- Microsoft is bringing automatic theme-switching to Windows via PowerToys
- The feature will allow users to set automatic switches according to their schedule
- There’s no official launch date yet, but it will be included in the next update, 0.95
Windows 11 has had its fair share of negatives in the past few months, many of which I’ve highlighted as a PC gamer, leading me to seek the best alternative operating systems available. However, one of Microsoft’s utility applications is introducing an update that could be great for personalization.
PowerToys’ next update (0.95) will introduce an automatic switch feature, which will switch between light and dark themes based on Windows users’ schedules, as reported by Windows Latest.
The announcement comes alongside the release of update 0.94, which includes numerous improvements and bug fixes.
This could go a long way in providing a better-personalized Windows experience, and is a feature that’s likely viewed as long overdue by users; macOS has had this feature for years, and while it may seem like a minor addition, it goes a long way in contributing to eye strain prevention alongside Night Light.
I’ve used PowerToys for a long time, and it’s easily one of Windows’ biggest highlights, with features that make life much easier for multitasking and work; the Always On Top feature simply pins a selected application to the front, allowing you to interact with other windows without losing focus on the pinned window (see demonstration below).
One might ask why Microsoft doesn’t just integrate a majority of the features available in PowerToys into Windows 11 natively, but considering the bug and error-filled experience with Windows 11 24H2 recently, it’s perhaps a better idea for Microsoft to keep these tools separate within PowerToys.
Analysis: if Windows 11 had its ‘full-screen experience’ earlier alongside PowerToys, I’d be less critical
I’ve not been a fan of Windows (specifically Windows 11) for a long while, and that’s a shame, since it’s been my one and only operating system for many years for work and gaming. Windows 11 24H2 has had plenty of bugs, many of which would either spoil multitasking or gaming, with game devs forced to push updates due to functionality issues.
Specifically for gaming, this could all be avoided with a SteamOS-like interface with minimal background processes; the answer is the new ‘full-screen experience‘ provided by the Xbox app, which is built for the new ROG Xbox Ally, and which will be exclusive to the device before rolling out to others next year.
With the combination of PowerToys and a gaming-friendly mode, Windows 11 can thrive and put itself back in my good books – but as I’ve said, Linux and Valve’s SteamOS has essentially got me in a chokehold, and I don’t see myself reverting from my plans to switch to Bazzite as my main operating system on my desktop PC (once improvements are made).