How to Use Microsoft PowerToys on a Gaming PC: 6 Tools Worth Enabling

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities from Microsoft that adds window layouts, quick launching and small quality-of-life tools to Windows 11. On a gaming PC, six of them are worth enabling: FancyZones, Always On Top, Awake, Command Palette, Workspaces and the mouse utilities. The fastest way in is to install PowerToys, open its Settings window and switch on only the tools you will use. Plan on about fifteen minutes for installation and setup on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2.

Quick Answer

• Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store, from the GitHub release page, or with winget install –id Microsoft.PowerToys –source winget.
• Open PowerToys Settings and enable FancyZones, Always On Top, Awake, Command Palette, Workspaces and Mouse utilities.
• Leave Keyboard Manager off while gaming. Microsoft advises against using it during games.
• Set the tools that overlay windows to skip Game Mode where an option exists.
• Turn off any tool that interferes with a particular game or anti-cheat system.

Before You Start

PowerToys is an open-source project published by Microsoft, and it runs as a background app with a tray icon. It is a sound choice, yet anything that runs alongside games deserves a few precautions.

• Requirements. Windows 11, or Windows 10 version 2004 or newer, on a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor. The installer adds the WebView2 runtime if it is missing.
• Background use. Each enabled tool uses some memory and may use background processing. Enable only what you need, and note that gains in convenience are personal rather than measured.
• Anti-cheat and online games. Software that hooks keyboard input or draws over other windows can interact badly with some anti-cheat systems. Check your game’s support page before running input-related tools, and never use an on-screen aid that the game’s rules forbid. A crosshair overlay in an online shooter, for example, is not acceptable in many titles.
• Elevated apps. PowerToys tools cannot control windows that run as administrator unless PowerToys itself runs as administrator, which brings its own considerations.
• Updates. PowerToys checks for new versions while running and can notify you. Updating through the same channel you installed from keeps things simple.

Method 1: Install PowerToys

1. Choose an install route. The Microsoft Store listing and the GitHub release page are the two Microsoft recommends, and package managers are available too.
2. For the command-line route, right-click Start, open Terminal, and run winget install –id Microsoft.PowerToys –source winget.
3. For the GitHub route, download the installer matching your processor (x64 or ARM64) and choose either the per-user or machine-wide version. Per-user installs for your account only; machine-wide installs for all accounts.
4. Run the installer and follow the prompts. When it finishes, an overview window explains each utility.
5. Open PowerToys from the Start menu. The Home page lists utilities with on and off switches and shows their shortcuts.
6. Turn on the six tools described below. Everything else can stay off.

Why it works: PowerToys keeps each utility separate, so nothing runs until you switch it on. This keeps the background footprint small.

Method 2: Enable the Six Tools

Each tool below takes under two minutes to configure.

1. FancyZones

FancyZones lets you build custom window layouts, which helps when a game runs windowed or borderless next to a guide, chat or monitoring overlay.

1. In PowerToys Settings, open FancyZones and turn it on.
2. Press Win + Shift + ` (the backtick key) to open the layout editor, or use Open layout editor.
3. Pick a template, such as a wide main zone with a narrow side column, or use Create new layout.
4. Drag a window while holding Shift to see the zones, then drop it into one.

FancyZones lists a few launchers and apps that cannot be snapped, so check its compatibility notes if a window refuses to move.

2. Always On Top

Pin a window, such as a build planner or a temperature monitor, above everything else with Win + Ctrl + T. Press the same shortcut to unpin. Under its settings, turn on Do not activate when Game Mode is on if you want to avoid accidental pins during play. Fullscreen exclusive games may not show pinned windows, so use windowed or borderless mode.

3. Awake

Awake keeps the PC from sleeping without editing your power plan, which suits long downloads and game updates. Enable it, then use the tray icon or Settings to choose Keep awake indefinitely, Keep awake for a time interval or Keep awake until expiration. The Keep screen on switch controls the display. Awake does not work while the lock screen is showing, so lock the PC only after the job finishes.

