PowerToys 0.93 has been released, featuring a refreshed design and improvements to the "Command Palette"

Windows/Microsoft Store

Content:

Microsoft has released a new version of PowerToys, version 0.93, bringing significant performance improvements to the "Command Palette," a refreshed user interface for the "Settings" window, and a new "Spotlight" mode in the Mouse Highlighter feature.

↑ Command Palette

Thanks to the integration of Ahead of Time (AOT) compilation in the Windows App SDK, developers have significantly enhanced the performance of the "Command Palette" feature. The results are as follows:

Memory usage at startup reduced by 15%.
Loading time decreased by 40%.
Loading time for built-in extensions reduced by 70%.
Installation size reduced by 55%.

The performance comparison between versions 0.92 and 0.93 clearly illustrates the progress made:

Metric	Version 0.92	Version 0.93
Size after installation	121 MB	53.6 MB
Peak memory usage	192.88 MB	160.56 MB
Window load time	1,457.40 ms	909.8 ms
Load time for built-in extensions	846.8 ms	246.8 ms

↑ Updated toolbar in Settings

Responding to user feedback about the previous interface being difficult to navigate, developers have completely redesigned the "PowerToys Settings" window. The new design for the "Home" page now closely resembles the Settings app in Windows 11.

The updated layout allows users to instantly see which utilities are enabled or disabled, quickly locate relevant keyboard shortcuts, and even launch tools directly from the main page.

↑ New "Spotlight" mode for Mouse Highlighter

The Mouse Highlighter utility now includes a new mode called "Spotlight." Previously, it simply drew an ellipse around the cursor. Now, it can darken the entire screen while illuminating only the area around the mouse pointer. This is ideal for screen demonstrations, video recordings, or any scenario where you need to focus viewers' attention on a specific area. The color and transparency of the darkened overlay are fully customizable.

If you'd like to start using PowerToys, you can download it from the Microsoft Store or from the project's GitHub page. This is an open-source project, so you’re welcome to contribute to its development if you wish.

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