Microsoft PowerToys shrinks in size but grows in power
The latest version of PowerToys is much smaller than its predecessor.
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What you need to know
Microsoft’s PowerToys is a versatile utility with a long list of tools. It can do everything from renaming multiple files at once to managing massive monitors with FancyZones. As the capabilities of the app have grown over time, so has its size. But the latest update to PowerToys shrinks things down without taking away any features.
Version 0.72 of PowerToys takes up 785 MB in the installed apps screen compared to its previous 1.15 GB. The size in File Explorer properties dropped from 3.10 GB to 554 MB with the update. That reduction was accomplished by having utilities share an installed path.
The update also adds a value generator for creating hashes and GUID values and a mouse highlighter for keeping track of your cursor. PowerRename has also been improved to handle more files at once without crashing.
Here are the highlights of what’s new in the latest update:
The full change log for the update is quite extensive. The PowerToys team always shares a detailed list of changes, fixes, and known issues onGitHub.
PowerToys | Free
PowerToys includes a collection of utilities aimed at power users on Windows. Its most recent version is much smaller than previous versions, but it still has an expansive feature set.
Microsoft Store|GitHub
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
