PowerToys gets major changes and new features for Windows 11 in version 0.100

• PowerToys 0.100 introduces a redesigned Shortcut Guide that adapts to the app you’re using and displays relevant keyboard shortcuts.
• Command Palette gains an Extensions Gallery to discover, install, update, and remove extensions from one place.
• Dock now supports multi-monitor setups and can display pinned system metrics, including battery information.
• Microsoft improved Power Display, ZoomIt, automatic updates, and reduced the installation footprint by 15  percent with .NET 10.

Microsoft is back again with another release of its PowerToys tool with a number of major improvements, from a completely redesigned Shortcut Guide to an updated version of the Command Palette and Power Display enhancements.

In addition, the development team notes a switch to .NET 10, a smaller installation footprint, and improved automatic updates.

New Shortcut Guide

Starting with PowerToys 0.100, you’ll find a new Shortcut Guide design that slides in from the side and automatically adapts to the application you’re using, showing only the shortcuts relevant to that experience.

The redesign moves the feature away from being a simple reference sheet and turns it into a more context-aware tool that surfaces keyboard shortcuts based on what you’re doing on Windows.

Extensions Gallery for Command Palette

Command Palette is one of the most powerful features available in PowerToys, allowing users to launch apps and access tools through extensions without switching applications. However, discovering and installing those extensions has often been a challenge. That’s now changing with the introduction of the Extensions Gallery.

Available directly from the Command Palette settings, the gallery makes it easier to discover, install, update, and uninstall extensions from a centralized experience.

While the Shortcut Guide redesign may be the most noticeable change in this release, the Extensions Gallery could prove to be the most important addition. By simplifying extension discovery and management, Microsoft is taking another step toward turning Command Palette into a true productivity hub rather than just another launcher.

The company is also upgrading the Dock with multi-monitor support, meaning each monitor can now have its own Dock with different configurations.

When setting up a new Dock, users can choose the display, position, and other settings. The company also notes that the Performance Monitor extension now includes a battery widget that shows battery levels, charging details, and estimated time remaining.

Furthermore, this version of PowerToys adds support for pinning individual metrics, including processor, memory, graphics, network, and battery information, directly to the Dock.

Other improvements

As part of this upgrade, Microsoft is also releasing improvements for Power Display, ZoomIt, and the platform itself.

For example, Power Display, the utility that lets users control monitor brightness and hardware settings from Windows 11, now starts faster, detects monitors more quickly, and preserves settings more consistently.

This update also introduces a new Max Compatibility Mode designed to improve support for a wider range of monitors.

In the case of ZoomIt, the utility now supports webcam overlays while recording and can append multiple clips with transitions.

Finally, PowerToys now runs on .NET 10, reduces its installation footprint by 15 percent, and offers more reliable automatic updates.

Although these platform changes may not be as exciting as new features, they highlight Microsoft’s continued investment in PowerToys as a mature productivity suite rather than a collection of experimental utilities.

For existing users, version 0.100 focuses less on introducing entirely new tools and more on improving discoverability, productivity, and reliability across the experience.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I think the most important change in this release isn’t the redesigned Shortcut Guide, but the new Extensions Gallery for Command Palette. One of the biggest hurdles with PowerToys has always been discovering features, and this update makes it much easier to find and manage extensions.

I’m also glad to see Microsoft continuing to invest in performance, reliability, and platform improvements. These changes may not be flashy, but they’re often the ones that make a tool feel polished enough to become part of a daily workflow.

If you’re already using PowerToys, this is a worthwhile update. If you’re new to the suite, it’s becoming easier than ever to see why so many Windows enthusiasts consider it an essential tool.