Powertoys 0.84: "Workspaces" starts programs at predefined locations

Microsoft's developers have released version 0.84 of Powertoys for Windows. It includes the practical new "Workspaces" function. There are also further improvements in the tool collection.

In the release announcement, Microsoft's developers discuss details of the new functions. Many people will find one function particularly practical: After a computer restart, most people need to start the applications they usually use and arrange them according to their own preferences on the desktop – or, in the case of the frequently encountered multi-monitor operation: distribute the desktops – and adjust the size of the windows, for example. The Powertoys now make this easier: The new "Workspaces" function can launch a collection of apps and place them in predefined locations with their own configurations on the desktop. Such app arrangements can be saved as a workspace and called up with a click from the workspace editor or on a desktop shortcut.

Powertoys workspaces can be configured extensively

To ensure that the function can also be used for many individual cases, the programmers have thought about extensive configurability. Customized command line parameters or "Run as administrator" can be set in the workspace editor, and the window sizes and positions can be adjusted as required. There are already known limitations to this function: Apps that were started with admin rights cannot be repositioned in the desired layout. In addition, the boundaries of the "Remove" and "Add again" buttons are difficult to see in light-colored desktop themes. The developers would be pleased to receive feedback on the function.

Getting started is extremely simple. The workspace editor can create a snapshot of the currently running apps and their positions, and adjustments can then be made in the editor. The function can be set up with just a few mouse clicks and without having to think too much.

The advanced insert can now perform user-defined actions. Behind this are AI prompts predefined by users. A problem has been solved in Awake that caused the tray icon to disappear occasionally. More interesting for programmers: All code components that were programmed in C++/CX have now been migrated to the more modern C++/WinRT library.

Updating Powertoys

The update can be called up directly from the installed Powertoys. Under "General" there is the "Check for updates" button under "Version and updates". This offers the update if it is available

Updated installation packages are also available for download:

• Powertoys 0.84 (x64, user installation)
• Powertoys 0.84 (ARM64, user installation)
• Powertoys 0.84 (x64, system-wide installation)
• Powertoys 0.84 (ARM64, system-wide installation)

The developers released Powertoys 0.83.0 at the end of July. This essentially included many minor bug fixes and improvements, which ultimately resulted in greater stability.

(dmk)