Microsoft’s new PowerToys shortcut lets you Alt+Tab within a single app
There’s only two things I don’t like about this new, free, PowerToys application: first, it uses the “backtick” key by default, which won’t be familiar to many users. The backtick (“`”) is basically the key that should live at the top left-hand corner of your keyboard, though you should be able to adjust the keyboard shortcut to another key command.
Secondly, Window Hopper isn’t available. It should be! Window Hopper is described in the PowerToys update log, but it didn’t show up in my local version of PowerToys, which supposedly updated just this morning.
The new version of PowerToys is accompanied by a host of small updates for other tools, all of which are described on GitHub.
One of the most significant is the addition of a new Insider channel, which will allow enthusiasts to try out new PowerToys features sooner. The PowerToys settings (Settings > General > Update channel) will allow you to switch between the Stable and Insider builds. I’m personally not in favor of this, as Microsoft already has an issue with fragmentation and advertised features not always showing up. Still, PowerToys caters to those who wish to optimize their PCs above all else, so I can understand users who wish to take part.
Microsoft
Interestingly, this is the second twist we’ve seen on the Alt+Tab shortcut in this month alone. Just two weeks ago Stardock Software announced AltTabby, another way of configuring your open windows.
Other than that, here are my favorite new PowerToys additions:
