Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities for power users, developed by Microsoft for its flagship operating system, Windows. PowerToys do not undergo the same rigorous testing that the operating system components do and are published without technical support.

Windows 95

PowerToys for Windows 95 was the first version of Microsoft PowerToys and included 15 tools for power users. One of the best known ones is TweakUI, a system utility for tweaking the more obscure settings in Windows. In most cases, TweakUI exposes settings that are otherwise only accessible by directly modifying Windows Registry.[1] Other tools include:

PowerToys for Windows 95 were developed by Windows Shell Development Team. Most of them work correctly on later versions of Windows up to Windows XP[2] but do not work correctly on Windows Vista or later, because of extensive changes made to the shell or compatibility problems with User Account Control or 64-bit computing.

Windows 95 Kernel Toys

After the huge success of the Windows 95 PowerToys, Windows Kernel Development Team released another set of tools for power users called Windows 95 Kernel Toys.[3] Six tools were included in this package, including:[4]

PowerToys for Windows XP

PowerToys for Windows XP is the second version of the PowerToys set and is a major change from the Windows 95 version. The tools in this set were available as separate downloads rather than in a single package.

Included applications

As of November 2009, the following PowerToys for Windows XP were available:[5]

PowerToys Power Calculator

Retired components

The following PowerToys for Windows XP are now retired:[5]

PowerToys for Windows 7 and above

Windows 10

PowerToys for other Microsoft products

Microsoft has also released PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition[15] and Windows XP Media Center Edition.[16] As part of the Windows Media Player Bonus Pack, another set of PowerToys for Windows Media Player was released. Finally, Microsoft has also released Windows Mobile PowerToys for Developers, Visual Studio[17][18][19] and Microsoft Office OneNote.[20][21]

References

  1. "Windows Power Toys for Windows XP and for Windows 95 98 NT and 2000". ThreeClicks.com, Inc. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  2. "Windows PowerToys FAQ for Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 & XP". Windows Support Center: James A. Eshelman. August 5, 2005. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  3. Chen, Raymond (2007). The Old New Thing: Practical Development Throughout the Evolution of Windows (ebook). Pearson Education Inc. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 "PowerToys for Windows XP". Microsoft Corporation. 25 September 2008. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  5. MalekTips - Download a Free Graphing Calculator
  6. PowerCalc in Windows 7
  7. "Download details: Windows XP Creativity Fun Pack PowerToys Wallpaper Changer". Microsoft Corporation. 22 April 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  8. "Internet Explorer 8: Features (Section: Better Find on Page)". Internet Explorer 8 web site. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 8 January 2010. Internet Explorer 8 includes a completely redesigned Find On Page toolbar, which is activated by pressing Ctrl-F or choosing Find On Page from the Edit menu or Search box drop-down.
  9. LeBlanc, Brandon (13 April 2009). "Burn ISO Images Natively in Windows 7". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft Corporation. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  10. "Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools". Microsoft Corporation. 28 April 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2010. Cdburn.exe: ISO CD-ROM Burner Tool [~snip] Dvdburn.exe: ISO DVD Burner Tool
  11. Lowe, Scott (18 December 2008). "How to use CD & DVD image files without burning discs". Microsoft Musings. itworld.com. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  12. Lowe, Scott (19 December 2006). "How to back up without the hassle of physical media". TechGuides. TechRepublic. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  13. "XP: Small, Free Way to Use and Mount Images (ISO files) Without Burning Them". TECH-RECIPES. 27 August 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  14. "Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition". Microsoft Corporation. 29 June 2004. Archived from the original on 31 December 2004. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  15. "Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Media Center Edition". Microsoft Corporation. 17 January 2005. Archived from the original on 29 December 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  16. Kelley, Jeremy. "Welcome to Power Toys Pack Installer". CodePlex. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  17. Ford, Sara. "Power Toys WebLog". Microsoft Developer Network. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  18. "Visual Studio Power Toys are Back". 25 June 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  19. "PowerToys for OneNote 2003". Microsoft Office web site. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  20. Guin, John. "PowerToys for OneNote". OneNote Testing. Microsoft Developer Network. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
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