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PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

fourth-wall.co.uk

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Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#301
post #290
post #67

I found that IT at work wouldn't let me install powertoys because they didn't like the Awake feature. Please bundle these in of allow us to install them one by one.

Doesn't every browser also come with this feature when playing (for example) a youtube video? Seems like the horse has left the barn.

Youtube is blocked on many corporate networks.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#302
post #301
post #290

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't every browser also come with this feature when playing (for example) a youtube video? Seems like the horse has left the barn.

Youtube is blocked on many corporate networks.

Any video will do. I hear having an open powerpoint presentation will also keep a device awake. Presumably Microsoft office is a mandatory install on such dystopian environments.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#303

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…

For Run some or the the reasons I have it installed everywhere are:

> What does PowerToys Run do that the standard WIN+R run dialog doesn't?

-- Autocomplete

-- Search files, settings, services, the registy and more (all of these can be enabled, disabled or assigned to a shortcut e.g. settings is $ for me)

-- Open windows terminal with specific shell

-- Walk open windows, allow you to search currently open applications and browsers

> Or just hitting the WIN key to get the search dialog?

-- Not constantly try and open Bing and/or Edge

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#304
post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You want to switch to an already running app? Alt tab or win tab doesnt do that?

It does, but I want to do it with an Alfred-like switcher. The problem with *-tab is that each application has no fixed place in that space. So on every invocation I have to look, find, switch. Contrast with bringing up Mail using Alfred. The behaviour is always the same, and therefore muscle-memory-learnable: Cmd+space, ma, return. Messages: Cmd+space, me, return. Near-instant for me because I've done it literally t…

I wrote a bash script for this and binded it to some key commands in Linux Mint. Winkey+T will launch a terminal if nothing is open, or cycle through terminals if there are any open. I have other keys for other programs. I'm relatively new to Mac, looks like I need to check out Alfred.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#305

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…

https://keypirinha.com/

Wow, a closed-source blob which deeply integrates with your operating system. What could go wrong..

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#306

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Key shortcut remapping should absolutely be a base feature of every single OS for accessibility reasons. Back when I used to use Adobe Fireworks there was a shortcut for flattening the current selection, I believe it was cmd+ctrl+shift+Z and I'm pressing this hundreds of times a week and eventually it gave me RSI. After this happened I remapped it to cmd+F, luckily the app had the ability to do that but honestly I co…

In macOS at least you can remap any key as well as keyboard shortcut (both globally and per-app) from the built in OS keyboard preferences. The only thing it requires is that the thing you want to change has a "menu item" (so a named thing in the top menu bar in any of the submenus). Hotkey mapping works by simply mapping to any of the texts in those (sub) menus, however deep you want to go. The great thing about it…

I know and love this feature and have used to to remap many things across my apps.

Just frustrates me other OSes don’t match this bar that I consider the bare minimum.

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#308
post #302
post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Youtube is blocked on many corporate networks.

Any video will do. I hear having an open powerpoint presentation will also keep a device awake. Presumably Microsoft office is a mandatory install on such dystopian environments.

Ah didn’t know about PowerPoint.

> dystopian environments

Some places block streaming purely because it clogs the VPNs if they route everything through the in house infra

Depends on how locked down the security setup is. The more sensitive the info the worse it is

Re: PowerToys – open-source Windows utilities

#310
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…

Support costs. They don't help enough people to justify the problems that would pop up. The people who download Power Toys can probably take care of themselves.

PowerToys broke Zoom for me once with the new mute meeting button. I thought it was my headset being finicky. After some swapping in and out devices, googling and looking at Github issues, I had to uninstall and remove an emulated camera in the hardware manager to resolve it. I haven't reinstalled, it ain't perfect.
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