PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after the product has been released to manufacturing, but before the next project has begun.

These programs run on Windows XP client only. They provide additional value to some of the features in XP. However, the PowerToys were not subjected to the same rigorous testing provide for the operating system and are therefore not supported. Microsoft Technical Support is unable to answer questions about PowerToys.

The PowerToys are installed into the directory you specify during setup. Typically this is the system32 directory (%windir%\system32).

Some of the PowerToys reside in the taskbar. Before resizing these PowerToys you will first need to check and make sure that the taskbar isn't locked. Right click the taskbar and ensure there is no check mark by 'Lock the Taskbar' menu item.

To uninstall the PowerToys, open Control Panel and then launch Add/Remove Programs. Find the entry for the PowerToy that you wish to remove and choose Change/Remove. You can remove one or more of the Powertoys in this way.

Open Command Window Here...
This PowerToy adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders. This gives users a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe) pointing at the selected folder. After installation, right click on the folder you would like to have a quick launch command window for and select 'Open Command Window Here.'

Power Calculator
This calculator has the support to graph and evaluate functions as well as performing many different types of conversions.

Task Switcher
This PowerToy enhances the existing Alt + Tab application switching mechanism of Windows XP. It provides a thumbnail preview of windows in the task list and is compliant with the new Windows XP visual style. You use this just as you do the existing Alt + Tab mechanism. Press and hold the Alt key and then press the Tab key to cycle through the running applications. When the desired application is highlighted release the Alt key. You can move backwards through the task list by pressing and holding the Shift and Alt key and then pressing the Tab key.

Image Resizer
This PowerToy enables you to resize one or many image files. When resizing you can choose from one of four standard sizes or choose a size that you specify. You can also choose to resize the original image or create a new one. Right click any image(s) and select 'Resize Pictures' in the context menu.

CD Slide Show Generator
Enables you to view images burned to a cd as a slide show. Add only images to a CD-RW drive using Windows XP Explorer and then write these files to a CD-R or CD-RW disc. A new task is presented in the wizard for generating the autorun for the slideshow. Now when you take this disc to another computer that isn't running Windows XP you can still view your images as a slide show.

Virtual Desktop Manager
Manage up to 4 desktops from the Windows taskbar. You can choose a different background for each desktop and run different applications on different desktops. Right click on the taskbar, click toolbars, and then click "Desktop Manager."

Taskbar Magnifier
Allows you to magnify part of the screen from the taskbar. This is very similar to Magnifier that can be found under the Accessories menu on the Start Menu except that this PowerToy remains in the taskbar and has a smaller viewing area. Right click on the taskbar, click toolbars, and then click "Taskbar Magnifier."

HTML Slide Show Wizard
This wizard helps you create a slide show of your digital pictures. When you're done, you can put your slide show on the Web so that your family and friends can view it. Follow the steps of the wizard to select and arrange your pictures, choose from a few simple options, and then save a Web-ready HTML slide show to a folder.

Webcam Timershot
This PowerToy allows you to take pictures from a webcam connected to your computer at specified time intervals. When a picture is taken it is saved to a location and with a name that you specify. A simple save option allows you to save all the pictures or only the last picture taken.