microsoft lists Windows 10 version 1803 as the minimum version to build and run PowerToys.

Now You: PowerToys are making a comeback; what is your take on that?

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Microsoft PowerToys rebooted in open source for Windows 10

Source: GitHub - microsoft/PowerToys: Windows system utilities to maximize productivity

 

Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 10 Consumer Preview for Windows 7

Microsoft released Internet Explorer 10 Consumer Preview for Windows 7, the only other operating system to support it, apart from Windows 8 and Windows RT, with which it made its stable debut last month, earning Mozilla's cake. Posted as "Pre-Release," the browser provides most functionality as its Windows 8 stable version. Most of its performance enhancements, including the ability to flip through pages in articles by swiping across a touchscreen, are available.





DOWNLOAD: Internet Explorer 10 Consumer Preview for Windows 7

 

Microsoft Announces Availability of Windows 8 Release Preview

Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Windows 8 Release Preview, the next milestone of the highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Available for download today in 14 languages at here, the Windows 8 Release Preview delivers a fast and fluid experience, along with a new user interface that responds equally well to touch as it does to keyboard and mouse. Since the February release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, which was downloaded more than 1 million times in the first 24 hours, Windows 8 has become the most tested Microsoft operating system of all time, and with today's release, it enters its final phase of development before it releases to manufacturing.

We're thrilled to be at this milestone with the Windows 8 Release Preview," said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft.

New Apps Provide an Even Richer Experience
Windows 8 Release Preview delivers new apps from Microsoft and partners. Highlights include Bing Travel, News and Sports apps, as well as Gaming and Music Xbox apps that integrate with your Zune pass. The Windows 8 Release Preview also features notable improvements to the Mail, Photos and People apps that initially debuted with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. In addition, Microsoft has worked closely with its partners to deliver apps from around the world through the Windows Store.

Beyond the new apps from Microsoft and partners, customers testing the Windows 8 Release Preview will also experience tens of thousands of refinements across the product, such as increased personalization options for the Start screen, improved multimonitor support, refinements to the way people find and download apps through the Windows Store, and new Family Safety features. The new Internet Explorer 10 redefines browsing, particularly for touch-enabled devices. The Web is as fast and fluid as any app, and with new capabilities in the Windows 8 Release Preview such as "flip ahead," it is just as intuitive. A touch-friendly and power-optimized Adobe Flash Player is now integrated into Internet Explorer 10, and it is also the first browser to feature Do Not Track "on" by default, giving customers more choice and control over their privacy.

The Path to Windows 8
Beginning June 2, 2012, Microsoft will roll out the Windows Upgrade Offer in 131 markets, including the U.S. and Canada. Consumers who buy eligible Windows 7-based PCs through Jan. 31, 2013, can purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $14.99 (U.S.) during the time of the promotion. More information about the Windows Upgrade Offer will be available June 1. In addition to the Windows Upgrade Offer designed for consumers buying new Windows 7-based PCs, Microsoft will also announce other offers in the coming months that will help consumers with existing Windows 7-based PCs upgrade to Windows 8 when it is generally available.

In the next month, Microsoft will further detail the value Windows 8 brings to businesses at TechEd North America.

For more information, visit this page.