Add a start menu entry for PowerToys that make sense (example: Hosts editor, run, color picker, ...)

[unuing]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

To add a start menu entry for hosts editor, bug report, color picker, ...

Scenario when this would be used?

Then I don't need to launch it in PowerToys settings.

Supporting information

No response

[snarum]

I think it's really odd that the only place to open the new feature is from the settings page. A shortcut, or maybe a context menu item on the powertoys system tray icon could be nice as well.

[groleau]

I pinned the Hosts File Editor to the taskbar for quick access, but by opening it this way it doesn't have administrator rights so changes can't be saved (I'm using Windows 11). The only way seems to launch it from PowerToys settings.

[inoyakaigor]

Moreover it can be showed in PT Run (together with other PT apps). Otherwise left click on icon in system tray could be activate menu with list of all PT apps.

In short this problem not only about Hosts editor

[unuing]

Also, I think you should add a command called hostsedit or something else.

[crutkas]

agreed

[codermanatblahblahblah]

It would be better if it was a pinnable to the taskbar like the windows start menu not as a tray icon though. maybe create an app extension that can have a different icon and would be in the taskbar.

[crutkas]

@codermanatblahblahblah

if you launch it, you can pin it. Issue you'll face with it pinned is it won't launch elevated

[codermanatblahblahblah]

I wanted Powertoys run to be pinable not powertoys.Hosts

[aproposts]

At the least, it should be possible to assign a hotkey as is done for other PowerToys apps.

[codermanatblahblahblah]

Yes but can a hotkey be pinned on to the taskbar. I have searched it up but no one has found a way

[Jay-o-Way]

Yes but can a hotkey be pinned on to the taskbar. I have searched it up but no one has found a way

It's not too difficult:

1. when pinned, right-click the icon and then right-click the name of the app this is actually a .lnk shortcut (file) just like in Start Menu
2. then click Properties
3. on that window, the tab "Shortcut" is opened and here you have the box "Hotkey"
4. focus here, press a letter and Windows will add "Ctrl + Alt" in front of it.

[Jay-o-Way]

Sounds like issue #7423

[codermanatblahblahblah]

But where is the power toys run app

[Jay-o-Way]

@codermanatblahblahblah most modules are designed so that they are run via the PowerToys runner. In other words, they are not designed to run as standalone apps. @crutkas are there possibilities to make them more independent?

[codermanatblahblahblah]

So is it possible to pin the to the taskbar

[aproposts]

The only reason I suggested a hotkey combination is because that is the method by which a lot of other PowerToys utilities are launched and there seem to be patterns developed around that way of doing things.

What @Jay-o-Way has demonstrated is that everything everyone is asking for in this thread (so far) is possible with a pinned shortcut; whether it's for the Hosts Editor or the PowerToys settings panel:

• The pinned Taskbar item can have properties edited to run as Administrator.
• It may have a keyboard shortcut assigned.
• After pinning, the shortcut may be copied out of C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar to add it to the Start Menu or put wherever you want.

That said, I think the underlying issue needs to be addressed: As shipped, the only way to launch the hosts editor is from the PowerToys settings panel. This is inconsistent with the rest of the utilities and should be normalized.

I support the other ideas for making the utilities more broadly accessible on the system; but I'm happy at the moment to have a way to launch the hosts editor without having to open PowerToys settings. So thanks, @Jay-o-Way!

[codermanatblahblahblah]

How do I pin a key shortcut

[codermanatblahblahblah]

cause what I need is alt + space (power toys runner) to be pined to taskbar

[crutkas]

@jay-o-way, https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/7423 is about right click actions. Same concept but different. Example of this would be right click on Outlook, you see "New email message"

[RespectIsEverything]

Serendipitous that this issue was pinned.

Rather than a complete rewrite, the UX could be more easily tweaked. Apps that are enabled listed the top. Apps that are disabled placed in a collapsed tree.

It would also be much more pleasant if each app's GUI was able to open in an isolated window. e.g. ImageResizer can only be run from Window's hidden classic context menu. Awake's executable must be located in Explorer, it's just a cmd window with no tray icon.

It's nice that certain projects got some exposure, but PowerToys is quickly becoming a bloated mess that actually gimps the software it assimilates into its collective.

[ddbtrmatic]

I often forget the hotkeys for seldom used tools. Adding shortcuts to the taskbar context menu will be a huge usability improvement.

[Jay-o-Way]

@ddbtrmatic I had the same idea. Concept is visible in #24880. Needs consent, though.

[Railander]

had to use the host file editor and was bummed that i couldn't find it in start menu by searching for "host" or "hosts". having to open powertoys, navigating to the host editor and opening from there kinda defeats the point of having a handy and convenient way to edit the hosts file. would very much like to have a way to search and run it from the start menu searchbox.

[inoyakaigor]

@railander there is exists a special menu if you click on tray icon

[gomarcus]

How is this coming along? Really 🙏 need it, to use powertoys on my touch devices! -> https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/28485 Would imagine, that implementing this feature does not take much time.