4. Command Palette

Press Win + Alt + Space to open Command Palette, then type. It launches apps, runs commands, opens Windows Settings pages (type $ followed by a page name), and can show system metrics such as CPU, memory, disk and GPU usage. It also replaces the older PowerToys Run launcher.

5. Workspaces

1. Open your game launcher, voice chat and monitoring tool, and arrange them how you like.
2. Press Win + Ctrl + ` to open the Workspaces editor and click Create workspace.
3. Click Capture, name the workspace, and optionally create a desktop shortcut.
4. Launch it later with one click. A dialog shows each app’s launch status.

Windows may visibly jump into place because PowerToys launches an app and then moves it. Apps launched as administrator may not reposition, which Microsoft lists as a known issue.

6. Mouse utilities

This group includes Find My Mouse, Mouse Highlighter, Mouse Jump and Mouse Pointer Crosshairs. Find My Mouse highlights the pointer when you press Left Ctrl twice, and Mouse Highlighter toggles with Win + Shift + H. Mouse Jump helps move across large multi-monitor setups. The crosshair tool is meant for accessibility and precision tasks, so avoid using it as an aiming aid in online games.

Method 3: Choose What Stays On

Use this table to decide which utilities stay enabled for gaming sessions.

1. Before a gaming session, open PowerToys Settings and switch off tools that have shortcuts you might hit by accident.
2. If a game uses a key combination that clashes with a PowerToys shortcut, change the PowerToys shortcut in that tool’s settings.
3. Close PowerToys from the tray icon when you want a clean environment, for example when diagnosing a stutter.

Why it works: keeping the enabled set small limits both background load and the chance of input conflicts.

If It Did Not Work

• Shortcuts do nothing. Check that the tool is on in Settings and that PowerToys is running in the tray. Another app may use the same combination; change it in the tool’s settings.
• FancyZones will not snap a window. Hold Shift while dragging, make sure the app is not on the incompatible list, and add or remove it from the excluded apps. For an elevated window, run PowerToys as administrator.
• Always On Top has no effect on a game. Switch the game to windowed or borderless mode, and check whether Game Mode blocking is enabled in the tool.
• Game stutters with PowerToys running. Exit PowerToys from the tray, play again and compare. Turn off Keyboard Manager first, as Microsoft notes it can affect frame rate.
• Anti-cheat warning or kick. Close PowerToys before launching the game and read the game’s support page. Do not try to bypass the protection.
• Install fails. Run the installer again, check free disk space, and use the Store or winget route as an alternative. Microsoft also provides clean-up scripts on the project’s GitHub page for broken uninstalls.

Common Questions

Is PowerToys safe to use on a gaming PC?

It is a Microsoft-published open-source tool, and it is generally safe for desktop use. For online games with anti-cheat, check the game’s rules, because software that hooks input or draws overlays may be flagged.

Does PowerToys lower my frame rate?

Most tools are idle until used. Microsoft specifically warns that Keyboard Manager can affect FPS in games, so keep it off while playing.

Can I use PowerToys on Windows 10?

Yes, Windows 10 version 2004 or newer works, though this guide focuses on Windows 11 menus.

Why are the shortcuts not working inside a game?

Some games capture keyboard input exclusively. Use windowed or borderless mode, or open the tools before launching the game.

How do I remove PowerToys?

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find PowerToys, open its menu and choose Uninstall. Your game settings are not affected.

Update History

• October 14, 2026 – Initial publication; steps checked against Windows 11 24H2/25H2 and current driver releases.
• Menus can differ slightly by Windows build, BIOS vendor and driver version; check your own screens against the steps.

Sources

• Microsoft Learn documentation for PowerToys, including install, FancyZones, Always On Top, Awake, Command Palette, Workspaces, Mouse utilities and Keyboard Manager
• Microsoft documentation on Windows 11 Settings and Game Mode