Microsoft released PowerToys 0.100.0 on June 10, 2026, a milestone update that overhauls several beloved utilities and introduces new extension capabilities. The free, open-source toolset for Windows power users gains a rebuilt Shortcut Guide, a Command Palette Extension Gallery, multi-monitor Dock support, Power Display refinements, and ZoomIt recording upgrades. PowerToys now runs on Windows 10 version 2004 and newer, requiring the .NET 8 runtime.

What’s New in PowerToys 0.100.0

The 0.100.0 update marks a round number in the versioning scheme, emphasizing the maturity of the project. Since its revival in 2019, PowerToys has grown from a handful of utilities to a comprehensive suite trusted by millions. This release focuses on polish, extensibility, and deeper integration with Windows 11 aesthetics.

Shortcut Guide Rebuilt for Clarity

The Shortcut Guide—which displays a grid of Windows key shortcuts when you hold down the Windows key—has been rebuilt from the ground up. It now uses WinUI 3 for a modern, acrylic-blurred overlay that matches Windows 11 visuals. The guide is fully customizable: users can choose which shortcuts appear, reorder them, and even define custom actions that launch scripts or open apps. The activation delay and behavior (hold vs. double-press) are adjustable in Settings. Accessibility improvements include high-contrast support and screen reader integration.

PowerToys Run, the launcher, has been renamed to Command Palette and now supports an Extension Gallery. Anyone can create and share extensions using a simple JSON manifest and PowerShell or JavaScript plugin scripts. Built-in browsers let you install extensions from a curated gallery with one click. Extensions can perform web searches, manage to-do lists, control smart home devices, or integrate with third-party services like Spotify or GitHub. Developers get a template and detailed documentation on the PowerToys GitHub wiki.

Multi-Monitor Dock Support

Dock, the new utility that lets you pin app windows as floating panels, now works across multiple monitors. Panels can be locked to a specific screen or float freely, retaining their position and size when displays are added or removed. The dock itself can be mirrored on all screens or unique per monitor. This makes Dock useful for video editors, streamers, and traders who span applications across several displays.

Power Display Refinements

Power Display, the monitor profiling tool, receives a user interface overhaul and new capabilities. You can now calibrate HDR brightness, contrast, and color temperature with on-screen guides. Profiles can be tied to specific apps and automatically switch when the app gains focus—ideal for photographers switching between Lightroom and a web browser. A new night mode scheduler reduces blue light gradually, mimicking natural sunset transitions.

ZoomIt Recording Upgrades

ZoomIt, the screen zoom and annotation tool, gains a recording toolbar. Instead of just zooming and drawing, you can now record your annotated screen with audio from microphone and system output. Recordings are saved as MP4 files with customizable resolution and frame rate. The zoom window can be dragged and resized dynamically, and annotations now support multi-touch and pen pressure in Windows Ink. New annotation shapes include arrows, speech bubbles, and highlighter strokes that fade after a few seconds.

Additional Improvements

Beyond the headliners, version 0.100.0 includes many smaller fixes and tweaks:
- FancyZones now supports zone layouts that automatically adjust when a monitor is rotated or the resolution changes.
- Image Resizer gets new preset sizes for social media banners, YouTube thumbnails, and Twitch emotes.
- Keyboard Manager adds a visual key remapping graph and the ability to import/export profiles.
- PowerRename now uses the new Windows file dialog for a consistent look and can apply rename rules to selected items in any folder.
- File Explorer add-ons for SVG and PDF preview are updated with faster rendering and better security.

Community Driven, Open Source

PowerToys is developed by Microsoft but thrives on community contributions. The 0.100.0 release includes code from over 80 external contributors, with translations in 45 languages. User feedback shaped the Shortcut Guide redesign; a preview version had been in testing for two months, and the overlay performance was optimized after bug reports highlighted stuttering on lower-end GPUs.

The Command Palette extension model was inspired by popular third-party launchers like ueli and Flow Launcher, which already offer plugin architectures. Microsoft listened when users asked for a native, supported way to extend PowerToys without relying on separate tools.

How to Get PowerToys 0.100.0

You can download the latest version from the Microsoft Store or the GitHub releases page. The installer is also available as a winget package: winget install Microsoft.PowerToys. Existing users will receive the update automatically if they enabled auto‑update in the general settings. The .NET 8 prerequisite is included in the installer, so no separate download is needed.

What’s Next for PowerToys?

The roadmap for 0.101 and beyond includes a native ARM64 build of the entire toolset, a new Always On Top utility that works like DeskPins, and deeper integration with Windows Copilot to trigger PowerToys functions via natural language. The team continues to welcome suggestions on the GitHub discussions page.

PowerToys 0.100.0 solidifies the suite as an essential add-on for anyone serious about Windows productivity. The rebuilt Shortcut Guide alone is worth the update, but the extensibility of Command Palette and the multi-monitor Dock will change how you work across a desktop battle station.