How To Check Virtualization and Set Up PowerToys Step by Step

1. Preparation: Checking System Virtualization Settings

Before diving into the installation of Microsoft PowerToys, it’s essential to verify that virtualization is enabled on your Windows computer. This feature is crucial as PowerToys relies on it for proper functioning, and based on user experiences, installations often fail without it. This section provides a detailed guide to checking and enabling virtualization, helping you sidestep common pitfalls and prepare your system effectively.

1. Step 1: Press the Win key and R key simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Step 2: Type “taskmgr” in the text input field and click “OK” to launch the Task Manager.
3. Step 3: In the Task Manager, select the “Performance” tab on the left side.
4. Step 4: Switch to the “CPU” subsection on the right.
5. Step 5: Look at the bottom right for the “Virtualization” entry; if it says “Enabled,” your system is ready; if “Disabled,” proceed to enable it.
6. Step 6: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10 during boot, depending on your motherboard).
7. Step 7: Navigate to the “Advanced” or “CPU Configuration” section and enable “Intel VT-x” or “AMD-V” based on your processor.
8. Step 8: Save the changes and exit, then reboot and recheck in Task Manager to confirm virtualization is now enabled.

This preparatory step not only ensures compatibility for PowerToys but also enhances overall system capabilities, especially for tasks involving virtual machines or advanced software.

2. First Installation Method: Via Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store offers one of the simplest ways to install PowerToys, providing an official, secure channel with automatic updates. This method is ideal for beginners, as it requires no external downloads or elevated privileges, making the process straightforward and integrated into the Windows ecosystem. Here, we’ll break down the steps in detail to get you up and running quickly.

1. Step 1: Click the Start menu on the taskbar and search for “Microsoft Store” to open the app.
2. Step 2: In the Store’s search bar, enter “PowerToys” and press Enter to search.
3. Step 3: From the results, select “Microsoft PowerToys” and enter its detail page.
4. Step 4: Review the app description to confirm it’s the official version, then click the “Install” or “Get” button.
5. Step 5: Wait for the download and installation to complete, which typically takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
6. Step 6: After installation, go back to the Start menu, search for “PowerToys,” and click the app icon to launch it.
7. Step 7: On first launch, explore the welcome interface and the left-side tool list, including system tools and window layouts.
8. Step 8: For future updates, the Store will handle them automatically without manual effort.

This approach excels in convenience and security, making it perfect for casual users to experience PowerToys’ productivity boosts without hassle.

3. Second Installation Method: Downloading from GitHub

For those who prefer more control over the installation, downloading the PowerToys installer from GitHub is a solid option. It allows selection of specific versions and supports per-user or machine-wide setups. This is great for experienced users comfortable with browsers and permissions. This section outlines the navigation and installation process thoroughly.

1. Step 1: Open your web browser (e.g., Edge or Chrome) and search for “PowerToys” in the address bar.
2. Step 2: Choose the first result, typically from “learn.microsoft.com,” and click to access the official page.
3. Step 3: Locate and click the “Download” button to redirect to the GitHub Releases page.
4. Step 4: In the Releases section, identify the latest version (e.g., 0.94.1) and review the available installers.
5. Step 5: Select the appropriate type—”PowerToysUserSetup-0.94.1-x64.exe” for current user only (no admin rights needed); “PowerToysSetup-0.94.1-x64.exe” for all users (requires admin privileges).
6. Step 6: Ensure your system is 64-bit (x64) and click to download the file.
7. Step 7: Once downloaded, double-click the .exe file to start the setup wizard, read the license, and click “I Agree.”
8. Step 8: Click “Install” to proceed; the process is intuitive, and upon completion, you’ll see “Installation successfully completed”—click “Close” to finish.

Installing via GitHub gives access to open-source insights and version flexibility, ideal for customization.

4. Third Installation Method: Using WinGet Command-Line Tool

Command-line enthusiasts will appreciate installing PowerToys with WinGet, Windows’ package manager, for its efficiency and automation. This method bypasses graphical interfaces, suiting developers or scripted environments. We’ll guide you through copying the command to execution in this section.

1. Step 1: Return to the PowerToys download page on Microsoft and switch to the “WinGet” tab.
2. Step 2: Copy the provided installation command (e.g., “winget install –id Microsoft.PowerToys –source winget”).
3. Step 3: Press Win + R to open Run, type “cmd,” and click “OK” to open Command Prompt.
4. Step 4: Right-click in the Command Prompt to paste the command and press Enter to run it.
5. Step 5: If prompted for admin rights, restart Command Prompt as administrator and retry.
6. Step 6: Allow WinGet to download and install automatically; if already installed, it will notify you.
7. Step 7: Post-installation, search for “PowerToys” in Start menu to launch.
8. Step 8: For upgrades, use “winget upgrade –id Microsoft.PowerToys” to check and apply updates.

WinGet highlights PowerToys’ modern integration, streamlining management for advanced users.

5. Uninstalling PowerToys: Freeing Up System Resources

Should you decide to remove PowerToys—perhaps to reinstall or reclaim space (about 1.37GB)—Windows Settings makes it easy. This ensures a clean removal without leftovers. This section details the steps for a safe uninstall.

1. Step 1: Open the Start menu and select the “Settings” gear icon.
2. Step 2: In Settings, click “Apps” on the left.
3. Step 3: Select “Installed apps” on the right.
4. Step 4: Search for “PowerToys” in the search bar.
5. Step 5: Click the ellipsis (…) next to the app for more options.
6. Step 6: Choose “Uninstall” and confirm the action.
7. Step 7: Wait for the process to finish and verify the app is gone from Start menu.
8. Step 8: Optionally, delete any remaining files in the installation folder (e.g., in Program Files).

Uninstalling maintains system integrity, allowing easy reinstallation later.

6. Demo Video

You can watch the following demo video by select the subtitle to your preferred subtitle language.