How to install PowerToys on Windows

Microsoft's PowerToys app unlocks a lot of productivity enhancements for Windows 11 (and 10), and here's how to install it.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 install PowerToys
Windows 11 install PowerToys
  • To install PowerToys on Windows, open the Microsoft Store, search for PowerToys, and click “Install.” 
  • You can also download the installer from GitHub to install it like any other Windows 11 or 10 app.
  • The easiest way to install PowerToys is to open Command Prompt as admin and run the winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys command.

PowerToys is a free application created by Microsoft that you can download and install on Windows 11 and 10 to improve your experience with tools and features and help you be a little more productive.

For example, the application includes a window manager to make it easier to create different window layouts. You can use the image resizer to quickly change the size of images with a single click and a tool to bulk rename files. The keyboard manager allows you to remap keys and create custom shortcuts. There is also a color picker to find the colors of anything on the screen quickly and much more.

If you want to enhance the Windows experience with more functionalities, you can install PowerToys using the standalone installer from GitHub, Microsoft Store, and Windows Package Manager (winget) command-line tool. Although you can choose any of the methods, I usually find that using the “winget” command is the easiest and fastest, allowing you to download the latest stable or preview of the app.

This guide will teach you the simple steps to download and install PowerToys on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Install PowerToys from Microsoft Store

To install PowerToys on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft PowerToys page.

  2. Click the “Get in Store app” button.

  3. Click the Install button.

    Microsoft Store install PowerToys

Once you complete the steps, your computer will install the latest stable version of PowerToys. If you want to install the preview or an older version, use the GitHub or winget options.

Install PowerToys from GitHub

To install the PowerToys app on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open PowerToys GitHub page.

  2. In the “Latest” section, under “Assets,” click the PowerToysSetup-x.xx.x-x64.exe file to download the installer.

  3. Double-click the file to launch the setup.

  4. Check the option to agree to the terms.

  5. Click the Install button.

    PowerToys GitHub install

After you complete the steps, the application will run in the background. You can open it using the icon in the notification area or from the Start menu.

Install PowerToys from winget

To install PowerToys from Command Prompt with winget, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to install the latest preview of PowerToys and press Enter:

    winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys

    Winget install PowerToys

  4. (Optional) Type the following command to install PowerToys (stable) from the Microsoft Store and press Enter:

    winget -s msstore powertoys
    Quick tip: You can also use the winget install --id XP89DCGQ3K6VLD command to install the app from the Microsoft Store.

Once you complete the steps, the specified version of PowerToys will install on Windows 11 (or 10).

Update April 9, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].