● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsLow impact2 neutral
Microsoft PowerToys 0.102 adds CursorHide, Mouse Button Lock, and Command Palette improvements
Key points
- PowerToys 0.102 released with new features.
- Mouse Button Lock enables sustained dragging/selection.
- CursorHide automatically hides the mouse pointer.
- Command Palette gains a quick-access shelf.
New Mouse Utilities Introduced
Microsoft PowerToys 0.102 includes two new mouse utilities: Mouse Button Lock and CursorHide. Mouse Button Lock allows users to lock a mouse button, enabling continuous dragging or selection without holding the button down. This feature is intended to assist in gaming, professional applications requiring extensive dragging, and accessibility for users with difficulty holding down mouse buttons.
CursorHide automatically conceals the mouse pointer when the user is typing or when the mouse remains stationary. This aims to reduce visual distractions during active work or content consumption.
Command Palette and Command-Line Enhancements
The Command Palette quick launcher in PowerToys now features a quick-access shelf. Users can add up to nine commands to this shelf, accessible via keyboard shortcuts (Alt+1 through Alt+9) for immediate execution or selection. This provides faster access to frequently used PowerToys functions.
Additionally, the update introduces new command-line tools, allowing PowerToys to be scripted from the terminal. This enables automation and integration into other workflows.
Additional Features and Background
Other changes in PowerToys 0.102 include tap-alone remaps and a searchable key picker for Keyboard Manager, and a new ZoomIt feature that adds text to screenshots using dictation. These updates build on previous PowerToys additions, such as Window Hopper, which was introduced in August to facilitate quicker switching between application windows.
PowerToys originated as a collection of freeware tools developed by Windows engineers. In 2019, Microsoft revived it as an open-source utility pack designed to extend Windows functionality and offer alternatives to third-party tools.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Microsoft released PowerToys version 0.102, introducing two new mouse utilities: Mouse Button Lock and CursorHide. Mouse Button Lock allows users to select large blocks of text without continuously holding the mouse button, while CursorHide automatically hides the mouse cursor when not in use.
Microsoft released PowerToys 0.102, introducing new mouse utilities like CursorHide and Mouse Button Lock, alongside Command Palette enhancements and command-line tools. These additions provide users with more control over mouse behavior and quicker access to PowerToys functions, improving accessibility and workflow efficiency for Windows users.