Microsoft PowerToys#Power Calculator

PowerToys for Windows 95 was the first version of Microsoft PowerToys and included 15 tools for power users. It included Tweak UI, a system utility for tweaking the more obscure settings in Windows. In most cases, Tweak UI exposed settings that were otherwise only accessible by directly modifying Windows Registry.{{cite web

|url = http://threeclicks.com/powertoys.htm

|title = removed: Windows Power Toys for Windows XP and for Windows 95 98 NT and 2000

|publisher = ThreeClicks.com, Inc.

|date = 24 April 2012

|access-date = 24 April 2012

}}

The following PowerToys for Windows 95 were available:[https://socket3.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/using-windows-95-powertoys/ Using Windows 95 PowerToys – Socket 3]

• CabView opened cabinet files like ordinary folders;
• CDAutoPlay made AutoPlay work on any non-audio CD;
• Command Prompt Here allowed the user to start a command prompt from any folder in Windows Explorer by right-clicking (native in Windows Vista onwards);
• Contents Menu allowed users to access folders and files from a context menu without having to open their folders;
• Desktop Menu allowed users to open items on the desktop from a menu on the Taskbar;
• Explore From Here enabled users to open Windows Explorer view from any folder such so that the folder acts as the root level folder;
• FindX added drag-and-drop capabilities to Find (later called Search) menu;
• FlexiCD allowed users to play an audio CD from the Taskbar;
• Quick Res allowed users to quickly change the screen resolution;
• Round Clock added an analog round clock without a square window;
• Send To X consisted of Shell extensions which added several commonly accessed locations such as clipboard, desktop, command-line or any folder to the Send To context menu in Explorer;
• Shortcut Target Menu allowed users to access the target file a shortcut is pointing to from the context menu or directly cut, copy, delete the target, create shortcut to the target or view its properties;
• Telephony Location Selector allowed mobile computer users to change their dialling location from the Taskbar;
• TweakUI allowed the user to customize the more obscure settings of the operating system's UI;
• Xmouse 1.2 made the window focus follow the mouse without requiring to click the window to make it active.

PowerToys for Windows 95 were developed by the Windows Shell Development Team. Some of the tools work on later versions of Windows up to Windows XP, but others may interfere with newer built-in features on Windows 98, ME, and XP.{{cite web

|url = http://aumha.org/a/powertoy.php

|title = Windows PowerToys FAQ for Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 & XP

|publisher = Windows Support Center: James A. Eshelman

|date = August 5, 2005

|access-date = 24 April 2012

}}

After the success of the Windows 95 PowerToys, the Windows Kernel Development Team released another set of tools for power users called Windows 95 Kernel Toys.{{cite book

| last = Chen

| first = Raymond

| title = The Old New Thing: Practical Development Throughout the Evolution of Windows

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wYrCitbs5PQC&q=windows%2095%20kernel%20toys&pg=PP1

| access-date = 24 April 2012

| type = ebook

| year = 2007

| publisher = Pearson Education Inc

| isbn = 978-0-13-270164-8

}}

Six tools were included in this package:{{cite web | url=http://www.computerhope.com/download/window95.htm | title=Windows 95 downloads | website=Computer Hope | date=2017-04-26 | access-date=2020-05-19 }}

• MS-DOS Mode Configuration Wizard Customization Tool allowed users to configure Windows startup files without having to manually edit CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT;
• Keyboard Remap reassigned functions to keys on the keyboard;
• Logo Key Control configured MS-DOS games so that Windows would ignore the Windows logo key while games were running;
• Conventional Memory Tracker to track and break down the amount of memory being allocated by virtual device drivers;
• Windows Process Watcher (WinTop) monitored how much of CPU resources were taken by individual programs;
• Time Zone Editor enabled the user to create and edit time zone entries for the Date/Time Control Panel applet.

