New Microsoft PowerToys update to v0.81 brings Advanced Paste, bug fixes, and coming sometime soon to Dev Home

On GitHub, a new Microsoft PowerToys update was released. This new update to  the PowerToys utility suite introduces a range of improvements and new features designed to boost productivity for Windows users. The latest release, version 0.81, is now available for download and comes with an exciting new feature: AI-powered Advanced Paste.

What’s new in the PowerToys update v.0.81

1. Advanced Paste: This AI-powered tool transforms your clipboard content into any format you need, focusing on developer workflows. For instance, it can convert copied Python code into C# with comments. Users can activate this feature by pressing Windows key + Shift + V.
2. Command Not Found: Now uses the PowerShell Gallery release and supports ARM64, making it easier to find and install missing commands.
3. Environment Variables Editor: The main functionality has been refactored and packaged, ready to be integrated into DevHome.
4. Hosts File Editor: Similarly, this utility has been refactored for integration into DevHome.
5. File Explorer Add-ons: Support for .srt (subtitle) file previewing in DevFiles viewer has been added.

Improvements and fixes

• General stability: Fixed crashes on older CPUs by updating .NET to 8.0.4.
• Always On Top: Enabled border anti-aliasing for better visual clarity.
• Color Picker: Improved accessibility by making the Settings and Copy to clipboard buttons focusable and allowing color picking using the keyboard.
• FancyZones: Improved the accessibility of the editor by listing the keyboard shortcuts in the Canvas Editor.

Installation and compatibility

The PowerToys 0.81 update is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 and supports both x64 and ARM64 architectures. Users can download the update from the official PowerToys GitHub page.

PowerToys coming to Dev Home

In related news, PowerToys is coming to Windows via Dev Home. This news was announced at Microsoft Build today at the Developer experience improvements in Windows session presented by Kayla Cinnamon, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, and Sharla Soennichsen, Product Manager at Microsoft.

If you would like to provide feedback on any of the features in Dev Home, you can do so by going to Settings > Feedback within the app. There you can report a bug, suggest a feature, report a translation problem, report a documentation issue, create an extension, or rep[ort a security vulnerability.

About PowerToys

In case you forgot, PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to enhance their Windows experience. It includes tools like FancyZones, PowerRename, and Color Picker, each offering specialized functions for different needs.

This PowerToys update is part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to integrate AI into its products, providing users with smarter tools to improve their workflow. The PowerToys team encourages users to download the latest version to take full advantage of the new features and improvements.

About The Author

Dave W. Shanahan

I’m Dave W. Shanahan, a Microsoft enthusiast with a passion for Windows, Xbox, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure, and more. I started MSFTNewsNow.com to keep the world updated on Microsoft news. Based in Massachusetts, you can email me at davewshanahan@gmail.com.

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