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Microsoft PowerToys Gets New Updates as Part of Windows 11

Further customize your Windows 11 experience

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 29, 2021 11:19AM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Software & Apps Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming As part of the new Windows 11 operating system, Microsoft's customization system, PowerToys, just got a significant update. According to a Thursday post on GitHub, the PowerToys release for the new 0.49 version is now available. The updates add the ability to find your mouse with a double press on the left control key, and an easy video conference mute shortcut. Microsoft The Find Your Mouse feature dims your screen to highlight where your cursor currently is, which could be more useful on a larger screen setup rather than, say, a laptop. GitHub detailed that additional enhancements and features would be added to Find Your Mouse in future releases. In addition, the new Video Conference Mute lets you turn off your microphone and camera at the same time using the Windows + N keyboard shortcut. The feature works while you're on a conference call, regardless of the application that currently has your screen's focus. Other updates to PowerToys features include an interface update for the PowerRename feature, which allows for the bulk renaming of files. The update in 0.49 is a complete redesign, along with new tips to describe common expressions and text/file formatting within the feature. The new PowerToys interface takes its visual cues from Windows 11, with a more modern look and feel and a streamlined design. Microsoft introduced PowerToys in Windows 95 and the program has been available for every major Windows release since. Some of the current PowerToys features include picking unique colors, creating complex window layouts, a keyboard customizer, and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Snap Layouts in Windows 11 How to Turn On/Off Smart App Control in Windows 11 How to Reset All Audio Settings in Windows 11 How to Fix It When the Snipping Tool Isn't Working in Windows 11 How to Screen Record with Audio in Windows 11 How to Use the Video Editor in Windows 11 How to Use Widgets in Windows 11 How to Use Quick Settings in Windows 11 How to Remap a Keyboard in Windows 10 How to Fix Windows 10 Mouse Lag Windows 11: News, Release Date, and Specs The 5 Best Windows 11 Features to Know How to Find a Windows 11 Product Key A Brief History of Microsoft Windows How to Split Your Screen in Windows Your Guide to User Account Settings in Windows 11 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies