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PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

fourth-wall.co.uk

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Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#271

Post by iCarrot »

FractalHQ wrote: post #242

One thing that I really miss on my Windows machine that I took for granted on my MacBook- system-wide dark theme. The Windows 11 dark theme is terrible. 90% of ui windows are still pure white (and blinding late at night). Browsers don’t seem to pick up on it, so websites don’t either. Is there any reliable way to get a real dark mode on Windows 11? On my MacBook, one hotkey changes every app, native window, and (mode…

Give high contrast mode a try, when enabled it will force native UI and websites to look nearly the same.

Should be available under Setting app -> Accessibility -> Vision -> Contrast theme

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#272

Post by ripley12 »

bschne wrote: post #115

These are great, but with some of them I cannot help but wonder why MSFT would choose not to include them in the OS by default. They seem fairly unobtrusive and like they wouldn't add too much complexity to the product in return for what you get in terms of better usability and/or additional functionality. Of course you could argue that you always have to be very careful not to overload and bloat your software produc…

PowerToys is able to grow, experiment and evolve much more quickly as a standalone application because shipping something inside Windows is hard. The OS has a very long support and compatibility guarantee that makes it extremely difficult to iterate and ship features quickly. The .NET team is pretty open about how being coupled to Windows for a long time held .NET back.

Also, my understanding is that PowerToys is sort of an incubator; successful experiments may eventually make it into Windows itself.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#273

Post by Crespyl »

indymike wrote: post #90
loeg wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

KDE has Windows-style snap-to-halves or quarters by default. If you’re happy with those basic zones, it definitely works well. I don’t know if there’s a way to configure more complex zones.

KWin Scripts is where all the magic snapping is hiding in KDE.

I'm a huge fan of Khronkite myself, it's a quite competent tiling script that still plays nice with floating windows and all the standard KWin behaviors.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#275

Post by ripley12 »

NelsonMinar wrote: post #164

PowerToys Run is fantastic as an app launcher. Not quite as good as Alfred on MacOS but then nothing is. There's a bunch of similar apps for Windows (I used to use Hain) but none ever worked quite right for me, PowerToys Run does though. FancyZones is awfully nice too for just putting a window somewhere at a reasonable size and location. As other folks have noted SysInternals is another similar rogue Windows product…

The Sysinternals suite is incredible; acquiring Sysinternals and maintaining the tools is one of the best things the Windows team has ever done.

I don't love everything about Windows these days, and I've mostly switched away from it. But Process Explorer and Process Monitor are a lovely reminder that it's still a powerful OS, and tools don't have to be text-first to cater to power users.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#277

Post by laserbeam »

Falkon1313 wrote: post #249
NelsonMinar wrote: post #164

PowerToys Run is fantastic as an app launcher. Not quite as good as Alfred on MacOS but then nothing is. There's a bunch of similar apps for Windows (I used to use Hain) but none ever worked quite right for me, PowerToys Run does though. FancyZones is awfully nice too for just putting a window somewhere at a reasonable size and location. As other folks have noted SysInternals is another similar rogue Windows product…

What does PowerToys Run do that the standard WIN+R run dialog doesn't? Or just hitting the WIN key to get the search dialog? I'm kind of a power user, since the C64 and DOS 3.3 days, and I find that Windows' current built-in stuff always works well for me. Never seen a need for a separate launcher app. Also wonder about that FancyZones. I love how easily Windows makes basic window and desktop management - shortcuts l…

> What does PowerToys Run do that the standard WIN+R run dialog doesn't? Or just hitting the WIN key to get the search dialog?

It's more reliable and predictable. The standard windows search often prioritizes online searches vs searching through your files. Even when I type in math, sometimes it gives me bing results instead of just solving the math. Especially for subtractions.

Having online searches in the start menu is cool, but I want that 15% of the time I search, Not 80%.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#278

Post by vxNsr »

drakenot wrote: post #119

Anyone have a good “Push to Talk” utility for windows? This PowerTools has something close but not exactly what I’m looking for. I’ve gotten used to PTT in apps like Ventrilo / Discord and hate having to constantly unmute / remute in Teams.

I got a headset that mutes when I move the mic up and unmutes when I move it back down: jabra evolve2 65, comes in mono and stereo. If you want an over-ear option they have evolve2 85 but that's like $500

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#279

Post by vort3 »

efreak wrote: post #269
NelsonMinar wrote: post #164

PowerToys Run is fantastic as an app launcher. Not quite as good as Alfred on MacOS but then nothing is. There's a bunch of similar apps for Windows (I used to use Hain) but none ever worked quite right for me, PowerToys Run does though. FancyZones is awfully nice too for just putting a window somewhere at a reasonable size and location. As other folks have noted SysInternals is another similar rogue Windows product…

If you're looking for a lightweight, non indexed launcher (ie, needs to be configured with names and paths), I can't recommend SlickRun enough. It uses incredibly few resources, and can display free memory, etc.

Maybe not as lightweight, but I can't imagine myself using windows without Keypirinha anymore.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#280

Post by st0le »

1vonzhang wrote: post #209
NelsonMinar wrote: post #164

PowerToys Run is fantastic as an app launcher. Not quite as good as Alfred on MacOS but then nothing is. There's a bunch of similar apps for Windows (I used to use Hain) but none ever worked quite right for me, PowerToys Run does though. FancyZones is awfully nice too for just putting a window somewhere at a reasonable size and location. As other folks have noted SysInternals is another similar rogue Windows product…

Listary is pretty much the best I've encounter on Windows. Fuzzy search for all applications & files with dynamic ranking of results based on usage habit + possible customization with search engines. When I'm on a laptop of someone else, Listary is the one that I miss so much.

Fair warning to everyone reading this. Listary is now effectively abandonware.
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