Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11

Let’s learn the policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11. In this post, we are explaining the Group Policy Settings for PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11. Microsoft has released PowerToys version 0.64, its suite of tools for power users on Windows 11.

PowerToys Utility is the best option to tune and streamline your Windows 11 experience for greater productivity. Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities that helps you to customize Windows. The PowerToys includes the utilities such as FancyZones, PowerRename, Color picker, etc.

The new version of PowerToys helps you add a new feature for backing up and restoring settings and the option to set defaults for horizontal or vertical screens within FancyZones. It also enables you to add a File Locksmith tool to see which processes a selected file uses.

PowerToys is a free utility for Microsoft Windows developed by Microsoft. It is made available as an open-source project on GitHub; anyone can download and use it for free. PowerToys version 0.64 is released on GitHub with GroupPolicyObject files.

Patch My PC

What are the New Features of PowerToy Utilities in Windows 11?

GP-Settings-for-PowerToys-Utilities-in-Windows-11

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities developed by Microsoft for use on the Windows operating system. PowerToys are available for Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

1. Helps to add or change features to maximize productivity
2. Helps to add more customization
3. Better control the query results order
4. Highlighting rounded windows
5. Increase stability
6. Avoid Zone resets

Group Policy Settings for PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11

Check the Group Policy Settings options for PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11. Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut or Right-clicking the Start menu will open the Group Policy Editor.

You can also configure the group policies in the Domain controller using the following method. Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11.

Adaptiva

NOTE! – You can refer to my previous post, where I explained the post how to add new PowerToys ADMX Group Policies to Group Policy Settings.

  • Open the Domain policy using the Run command -> gpmc. msc
  • Press OK

More detailed domain-level group policy settings using ADMX are explained -> Microsoft Edge ADMX Group Policy Templates.

The below screenshot and steps show how to choose the Group Policy Settings for PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11.

  • Right-click the Start menu
  • Select Run from the context menu
  • Type GPEIDIT.MSC in the run box
  • Select Computer Configuration from the Group policy editor
  • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft PowerToys
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.1
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.1

27 Group Policy Settings for PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11

The PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 includes 27 settings options to manage PowerToys Utilities. The screenshot below shows the 27 Group Policy Settings for PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11.

27 Group Policy Settings for PowerToys Utilities
Always On Top: Configure Enabled State
Awake: Configure Enabled State
Color Picker: Configure Enabled State
FancyZones: Configure Enabled State
Gcode File Preview: Configure Enabled State
Gcode File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State
Markdown File Preview: Configure Enabled State
Source Code File Preview: Configure Enabled State
PDF File Preview: Configure Enabled State
PDF File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State
STL File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State
SVG File Preview: Configure Enabled State
SVG File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State
File Locksmith: Configure Enabled State
Find My Mouse: Configure Enabled State
Hosts File Editor: Configure Enabled State
Image Resizer: Configure Enabled State
Keyboard Manager: Configure Enabled State
Mouse Highlighter: Configure Enabled State
Mouse Pointer Crosshairs: Configure Enabled State
PowerToys Run: Configure Enabled State
Power Rename: Configure Enabled State
Quick Accent: Configure Enabled State
Screen Ruler: Configure Enabled State
Shortcut Guide: Configure Enabled State
Text Extractor: Configure Enabled State
Video Conference Mute: Configure Enabled State
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 Table 1

1. Always On Top: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.2
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.2

2. Awake: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.3
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.3

3. Color Picker: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.4
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.4

4. FancyZones: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.5
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.5

5. Gcode File Preview: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.6
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.6

6. Gcode File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.7
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.7

7. Markdown File Preview: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.8
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.8

8. Source Code File Preview: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.9
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.9

9. PDF File Preview: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.

Note!: There have been reports of incompatibility between the PDF Preview Handler and Outlook

Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.10
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.10

10. PDF File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.11
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.11

11. STL File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.12
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 fig.12

12. SVG File Preview: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.13
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.13

13. SVG File Thumbnail: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.14
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.14

14. File Locksmith: Configure Enabled State to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.15
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.15

15. Find My Mouse: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.16
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.16

16. Hosts File Editor: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.17
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.17

17. Image Resizer: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.18
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.18

18. Keyboard Manager: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.19
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.19

19. Mouse Highlighter: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.20
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.20

20. Mouse Pointer Crosshairs: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.21
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.21

21. PowerToys Run: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.22
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.22

22. Power Rename: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.23
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.23

23. Quick Accent: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.24
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.24

24. Screen Ruler: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.25
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.25

25. Shortcut Guide: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.26
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.26

26. Text Extractor: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.27
PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.27

27. Video Conference Mute: Configure Enabled State

This policy configures the enabled state for a PowerToys utility. If you enable this setting, the utility will always be enabled, and the user won’t be able to disable it.

  • If you disable this setting, the utility will always be disabled, and the user won’t be able to enable it.
  • Users can disable or enable the utility if you don’t configure this setting.
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.28
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 | Group Policy Settings fig.28

Intune PowerToys Policies

Go through Intune Settings Catalog Guide (linked below) to create the policy in detail. Search with the keyboard for this context: PowerToys —the detailed explanation is presented below.

There are NO Intune PowerToys policies available. I checked the Intune settings catalog search function to find the Intune policies to control PowerToys. But there are no policies available.

NOTE! – More details on Intune settings catalog guide – Create Intune Settings Catalog Policy.

Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11  Fig. 29
Policies to Control PowerToys Utilities in Windows 11 Fig. 29

Author

About Author – Vidya is a computer enthusiast. She is here to share quick tips and tricks with Windows 11 or Windows 10 users. She is also keen to find solutions to day-to-day tech problems and write about them.

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