Microsoft PowerToys is a super powerful open-source app supported by Microsoft that adds productivity features every user thinks Windows should have. In this post, we are looking at seven PowerToys features for file and image management. It’s a must for those who need to manage a lot of files every day and save time.
Manage Files and Images like a Pro with PowerToys
PowerToys offers a lot of useful features for power users that let you manage Files and Folders efficiently. Let us take a look at these features now.
1] File Explorer Add-Ons
PowerToys File Explorer add-ons enable preview for files usually unsupported by Windows. These include SVG, Source code files, PDF, geometric code, etc. The add-on also includes a Thumbnail icon preview for such files and syntax-highlighting previews for coding file formats.
2] PowerRename
Many of us deal with tons of files every day. Some need to change the capitalization, while some need to convert them into a different file format, and so on. Doing that individually is not practical or possible. That’s where PowerToys’s Power Rename feature comes into the picture. It can do the following and also includes right-click integration:
- Advanced Search and Replace: Use regex or simple text replacement.
- Batch Processing: Rename thousands of files in seconds.
- Live Preview: Avoid errors by seeing changes before applying them.
3] Image Resizer
Resizing images could be an everyday job for some, and no matter which photo editor you use, bulk editing isn’t great for most of them. The PowerToys Image Resizer option allows you to set up image presets in different sizes while keeping the original image.
Resize images directly from the right-click menu:
- Customizable Presets: Create sizes for web uploads, thumbnails, or large prints.
- Batch Resize: Save time by resizing multiple images simultaneously.
- Preserve Quality: Resizes without losing clarity.
- Encoding: Jpeg, PNG interlacing, and TIFF compression.
Read: How to use Environment Variable Editor in PowerToys
4] PowerToys Run
Instead of opening the File Explorer and looking for a file, you can quickly press Alt + Spacebar to open the finder or the PowerToys Run and find the file name or extension. You can also open it and navigate directly to folders without leaving the search bar.
It also has more options, such as setting up its position and appearance, multiple monitor support, web search, Windows settings search, terminal profiles, etc.
5] Workspaces
Rather than constantly toggling between windows with Alt-Tab, use Workspaces to organize your tasks more effectively. With predefined zones, Workspaces makes multitasking seamless by allowing you to assign each window its dedicated space. You can easily drag and drop files while keeping multiple folders in view.
Additionally, you can group related folders and apps together, creating distinct areas for different projects. This makes it simpler to stay organized and manage everything in one place.
Read: How to enable and use Workspaces on Microsoft Edge
6] Quick Accent
Suppose you need to work with accents, but your keyboard doesn’t support them. In that case, you can use the Quick Accent feature that brings up the related accent characters when you press the character. Then, use the arrow key or space to quickly add diacritics or accents to file names or add them to the file content.
It also supports international file naming conventions support for multiple character sets, and you can exclude apps for which the accent characters support is not needed.
7] New+
This is a perfect feature if you need to create files and folders from a set of personalized templates.
To create a new item in a folder, right-click on the folder to open the context menu. Select the “New+” option, then choose the desired template from the list.
PowerToys adds helpful features to file and image management. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or everyday user, these tools will streamline your workflow and save time.
Read: How to rename Folders and Files in serial order instantly in Windows
How does PowerToys simplify image handling?
PowerToys simplifies image management with tools like Image Resizer for quick resizing, Color Picker for capturing color codes, Screen Ruler for precise measurements, and FancyZones for organizing images in custom layouts.
What are some of the PowerToys features for managing files efficiently?
PowerToys enhances file management with tools like PowerRename for batch renaming, File Explorer Add-ons for additional file previews, and Keyboard Manager for custom shortcuts.
