Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Windows Central
Microsoft PowerToys just added the perfect tool for multi-monitor setups
By Sean Endicott,
4 days ago
What you need to know
Microsoft PowerToys has a new utility that allows you to launch a set of apps in a custom layout.
The tool, called PowerToys Workspaces, supports saving a layout of applications and launching them with a single click through Workspaces Editor or a desktop shortcut.
The same update that adds PowerToys Workspaces includes several other improvements to PowerToys, including the addition of multiple measurements in the Screen Ruler utility.
Microsoft shipped an update to PowerToys this week that adds a powerful new utility to the app. PowerToys Workspaces allows you to save a layout of applications on your desktop that can be launched with a single click. You can customize window sizes and positions to create a workspace that you can come back to instantly. The utility could prove especially useful for those with multi-monitors setups.
The most recent update brings PowerToys to version 0.84.0 . As is usually the case, the change log for the update is rather extensive, though there aren't any other new features or changes as noteworthy as the addition of PowerToys Workspaces.
This collection of utilities includes a large library of features to enhance the Windows experience. PowerToys is designed with power users in mind, but it has handy features for people who just use their PC for everyday computing too.
New utility: PowerToys Workspaces - this utility can launch a set of applications to a custom layout and configuration on the desktop. App arrangements can be saved as a workspace and then relaunched with one click from the Workspaces Editor or from a desktop shortcut. In the editor, app configuration can be customized using CLI arguments and "launch as admin" modifiers, and app window sizes and positions can be updated as desired. This is our first public version of Workspaces and we are excited for you to try it out for yourself! Make sure to file issues you encounter on our GitHub so the team can continue to improve the utility.
Known issues - the team is actively working on fixing these:
Apps that launch as admin are unable to be repositioned to the desired layout.
Border of "Remove" / "Add Back" app button in editor is not clearly visible on light themes.
Added Awake --use-parent-pid CLI argument to attach to parent process. Thanks @dend !
Added custom actions - user-specified pre-defined prompts for the AI model. Additionally, actions (both standard and custom) are now searchable from prompt box and Ctrl + number in-app shortcuts are now applicable for first 9 search results.
Ported all C++/CX code to C++/WinRT as part of a refactor and upgrade series aimed at enabling AOT (Ahead of Time) compilation for enhanced performance and reduced disk footprint.
General
Added DSC support for ImageResizer resize sizes property.
Advanced Paste
Added custom actions - user-specified pre-defined prompts for the AI model. Additionally, actions (both standard and custom) are now searchable from prompt box and Ctrl + number in-app shortcuts are now applicable for first 9 search results.
Awake
Added --use-parent-pid CLI argument to attach to parent process and fixed issue causing tray icon to disappear. Thanks @dend!
Hosts File Editor
Fixed save failure when the hosts file is hidden. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
File Explorer add-ons
Fixed multiple preview form positioning issues causing floating, detached windows, CoreWebView2 related exception and process leak. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
Keyboard Manager
Convert RemapBufferRow to a struct with descriptive field names. Thanks @masaru-iritani!
Moved number superscripts and subscripts from Portuguese to all languages definition. Thanks @octastylos-pseudodipteros !
PowerRename
Updated the tooltip text of the replace box info button. Thanks @Agnibaan!
PowerToys Run
Fixed window positioning on start-up introduced in 0.83.
Improved default web browser detection. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
Fixed volume ounces conversion to support both imperial and metric. Thanks @GhostVaibhav!
Fixed thread-safety issue causing results not to be shown on first launch.
Screen Ruler
Added multiple measurements support for all measuring tools.
Settings
Improved disabled animations InfoBar in Find My Mouse page. Thanks @davidegiacometti!
Workspaces
New utility: PowerToys Workspaces - this utility can launch a set of applications to a custom layout and configuration on the desktop. App arrangements can be saved as a workspace and then relaunched with one click from the Workspaces Editor or from a desktop shortcut. In the editor, app configuration can be customized using CLI arguments and "launch as admin" modifiers, and app window sizes and positions can be updated as desired. This is our first public version of Workspaces and we are excited for you to try it out for yourself! Make sure to file issues you encounter on our GitHub so the team can continue to improve the utility.
Documentation
Added ChatGPTPowerToys plugin mention to thirdPartyRunPlugins.md. Thanks @ferraridavide!
Development
Ported all C++/CX code to C++/WinRT.
Moved Version.props import to Directory.Build.props.
Extracted self-containment related .csproj properties to src/Common.SelfContained.props.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0