According to Raymond Chen, he wrote all of the Kernel Toys except for the Time Zone Editor, which came from the Windows NT Resource Kit.{{cite web | url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/?p=36543 | title=The history of the Windows PowerToys | first=Raymond | last=Chen | date=2005-02-02 | access-date=2020-05-19 | website=Microsoft }}

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

{{As of|November 2009}}, the following PowerToys for Windows XP were available:{{cite web

|url = http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx|title = PowerToys for Windows XP|publisher = Microsoft Corporation|date = 25 September 2008|access-date = 2 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110201050734/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx|url-status = dead|archive-date = 1 February 2011}}

• Alt-Tab Replacement Task Switcher replaced the simpler Alt-Tab switcher with a more visual one which shows live window previews.
• CD Slide Show Generator generated a slideshow from photos burned to a CD.
• ClearType Tuner allowed customizing ClearType settings to make it easier to read text on the screen.
• Color Control Panel Applet allowed managing color profiles, changing color profile associations for devices, viewing detailed properties for color profiles (including a 3D rendering of the color space gamut).
• HTML Slide Show Wizard generated an HTML slideshow presentation.
• Image Resizer allowed right-clicking on multiple image files inside Windows Explorer to batch resize them.
• Open Command Window Here allowed starting a command prompt from any folder in Windows Explorer by right-clicking.
• File:Powercalc.PNG{{Anchor|Power Calculator}}Power Calculator was a more advanced graphical calculator application than the built-in Windows Calculator; it could evaluate more complex expressions, draw a Cartesian or polar graph of a function or convert units of measurements. Power Calculator could store and reuse pre-defined functions, of any arity. For example, a function could be set by cube(x) = x * x * x, and later it could be used in an expression like 5 + cube(4).[http://malektips.com/xp_calculator_0008.html MalekTips - Download a Free Graphing Calculator] It did not evaluate every time an operator was entered. Rather, the entire expression must be entered for calculation. In the Numeric mode, it presented a visual keypad, in all other modes the expression had to be typed in. A scrolling text area maintained a history of all calculations. The advanced view allowed declaring and graphing functions, along with a list of all the saved functions. A flyout window provided the option of choosing either a Cartesian co-ordinate system or polar co-ordinates. It could also save a list of variables for use in expression. Unit conversions of the following types were supported: length, mass, time, velocity, and temperature. PowerToy Calc had support for typing calculations using Reverse Polish Notation (RPN). It could calculate up to 500 precision levels beyond the decimal point and supported complex numbers.[http://dan.hersam.com/2010/11/10/powercalc-in-windows-7/ PowerCalc in Windows 7]
• RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer provided thumbnails, previews, printing, and metadata display for RAW images from within Windows Explorer.
• SyncToy allowed synchronizing files and folders.
• Taskbar Magnifier magnified part of the screen from the taskbar.
• Tweak UI customized Windows XP's user interface and advanced settings.
• Virtual Desktop Manager allowed switching between four virtual desktops from the taskbar.
• Webcam Timershot took pictures at specified time intervals from a webcam.

The following PowerToys for Windows XP were discontinued:

• Background Switcher added a slideshow tab to Display properties and allows automatically changing the desktop wallpaper periodically. Although, Background Switcher is retired, a replacement, Wallpaper Changer, is available from Microsoft.{{cite web

|url = http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=ce1d596b-6851-4948-ab76-b5ff22d37d69&displaylang=en

|title = Download details: Windows XP Creativity Fun Pack PowerToys Wallpaper Changer

|publisher = Microsoft Corporation

|date = 22 April 2003

|access-date = 10 January 2010

}}

• Internet Explorer Find Bar added a toolbar to Internet Explorer that allowed users to search for keywords in a web page. This feature is natively supported by Internet Explorer 8.{{cite web

|access-date = 8 January 2010

|url = http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/features/faster.aspx

|title = Internet Explorer 8: Features (Section: Better Find on Page)

|work = Internet Explorer 8 web site

|publisher = Microsoft Corporation

|quote = Internet Explorer 8 includes a 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.

