Microsoft released PowerToys v0.63.0 on October 4, 2022, with a smaller installer, a QuickAccent language selector, and fixes across several utilities. Microsoft’s release notes compare the installer at 83 MB for v0.63.0 with 125 MB for v0.62.1; the stated installed size fell from 817 MB to 587 MB.
How much smaller is the PowerToys v0.63.0 installer?
Microsoft reported these figures in its v0.63.0 release notes. They are Microsoft’s stated version-to-version comparisons, not independently reproduced measurements; the notes do not specify testing conditions or installation configurations.
| Measure | PowerToys v0.62.1 | PowerToys v0.63.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Installer size | 125 MB (Microsoft, 2022) | 83 MB (Microsoft, 2022) |
| Installed size | 817 MB (Microsoft, 2022) | 587 MB (Microsoft, 2022) |
Why did the package footprint shrink?
Microsoft said v0.63.0 shared runtime files among utilities using hardlinks. The shared files included the Windows App SDK, the Visual C++ redistributable, and PowerToys Interop. The release described this packaging change as a step toward removing the administrator (UAC) requirement during installation. Microsoft identified shipping .NET as self-contained and shared as a next step, not as a completed change in v0.63.0.
What changed for PowerToys users?
QuickAccent gained language selection
QuickAccent added a language selector intended to narrow the accented characters available to choose from. This makes it easier to find the relevant character when a user works with a particular language.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- Sleek and simple design that complements your Surface device.
- Dedicated Copilot[l] key for instant access to new experiences available on Windows 11.
- Convenient shortcut keys including Call mute, Snip & Sketch, Expressive input and Widget[2] for quick and easy access.
- Comfortable and responsive typing experience.
- Seamlessly pair to your device through wireless Bluetooth 4.0 connection with a range of up to 16 feet.
Stability and utility fixes
Microsoft characterized the release cycle as focused on stability and improvement. Among the changes listed were:
- A fix for an Image Resizer issue that could crash File Explorer under some context-menu conditions.
- PowerToys Run fixes for handling the default browser when Firefox was installed from the Microsoft Store, and for making appended controls available to accessibility tools.
- A Text Extractor change removing extra spaces from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean recognition output.
- A fix for failed bug-report generation, improvements to utility shutdown behavior, and a PowerToys Run search improvement.
- A Windows App SDK runtime update to 1.1.5 and an installer .NET dependency update to 6.0.9.
These are representative items from the release notes; the fixes address particular scenarios and do not imply that every user would encounter or notice each change.
Rank #2
- Compact design saves desktop space and allows for close, comfortable mouse position.
- Optimized key spacing and key travel for fast, fluid typing.
- Sleek, low-profile design complements any workspace.
- Expressive input key[2] for quick access to emojis, symbols, and more.
- Connect up to 3 devices and switch seamlessly between them[1].
What known issues did Microsoft list?
The v0.63.0 release notes recorded these issues at release time:
- Text Extractor could fail to recognize text in some cases on ARM64 devices running Windows 10.
- PowerRename and Image Resizer entries in the Windows 11 context menu might not appear until after a system restart.
- Some users could not open Settings because of incompatibilities with certain applications. Microsoft named RTSS RivaTuner Statistics Server and MSI AfterBurner as examples.
These are caveats documented for v0.63.0; they do not establish whether the same issues affect later PowerToys versions.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Compatible with Windows 10 / 8. 1 / 8, Mac OS 10.10.5 / 10.11.1 / 10.11.4, Microsoft Windows 10 phone, Android 4.4.2-5.0
- Sleek and simple design
- Optimized feedback and return force.Multimedia key life: 500,000 actuations per key
- Host must support Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. Note : Refer the PDF attached below in Technical Details for Manual and Troubleshooting steps.
- Wireless frequency: 2.4GHz frequency range
Rank #4
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which protects your personal and business information by encoding your keystrokes
- 2.4GHz wireless delivers a reliable connection with up to a 15-foot range
- Optical Technology 1000 dpi provides responsive cursor control
- Snap-in transceiver stows conveniently under the mouse LED optical tracking technology
- Windows shortcut keys provide easy access to commonly used functions Media keys for music and video control
Rank #3
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