Microsoft has just rolled out a new update for PowerToys, and it’s a game-changer for those of us who rely on the app’s Workspaces feature. The update, version 0.87.0, now embraces Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), enabling users to set up a layout of apps and PWAs on their desktop that are a tap away from launching. It’s a tweak that many of us, myself included, have eagerly anticipated.
Previously, PowerToys didn’t allow Workspaces to save a PWA. You could hit "capture," giving the illusion it was part of your workspace, but in reality, it only held onto the browser window that powered the PWA. Now, however, the update lets you assign a specific PWA to a workspace, thus bypassing the browser window hassle altogether.
This enhancement significantly boosts the utility of Workspaces. PWAs often deliver superior experiences for numerous services, rivaling, sometimes even surpassing, dedicated apps.
Beyond this noteworthy addition, PowerToys v0.87.0 brings several other handy improvements. For instance, you can now opt to have the Screen Ruler display measurements in inches, centimeters, or millimeters, a welcome feature for those who need precision.
Here’s a quick rundown of the highlights and changes in PowerToys v0.87.0 as outlined by Microsoft on GitHub:
PowerToys v0.87.0
Key Features:
- Advanced Paste: A new "Advanced AI" feature allows configuring clipboard transformations through Semantic Kernel.
- Workspaces: Enhanced to support PWAs and now allows moving existing windows within a workspace instead of creating new ones.
- Mouse Jump: Provides new settings for customizing screen pop-ups, thanks to community member @mikeclayton.
- New+: Compatible with Windows 10, a contribution from @cgaarden.
- Quick Accent: Lets you choose which character sets appear in the interface.
Additional Improvements:
- Awake: Improved initialization, logging, and tray icon setup.
- File Explorer Add-ons: Now use PerMonitorV2 DPI mode for better error management across different scales.
- Keyboard Manager: Includes labels for IME On/Off keys and addresses an issue with the Shift key getting stuck.
- Monaco Preview: Adds support for .ahk, .ion, and .srt files, enhancing readability and syntax highlighting.
- Peek: Optimizes performance based on local capabilities and fixes loading issues with certain image formats.
Developer and User Experience Enhancements:
- PowerToys Run: Introduces a scoring function for WindowWalker and adds UUIDv7 support. The calculator now also handles scientific notation.
- Screen Ruler: Updated to offer measurements in various units.
- Settings: Fixes navigation issues and improves accessibility alongside updating icons.
Workspaces Module:
- Seamless integration with PWAs, a new function to reposition windows, and fixes for positioning multiple instances of an app correctly.
Development Updates:
- Upgraded to .NET 9 and enhanced logging for asynchronous calls. Several dependencies received updates, streamlining the development process.
This update is a solid step forward, making PowerToys more versatile and user-friendly. With each new iteration, it continues to cement its place as an essential tool for enhancing productivity on Windows.
