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Industry observers note that i’m trying to be better about counting my blessings, and Microsoft’s PowerToys must surely number among them.
The report highlights that maybe that seems strong, but I’ve been using the open source utility pack more recently as part of a few projects and I’ve been reflecting on how nice it is to have an easily accessible pack of Windows upgrades readily available direct from the developer.
The report highlights that recently, for example, I’ve really been reminded how nice Power Display is for streamlining display management after switching back to a dual-monitor setup. I appreciate that some of the functionality of various PowerToys has been integrated into vanilla Windows, but I continue to find fresh reasons to be grateful it’s one of the first things I install on any fresh PC.
Industry observers note that missed the surprising topics on our YouTube show or the most recent news from across the web? You’re in the right place. Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of devices talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld.
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According to the latest update, the original drop shipped for Windows 95 in November of ’96, and I can remember thinking the older kids in the computer lab at school were so cool when I heard them talking about what their PowerToys could do—I thought it was a computer system update. As it turns out, I’m pretty sure PowerToys will turn 30 this year.
In a fresh development, i love being able to quickly search for things via the Command Palette or sneak a peek at stuff in File Explorer via Peek, two of the 30 or so PowerToys you can currently download for free straight from Microsoft. I’m still discovering fresh ways to utilize these tools after years of use, and they feel like a lovely little free upgrade for Windows users in the know. But these bad boys are no system update.
Industry observers note that here are some of our favorite PowerToys. I only wish Microsoft would do a better job letting people know PowerToys exists.
According to the latest update, i’d love to hear about it in our Discord user base! Do you have a favorite way to use PowerToys, or a favorite open-source project in general?
According to the latest update, this week PCWorld’s Brad Chacos rejoins cohosts Alaina Yee and Adam Patrick Murray to chat about AMD’s fresh Radeon RX 9050 and Adam’s visit to the publisher’s AI showcase here in San Francisco — next-gen Ryzen could be an absolute monster — as well as some Windows news.
As part of the ongoing story, as always, they also answered your questions on everything from AI use by system update developers to where you buy your platform releases.
The report highlights that here’s your weekly roundup of the most interesting news I saw this week, touching on everything from robot farmers to AI-powered treasure hunters.
As part of the ongoing story, for more, be sure to bookmark PCWorld and subscribe to the PCWorld YouTube channel. That’s your Full Nerd for this week!
As part of the ongoing story, this newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of devices at PCWorld.
In a fresh development, as part of PCWorld's video team, you can see him going hands-on with the most recent and greatest tech on YouTube, TikTok, and Reels, and his writing will appear on PCWorld.com. Alex has also written for Tom's Guide and Platform release Developer. Alex Wawro has more than 15 years experience as a tech journalist, and has covered everything from laptops and CPUs to PC tech industry and handhelds.