Master Multiple Monitor Management with PowerToys

While Windows 11 introduces features such as Snap layout for managing multiple monitors, navigating through various windows can still prove to be quite a task. To enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow across multiple screens, Microsoft PowerToys provides a variety of tools designed with this purpose in mind. Below, we explore seven PowerToys functionalities that facilitate professional management of multi-monitor setups.

Top 7 PowerToys Features for Users with Multiple Monitors in Windows 11

If you’re using two or more monitors, these PowerToys features can significantly boost your productivity.

1. FancyZones
2. PowerToys Run
3. Mouse Utilities
4. Always on Top
5. Keyboard Manager
6. Screen Ruler
7. Color Picker

A standout advantage of PowerToys is its lightweight design, especially when compared to third-party applications.

1] FancyZones

Though Windows does offer basic layouts, PowerToys’ Fancy Zones provide greater flexibility by allowing you to customize screen zones based on your specific workflow. This tool not only remembers the positions of individual windows but also restores them effectively. Key features include:

• Supersedes standard Windows layout options
• Facilitates movement of windows between zones on different monitors
• Options to exclude certain applications
• Automatically shifts new windows to the active monitor
• Use a middle mouse click to switch between zones

Make sure that all monitors have identical DPI scaling for optimal performance with FancyZones.

2] PowerToys Run

In Windows, pressing the Windows key usually opens the Start menu on the primary display. Instead, PowerToys Run empowers you to utilize it on whichever monitor is currently active. You can conveniently set the preferred monitor position based on either the mouse or window position.

3] Mouse Utilities

Finding the mouse pointer on multiple screens can be quite tricky. The Find My Mouse feature within PowerToys illuminates the cursor while briefly dimming the screen, helping you easily locate it.

For users operating multiple PCs, such as a desktop and laptop, the Mouse without Borders function enables seamless cursor movement between computers without requiring physical switches or additional software, along with clipboard sharing and file transfers.

Lastly, the Mouse Jump feature allows you to capture a screenshot of your entire display and then navigate your cursor to any specified location seen in that image, making it easier to click distant items.

4] Always on Top

This functionality works well in both single and multi-monitor environments. You can utilize a simple shortcut (Win+Ctrl+T) to keep a chosen window above others, which is particularly useful for accessing reference materials, videos, or monitoring tools across screens without losing visibility to other windows.

5] Keyboard Manager

The PowerToys Keyboard Manager allows for key remapping, optimizing your keyboard’s utility for flawless multi-monitor operations. This can be tailored specifically for different applications running on designated screens.

6] Screen Ruler

For tasks that require precise measurements across screens, PowerToys provides a Screen Ruler tool that can span displays with varying resolutions, crucial for graphic design and UI/UX tasks where accuracy in dimensions and spacing is key.

7] Color Picker

When working with different monitor types, color discrepancies are common due to varied profiles or calibration settings. The Color Picker enables users to sample colors directly from each monitor, ensuring consistency across designs and applications.

PowerToys equips users managing multiple monitors with robust tools that simplify workflows, enhance navigation, and boost productivity. From window management via FancyZones to precision functionality like the Color Picker, PowerToys revolutionizes the multi-monitor experience.

Can PowerToys optimize display settings across multiple monitors?

While PowerToys doesn’t directly adjust settings such as resolution or refresh rates, its features like FancyZones and Always on Top facilitate optimized window display management, allowing you to create tailored layouts for different monitors to keep important windows visible.

Does PowerToys accommodate multi-monitor setups with varying resolutions and orientations?

PowerToys seamlessly integrates with multi-monitor configurations featuring different resolutions, aspect ratios, and orientations. Tools like FancyZones and Mouse Utilities adapt to the specific characteristics of each display, ensuring consistent functionality and ease of navigation.

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.