This Microsoft app just cooked all productivity tools!

Let’s be honest: being productive on Windows has always felt… a bit scuffed.

Compared to tools like Raycast on macOS or even custom Linux setups, Windows has been missing key features like a proper command launcher or a clean top bar. Because of that, the community stepped in with tools like Flow Launcher and custom bars like YASB.

But now Microsoft is finally catching up with a major update to Microsoft PowerToys—and surprisingly, it’s actually good.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • The new Command Palette
  • The Top Bar (Dock)
  • Some of the most useful built-in features
  • And how it compares to existing tools

🔥 Best PowerToys Features You Should Use

👀 Peek — Instant File Preview

Peek lets you preview files instantly using a shortcut (default: spacebar).

Why it’s useful:

  • Quickly scan images or files without opening them
  • Perfect for creators managing lots of assets

🧩 FancyZones — Advanced Window Layouts

FancyZones allows you to create custom layouts for your apps.

Key features:

  • Grid-based layouts (recommended)
  • Drag windows into zones using Shift
  • Fully customizable layouts

👉 This alone can completely change how you multitask on Windows.

🎨 Color Picker

Press a shortcut and instantly grab color codes from anywhere on your screen.

Use cases:

  • Design work
  • UI development
  • Content creation

You can even configure multiple color formats in the settings.

📌 Always on Top

Pin any window above others with a shortcut.

Example:

  • Watch a video while taking notes
  • Keep tools visible while working

👉 No more accidentally closing your window when you just wanted to pause something—we’ve all been there.

🧠 Workspaces

This is one of the most underrated features.

What it does:

  • Saves your current app layout
  • Lets you relaunch everything instantly

👉 Perfect for recurring workflows like editing, coding, or studying.

🧩 The New Top Bar (Dock)

One of the biggest additions is the new Top Bar, enabled through the Command Palette settings.

What it offers:

  • System stats (CPU, GPU, RAM, network)
  • App shortcuts
  • Quick access tools

Customization:

  • Position (top, side, bottom)
  • Transparency
  • Basic layout tweaks

⚠️ Limitations

Compared to tools like YASB or Rainmeter setups:

  • Very limited customization
  • Minimal layout control
  • Basic visual options

👉 Conclusion:
It’s functional—but not customizable enough (yet).

🧠 Command Palette — The Core Feature

The Command Palette is the heart of the new PowerToys experience.

Open it with:

Win + Alt + Space

🔍 What it can do

  • Launch apps
  • Search files
  • Run commands
  • Perform calculations
  • Start web searches

⚡ Key Commands

  • App search → clean app launching
  • Calculator → quick math
  • Browser search → instant web queries
  • System commands → advanced usage

⚠️ Weaknesses

The biggest issue is file search.

Compared to:

  • Flow Launcher (with Everything plugin)
  • Raycast

…it’s noticeably slower and less reliable.

🔌 Extensions

PowerToys supports extensions via:

  • Microsoft Store
  • Winget

Most are fairly basic—but there are some interesting ones like a YouTube downloader plugin.

Still, it’s nowhere near the ecosystem of Raycast or Flow Launcher.

⚔️ PowerToys vs Raycast vs Flow Launcher

🟦 PowerToys

Strengths:

  • Native Windows integration
  • Easy to use
  • Includes multiple tools in one

Weaknesses:

  • Limited customization
  • Weak extensions
  • Average file search

🟪 Flow Launcher

Strengths:

  • Extremely customizable
  • Huge plugin ecosystem
  • Fast file search

Weaknesses:

  • Less polished UI
  • More setup required

🟧 Raycast

Strengths:

  • Best overall feature set
  • Deep integrations (AI, apps, workflows)
  • Clean UX

Weaknesses:

  • Overkill for basic users

🧠 Final Verdict

PowerToys doesn’t “destroy” tools like Raycast or Flow Launcher—but it doesn’t need to.

Instead, it offers:

  • A clean, simple experience
  • A native Windows solution
  • Enough features for most users

👉 If you just want:

  • A launcher
  • A top bar
  • Some productivity tools

PowerToys is now one of the easiest ways to upgrade your workflow.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Microsoft is clearly moving in the right direction.

PowerToys is no longer just a collection of small utilities—it’s becoming a real productivity layer for Windows.

And if development continues at this pace, it might soon replace third-party tools for a lot of users.

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