Discover the latest Microsoft PowerToys v0.71.0 release with new features, bug fixes, and improved utilities for enhanced productivity on Windows.- Story published by Kunal Chowdhury on .
Microsoft has unveiled the latest version of PowerToys, version 0.71.0, packed with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. PowerToys is a set of utilities designed to enhance productivity and provide additional functionality for Windows users.
Let's take a closer look at the highlights of this release and explore the improvements made across various modules.
One of the notable additions in PowerToys v0.71.0 is the support for previewing archive files with Peek, thanks to the contribution by @davidegiacometti. This feature allows users to quickly glance through the contents of archived files without having to extract them. It offers a convenient way to access the information stored in compressed files.
Several bug fixes have been implemented in this release. PT Run, one of the popular PowerToys modules, no longer crashes due to a missing App.Dark.png file. Moreover, a crash related to non-thread-safe results update has been addressed, ensuring a more stable and reliable experience for users.
The PowerToys team has focused on improving the overall user experience in this release. The Settings app has received a modernized title bar and styling, aligning it with the Windows 11 guidelines. This enhancement, contributed by @niels9001, brings a more visually cohesive look and feel to the application.
In addition to these highlights, a range of general improvements has been made. Issues like an infinite loop caused by a global event not being reset, runner lag due to update checks running on the main thread, and network errors when checking for updates on virtual machines have been resolved. These fixes contribute to a smoother and more efficient operation of PowerToys.
Several module-specific enhancements have been introduced as well. For example, in ColorPicker, the color history is now stored in a separate file, allowing for better organization and access to previously selected colors. FancyZones now supports using the middle click to toggle multiple zones spanning, thanks to the contribution by @BasitAli. This feature simplifies the management of layouts and improves productivity for multi-window workflows.
The File Locksmith module now provides a setting to show only in the extended context menu, streamlining the options presented to users. Developer files preview support has been expanded in the File Explorer add-ons, enabling users to preview files such as .vsconfig, .sln, .vcproj, .vbproj, .fsproj, and .vcxproj files. Several bug fixes have been implemented in this module as well, addressing issues related to layout reset, default layout application, and preview pane flickering, thanks to contributions by @Aaron-Junker and @tanchekwei.
The Hosts module has undergone several improvements, including the addition of keyboard shortcuts, a setting to select the file encoding and fixes related to parsing commented lines and handling entries with more than 9 hosts per entry. These enhancements, contributed by @davidegiacometti, enhance the usability and flexibility of the module.
The ImageResizer module now includes an Enter key event handler when setting the width and height of a new custom size, improving the efficiency of resizing images. Meanwhile, the Installer module has resolved issues related to PowerToys Plugin installation and missing Mouse Without Borders service after an upgrade.
Mouse Without Borders, a module that enables seamless mouse and keyboard sharing across multiple computers, has seen numerous fixes in this release. These include addressing device layout issues, fixing cursor hiding behavior, resolving sleep mode prevention, and ensuring proper handling of shortcut keys. The module works without the service if it fails to start properly, and the focus issue related to "Hide mouse at the screen edge" has been resolved.
Peek, another PowerToys module, has undergone various improvements in PowerToys v0.71.0. It now offers improved file preview capabilities, including support for additional file types such as .vsconfig, .sln, .vcproj, .vbproj, .fsproj, and .vcxproj files. Additionally, Peek now supports .vbs, .inf, .gitconfig, .gitattributes, .editorconfig, and .htm files, thanks to the contributions by @Aaron-Junker and @SamChaps.
Furthermore, Peek's user interface has been refined, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience. Users can now hide the Peek window with the Esc key, and a setting has been added to always run Peek not-elevated, providing enhanced security by default. The module has also addressed various issues, such as previewing unsupported file types, handling focus loss, and improving window positioning and quality, resulting in an improved overall user experience.
The Registry Preview module has introduced a new setting that allows users to set it as the default app for opening .reg files, thanks to the contribution by @randyrants. This feature gives users more control over their file associations and streamlines the process of working with registry files.
PowerToys v0.71.0 has also seen updates and fixes in other modules. The Quick Accent module now includes additional symbols and signs in various languages, contributed by @ailintom, @Aaron-Junker, and @EikeJoo. The Text Extractor module has received various improvements and fixes, thanks to @TheJoeFin.
In the Settings app, several styling fixes have been applied to Peek and Mouse Without Borders pages, making the interface more visually consistent. The Mouse Without Borders machine connection status styling has been fixed, and the Uninstall service UX has been improved, enhancing the usability of the module.
The development process has also received attention in this release. Peek and Mouse Without Borders have been added to GitHub templates, facilitating the contribution process for developers. CI release pipelines and Winget package submission have been fixed, ensuring a streamlined release and distribution workflow.
Overall, Microsoft's PowerToys v0.71.0 introduces a range of new features, improvements, and bug fixes, enhancing the utility and usability of the PowerToys suite. With expanded file preview support, refined user interfaces, and stability enhancements, PowerToys continues to be a valuable tool for Windows users looking to enhance their productivity and streamline their workflows.
You can download the newest version of Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or from the official repository on GitHub. If you already have the Microsoft PowerToys installed on your computer, you can manually update it by navigating to the Settings page.
You can also download Microsoft PowerToys version 0.71.0 by clicking either of the following official links:
Please note that the links shared above to download the latest version of Microsoft PowerToys are official links hosted by Microsoft on the GitHub servers. It is still advisable to always scan with your antivirus software once you download something from the internet. Neither the author of this post nor the site will be responsible if something goes wrong.
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