The Windows Utilities You Didn’t Know You Were Missing
There are many incredibly helpful programs you could install on your Windows computer that changes how it works. What’s remarkable is that Microsoft makes a really good one. The homegrown program is a collection of programs called “PowerToys”. Microsoft describes PowerToys as “a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity.”
While I think this description is mostly spot on, you might be wary of any software that claims to increase productivity. With that said, I installed PowerToys for the first time some years ago and it has seriously changed the way I work; it has become one of the first things I install on my new machines. Now, PowerToys are, as the name implies, for PowerUsers. But a lot of the tools inside started as features intended to be released for everyone as part of Windows. I recommend you check them out. Here are a few easy ones that I use regularly.
PowerToys Awake
PowerToys Awake is similar to the app for Mac called Caffeine. It adds a small coffee cup to your bottom right taskbar that – when clicked – ensures your laptop or desktop stays open and awake for the length of time you indicate. It’s not something you always need but it will save you in a pinch if you’re presenting!
My monitor at home has a width of 49” and while I love my super ultrawide it can be unwieldy to manage. This application allows me to divide my monitor into several sections, and into sizes of my choosing. It even allows the windows to snap to each section by using my mouse rather than the Windows key and the arrows. I can’t overstate how essential this has become to my workflow. I’m using my custom zones right now!
This utility is a little more complex and my use-case is a little more bizarre, but it is a game changer. This small but mighty app allows you to change what the keys on your keyboard do. Rather have your Page Up key write your signature? You can do that! I personally use it to replace the caps lock key on all my computers with the mute button. For Teams, for example, I remap the key to be Crtl+Shift+M. Once you try it you won’t go back, I promise!