}}

• ISO Image Burner burned ISO images to an Optical disc recorder. This feature is integrated into Windows 7.{{cite web

|access-date=8 January 2010

|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/04/13/burn-iso-images-natively-in-windows-7.aspx

|title=Burn ISO Images Natively in Windows 7

|work=Windows Experience Blog

|publisher=Microsoft Corporation

|last=LeBlanc

|first=Brandon

|date=13 April 2009

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415170148/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/04/13/burn-iso-images-natively-in-windows-7.aspx

|archive-date=15 April 2009

}} In addition, Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit includes two similar tools (CDBurn.exe and DVDBurn.exe).{{cite web

|url = http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en

|title = Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools

|publisher = Microsoft Corporation

|access-date = 14 April 2010

|date = 28 April 2003

|quote = Cdburn.exe: ISO CD-ROM Burner Tool [~snip] Dvdburn.exe: ISO DVD Burner Tool

}} Although Microsoft has retired this Power Toy, it is available as the unauthorized ISO Recorder Power Toy.

• Shell Audio Player was a Windows Media Player-based compact player which allows playing music from the taskbar.
• Super-Fast User Switcher allowed Fast User Switching or logging on to a different account using the Windows key+Q combination without requiring to switch to the logon screen.
• {{anchor|VCCP}}Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel could mount an ISO image as a virtual drive.{{cite web

|title = How to use CD & DVD image files without burning discs

|work = Microsoft Musings

|publisher = itworld.com

|date = 18 December 2008

|access-date = 8 January 2010

|last = Lowe

|first = Scott

|url = http://www.itworld.com/software/59174/how-use-cd-dvd-image-files-without-burning-discs?page=0%2C1

}} It was designed for Windows XP, but it also worked with Windows Server 2003.{{cite web

|title = How to back up without the hassle of physical media

|work = TechGuides

|publisher = TechRepublic

|date = 19 December 2006

|access-date = 8 January 2010

|last = Lowe

|first = Scott

|url = http://www.zdnetasia.com/techguide/windows/0,39044904,61975618,00.htm

}} It was a free alternative to software such as Alcohol 120%.{{cite web

|title = XP: Small, Free Way to Use and Mount Images (ISO files) Without Burning Them

|publisher = TECH-RECIPES

|date = 27 August 2004

|access-date = 8 January 2010

|url = http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/620/xp_small_free_way_to_use_and_mount_images_iso_files_without_burning_them/

}}

Windows 10 received PowerToys four years after its release. On May 8, 2019, Microsoft relaunched PowerToys and made them open-source on GitHub.[https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys GitHub - Microsoft/PowerToys: Windows system utilities to maximize productivity] The first preview release was available in September 2019, which included FancyZones and the Windows key shortcut guide.[https://github.com/Microsoft/powertoys/releases GitHub - Microsoft/PowerToys/Releases]

PowerToys for Windows 10 comes with the following utilities:{{Citation|title=GitHub - microsoft/PowerToys: Windows system utilities to maximize productivity|date=2019-11-30|url=https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=2019-11-30}}

• {{anchor|PowerToys Run}}Always On Top adds the ability to quickly pin windows on top of all other windows with a quick keyboard shortcut.{{Cite web |last=mattwojo |title=Microsoft PowerToys |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/#always-on-top |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=docs.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|PowerToys Awake}}PowerToys Awake adds an ability to keep a computer awake without managing its power & sleep settings.{{Cite web |last= |title=PowerToys Awake utility |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/awake |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=docs.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|Color Picker}}Color Picker adds a tool for color identification (in HEX, RGB, CMYK, HSL and HSV, among others).{{Cite web |last=mattwojo |title=Microsoft PowerToys |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/#color-picker |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=docs.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|FancyZones}}FancyZones adds a window manager that makes it easier for users to create and use complex window layouts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20852451/microsoft-windows-10-powertoys-download-features|title=Microsoft's first PowerToys for Windows 10 now available to download|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2019-09-06|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=2019-11-30}}
• {{anchor|File Explorer (Preview Panes)}}File Explorer (Preview Panes) adds SVG, Markdown and PDF previews to File Explorer.{{Cite web|title=Releases - microsoft/PowerToys|url=https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/|website=GitHub}}
• {{Anchor|File Locksmith}}File Locksmith adds the ability to check which files are in use and by which processes.{{Cite web |last=mattwojo |title=Microsoft PowerToys |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}
• {{Anchor|Host File Editor}}Host File Editor adds the ability to edit the 'Hosts' file in a convenient way.
• {{anchor|Image Resizer}}Image Resizer adds a context menu to File Explorer for resizing images.{{Cite web|title=microsoft/PowerToys|url=https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys|access-date=2020-04-02|website=GitHub|language=en}}
• {{anchor|Keyboard Manager}}Keyboard Manager adds options for remapping keys and shortcuts.{{Cite web |last=mattwojo |title=Microsoft PowerToys |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/#keyboard-manager |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=docs.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|Mouse utilities}}Mouse utilities adds tools that enhance mouse and cursor functionality on Windows. Currently, the collection consists of Find My Mouse, which focuses on the cursor's position; Mouse Highlighter, which indicates mouse clicks on the screen; and Mouse pointer Crosshairs, which displays crosshairs centered on the mouse pointer{{Cite web|date=2021-11-17|title=Mouse utilities for Windows|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/mouse-utilities|access-date=2021-11-17|website=docs.microsoft.com|language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|Mouse Without Borders}}Mouse Without Borders adds a tool which allows a user to move their cursor across multiple devices.{{Cite web|date=2023-09-04|title=Mouse Without Borders|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/mouse-without-borders|access-date=2023-09-04|website=learn.microsoft.com|language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|Paste as Plain Text}}Paste as Plain Text adds a customizable keyboard shortcut to paste text stripped of text formatting.{{Cite web|date=March 1, 2023|title=Paste as Plain Text|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/paste-as-plain-text|access-date=March 1, 2023|website=learn.microsoft.com|language=en-us}}
• {{anchor|PowerRename}}PowerRename adds an option for users to rename files using search and replace or regular expression in File Explorer.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-05|title=How to use PowerRename PowerToy for Windows 10|url=https://www.thewindowsclub.com/powerrename-powertoy-for-windows-10|access-date=2019-11-30|website=The Windows Club|language=en-US}}
• {{anchor|PowerToys Run}}PowerToys Run adds a Spotlight-like tool that allows users to search for folders, files, applications, and other items.
• {{Anchor|Quick Accent}}Quick Accent adds the ability to type accented characters in an alternative way.
• {{Anchor|Registry Preview}}Registry Preview adds a tool to preview, compare and edit registry file contents before writing to the Windows Registry.{{Cite web|date=2023-04-09|title=Microsoft PowerToys adds Windows Registry preview feature|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-powertoys-adds-windows-registry-preview-feature/|access-date=2023-04-10|website=Bleeping Computer}}
• {{Anchor|Screen Rules}}Screen Ruler adds the ability to measure pixel distances on-screen with image edge detection.
• {{anchor|Shortcut Guide}}Shortcut Guide adds a full screen overlay that allows the user to view the windows key shortcuts available in the current window.
• {{Anchor|Text Extractor}}Text Extractor adds the ability to copy text from anywhere on the screen.
• {{anchor|Video Conference Mute}}Video Conference Mute adds tools to disable/enable the camera and microphone.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-17|title=Video Conference Mute for Windows|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/video-conference-mute|access-date=2021-11-17|website=docs.microsoft.com|language=en-us}}

PowerToys did not receive any releases supporting Windows Vista. Making equivalent calls to various Windows APIs were still possible though and enabling third-party applications to be implemented with the same, or a subset, of the original functionality. Additionally, among Windows 7,{{Cite web |date=3 September 2010 |title=PowerToys for Windows 7 |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/power-toys-for-windows-7/9d8d1099-a4a7-4122-922f-eef7717569f4 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Microsoft Community}} Windows 8 and Windows 8.1,{{Cite web |title=Issue #6407: Windows 8.1 |url=https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/6407 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=GitHub |language=en}} none received official support.{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}} Not accounting for time spent developing Windows Vista, PowerToys was not updated for over 12 years, before being re-released as open source software for Windows 10.

Microsoft also released PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/tabletpc.mspx |title=Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition |date=29 June 2004 |access-date=7 January 2010 |publisher=Microsoft Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041231085352/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/tabletpc.mspx |archive-date=31 December 2004 |url-status=dead }} and Windows XP Media Center Edition.{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/mcepowertoys.mspx |title=Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Media Center Edition |date=17 January 2005 |access-date=7 January 2010 |publisher=Microsoft Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051229225022/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/mcepowertoys.mspx |archive-date=29 December 2005 |url-status=dead }}

A set of PowerToys for Windows Media Player was released as part of the Windows Media Player Bonus Pack (for Windows XP), consisting of five tools to "provide a variety of enhancements to Windows Media Player."{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/bonuspack/default.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412060917/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/bonuspack/powertoys.aspx | archive-date=12 April 2006 | title=PowerToys for Windows Media Player for Windows XP | website=Microsoft }}{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwX8bN2drQ0C | magazine=PC Magazine | title=Power Up with PowerToys | issn=0888-8507| date=8 November 2005 | first=David A. | last=Karp | page=106 | volume=24 | issue=19/20 }}

Finally, Microsoft has also released PowerToys for Windows Mobile, Visual Studio{{cite web |title=Welcome to Power Toys Pack Installer |url=http://www.codeplex.com/PackInstaller |access-date=7 January 2010 |publisher=CodePlex |last=Kelley |first=Jeremy}}{{cite web |title=Power Toys WebLog |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/powertoys/ |access-date=7 January 2010 |publisher=Microsoft Developer Network |last=Ford |first=Sara}}{{cite web | url=http://vsh.infozerk.net/blog/visual-studio-power-toys-are-back/ | title=Visual Studio Power Toys are Back | date=25 June 2008 | access-date=7 January 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302053114/http://vsh.infozerk.net/blog/visual-studio-power-toys-are-back/ | archive-date=2 March 2012 }} and OneNote.{{cite web |url=http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/HA011408961033.aspx |title=PowerToys for OneNote 2003 |access-date=7 January 2010 |work=Microsoft Office web site |publisher=Microsoft Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227201751/http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/HA011408961033.aspx |archive-date=27 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | title=PowerToys for OneNote | url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/johnguin/ | work=OneNote Testing | publisher=Microsoft Developer Network | access-date=19 May 2020 | last=Guin | first=John | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519231606/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/johnguin/ | archive-date=19 May 2020 }}

{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}

• Resource Kit

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120206031214/http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/2/e/52e8fd68-e528-4995-abe2-5644583536e1/W95powertoy.exe Microsoft PowerToys for Windows 95]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117060328/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/xp-downloads#2TC=powertoys Windows XP PowerToys and Add-ins]
• {{cite web

|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20050202-00/?p=36543

|title=The history of the Windows PowerToys

|work=The New Old Thing

|access-date=3 September 2013

|last=Chen

|first=Raymond

|date=2 Feb 2005

}}

• [http://blogs.msdn.com/johnguin OneNote Testing (Official OneNote blog)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060209040845/http://www.onenotepowertoys.com/about/ OneNote PowerToys]
• [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/ Windows PowerToys] current versions of PowerToys for Windows
• [https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys Official source code repository for the Windows 10 version] on GitHub

{{Microsoft FOSS}}

{{Microsoft Windows family}}

Category:Free and open-source software

PowerToys

Category:Software using the MIT license

Category:Utilities for Windows

Category:Microsoft

Category:Microsoft Windows

Category:Windows-only free software