Following the preview of new PowerToys Peek utility, Microsoft releases feature-packed PowerToys v0.57.2

Earlier this week we learned about a prototype PowerToys utility called Peek which is set to bring a macOS-style Quick Look feature to Windows 11. There is no word on when this handy tool will be added to the PowerToys suite but in the meantime, there is a new update to install.

With the release of PowerToys v0.57.2, Microsoft introduced an important number of tweaks, changes and new settings for utilities including PowerToys Run and AlwaysOnTop. There is also a key change to FancyZones for Windows 11 users.

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In the release notes for PowerToys v0.57.2, Microsoft says: "This is a patch release to fix issues in v0.57.2 to fix a few bugs we deemed important for stability based on incoming rates".

But in many ways this downplays the significance of the update.

Windows 11 users who have been frustrated by the removal of rounded corners when using FancyZones will be pleased to find that there is now a new setting that can be used to change this. There are also numerous changes to PowerToys Run, including the ability to run programs as different users, a reduction in system resource usage, and the re-appearance of shortcuts to Control Panel and File Explorer.

While only a minor jump in version number, PowerToys v0.57.2 has a fairly extensive changelog:

• #17332: AlwaysOnTop windows would lose their topmost status sometimes. It'll be reapplied when detected.
• #17390: PowerToys Run would consume 100% of the CPU when many changes were done on settings. This is fixed.
• #17406: FancyZones not restoring rounded corners after unsnapping bug is fixed.
• #17367: Not everyone was happy with FancyZones removing rounded corners on Windows 11. This is now a setting.
• #17318: Settings would get stuck in a loop checking for updates too frequently. This is fixed.
• #1605: PowerToys Run can now run programs as a different user.
• #17468: PowerToys Run WindowWalker crashed on startup on certain Virtual Desktop configurations. This is fixed.
• #16283: New installations or updates of VS Code were not being picked up by PowerToys Run.
• #17454: PowerToys Run was taking a long time to show queries on configurations with many network interfaces. This is fixed.
• #17027: Some applications were not being resnapped to a Zone as they were restarted. This is fixed.
• #17410: Sign the PowerToys .msi file bundled in the .exe installer.
• #17513: Special shortcuts like Control Panel and File Explorer appear again in PowerToys Run.
• #16552: Improve FancyZones Editor grid editor support for screen readers.
• #17537: Update the .net core installed version to 3.1.23, containing security fixes.
• #17493: Fix crash on Developer File Preview when the setting file is not created yet.
• #17539: Fix FancyZones bug when restoring original size of windows when unsnapping on certain display scalings.
• #17570: Additional logging for the Windows Terminal plugin in PowerToys Run.

You can find out more and download PowerToys v0.57.2 from GitHub, or use the update option of your current version to upgrade.