Microsoft today released a new version of the PowerToys suite of tools, bumping the version number to 0.37. The team says that the focus of this version was to further ready the Video Conference Mute tool for a stable release, which is currently being tested in the experimental releases.
Additionally, the update also focuses on removing the legacy settings app and moving the Keyboard Manager into an independent process, along with the usual crop of bug fixes and improvements to the rest of the tools such as improvements to the first-run experience. The FancyZones editor default shortcut key is also being changed to Win + Shift + `.
Another thing to note is that the suite now requires users to be on Windows 10 version 1903 or newer. However, considering that the said version is already out of support, it will not be an issue for most users.
Here is the complete changelog detailing the various fixes and enhancements made to the various tools:
FancyZones
- Editor UX bug fixes. Thanks @niels9001
- Monitor resolution is added to the top to directly infer the boxes on top are your monitors
- Fix for editor crash when editing a custom layout
PowerRename
- Option added for capitalization.
- Improved loading responsiveness with large sums of files.
PowerToys Run
- Changed XAML to improve rendering. Thanks @niels9001
- Disabled plugins are no longer loaded
- VS Code plugin workspaces showing up now. Thanks @ricardosantos9521
Keyboard manager
- Now an independent exe. This now runs high priority in its own process. When your CPU is under load, this should allow the process to continue to be prioritized
Color Picker
- uses a centralized keyhook. This should improve activation
- Esc for closing will no longer bubble through. Thanks @DoctorNefario
Settings / Welcome to PowerToys
- Shortcuts will stand out more
- Few accessability bugs fixed. Thanks @niels9001
Shortcut Guide
Excluded apps for Shortcut Guide. Thanks @davidegiacometti
Installer
- new arg for starting PT after silent install
Developer quality of life
- Ability to directly debug against Settings
As usual, users can head to the GitHub page here to download the packages for this release. Alternatively, they can update the tool directly from the settings. Those interested can also read through the entire list of fixes and commits made for this version on the Issues page here.
As for the highly awaited Video Conference Mute tool, there is no concrete information on when it will be included in the stable releases. With the tool now based on the DirectShow framework reintroduced in the experimental version, it might be released sooner rather than later.
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