- Advanced Paste incorporates cloud and on-premises AI providers (Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Google Gemini, Mistral, Foundry Local and Ollama).
- Command Palette receives file/folder filters, interface improvements, performance enhancements, and new window options.
- PowerRename allows renaming with EXIF/XMP metadata: camera, lens, exposure time, GPS, and date.
- Fixes and improvements are coming to Awake, Find My Mouse, ZoomIt, Quick Accent, Peek and more; available on the Microsoft Store and GitHub.
Microsoft has published Power Toys 0.96 for Windows 10 and Windows 11This update focuses on refining existing modules and fine-tuning the overall performance of the system. It is notable for the following: Advances in Advanced Paste, the revamped Command Palette, and new PowerRename options, along with multiple fixes and stability improvements.
Although no entirely new utilities are being released, the package It incorporates relevant changes. that are noticeable in everyday life: AI model selection for advanced pasting, more precise filters in the launcher, and renaming with photographic metadataIn Spain and the rest of Europe, the download is available for free at Microsoft Store and GitHub, and you can install PowerToys Run on Windows 11, with direct updates from PowerToys itself.
Key new features of Advanced Paste
Advanced Paste high compatibility with multiple AI model providersBoth in the cloud and locally, so you can choose the most suitable engine for each paste depending on the type of content or privacy preferences. This change Avoid relying on a single service and opens the door to more versatile workflows.
- Cloud providers: Azure OpenAI, OpenAI and Google Gemini.
- Alternative models: Mistral.
- Local options: Foundry Local y Don't.
Local engine support is especially useful when data protection is a priority or when working offline, something that It meets the strictest privacy requirements typical in Europe.Furthermore, if your team has sufficient resources, you can leverage AI without hiring additional staff. subscriptions outside.
Improvements to Command Palette
La Command palette (default shortcut Windows + Alt + Space) speeds up the presentation of results and incorporates a clearer interface and works as a Spotlight-style search engine in WindowsIt is now possible to filter searches to see only files or alone foldersPractical adjustments and new window options have been added.
- Open Configure from anywhere with Ctrl +,.
- La window can remember size and last position, or focus on opening.
- Search field and menus with a unified style y response times more agile.
- Useful metadata in the clipboard history (image dimensions, text size, link titles, etc.).
- Page Up Navigation y Page Down from the search box.
- Fixes: visibility of filters, disappearance of the search box, icons, presence in the taskbar, and updating of labels and icons.
- Optimized extensions: Smoother WinGet, Window Walker with real window icons and better handling of UWP apps, improvements to Windows Terminal profiles.
- Enhanced error handling with a global controller that registers unexpected failures.
PowerRename and photographic metadata
El PowerRename bulk renamer You can extract image metadata using EXIF and XMP to create more descriptive filenamesAmong the supported fields are camera model, lens model, exposure time, GPS coordinates, and capture date, facilitating the organization of large photographic libraries.
Those who work with photo catalogs will appreciate it to be able to generate consistent renown patterns based on technical information from each shotwithout having to edit metadata or names manually.
Other changes and corrections
In addition to the three main areas, this launch includes a long list of quality settings in utilities and in the project's foundation itself, to improve stability, accessibility and maintenance.
- Awake: more accurate timer over extended periods and correct position of the context menu.
- Find My Mouse: it no longer changes the cursor to "busy" or interferes with the focus of the active app.
- Host File Editor: customizable backup options (frequency, location and automatic deletion).
- image Resizer: consistency of configuration in resizing batches.
- Light switch: New interface for entering latitude/longitude in sunrise/sunset mode and more stable service.
- Mouse Crosshair: switching between cross and slide cursor modes.
- Mouse Without Borders: horizontal displacement support.
- Peek: solution to the blocking of multimedia files after closing the preview and new command line interface.
- Quick Accent: The diameter symbol (⌀) is added with Shift + O in special characters.
- Zoomin: smoother zoom animation, GIF support, and more accurate "actual size" captures.
- Settings: improved visual controls, sorting of utilities by name/status, and direct access to the update page from the information bar.
- Maintenance and development: Updated .NET packages (9.0.10) with security patches, installer migration to WiX v5CI optimizations, one-pass machine and user installers, and accessibility improvements for screen readers.
Availability, download and requirements
PowerToys is a open source utility suite for advanced Windows users. This version is windows compatible 10 (since version 2004) and with Windows 11Users can find out how to install PowerToys Run on Windows 10It can be obtained free of charge from the Microsoft Store and from GitHub, and those who already have it installed can update from the built-in updater.
Along with the functional improvements, the package includes minor and security fixes which should be implemented as soon as possible. For European environments, local AI model support is a plus for those who prefer to keep data on the device and limit traffic to the cloud.
This delivery of Power Toys 0.96 is presented as a leap in qualityMore control in Advanced Paste thanks to AI, a faster and more usable Command Palette, and a much more powerful PowerRename with metadata; a recommended update for Windows 10 and 11 users looking to refine their workflow.
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