Microsoft PowerToys Update Adds Mouse Button Lock and CursorHide

Microsoft has released PowerToys 0.102, introducing two new mouse utilities, Mouse Button Lock and CursorHide, alongside improvements to Command Palette, ZoomIt, Keyboard Manager, and several other tools.

The latest version also expands command-line support, making it easier for users and IT administrators to automate tasks. Users can download the update from GitHub.

PowerToys 0.102 introduces two new mouse utilities

One of the biggest additions is Mouse Button Lock, which allows users to hold down a mouse button briefly and release it while Windows continues treating the button as pressed.

This makes dragging files, selecting text, and performing other actions that require holding down a mouse button easier, particularly for users with accessibility needs.

The second utility, CursorHide, automatically hides the mouse pointer while typing, after a period of inactivity, or both. The cursor reappears as soon as the user moves the mouse.

Command Palette and ZoomIt receive new features

Microsoft has also updated Command Palette with a quick-access shelf that displays pinned commands beneath the search box in compact mode.

Users can enable the feature through Settings > Appearance > Compact mode and launch pinned commands using Alt+1 through Alt+9.

Meanwhile, ZoomIt now supports screenshot dictation. Users can press Space while selecting an area of the screen and describe the screenshot using their voice.

The tool transcribes speech locally and allows users to paste both the screenshot and its description together.

Keyboard Manager and other utilities get improvements

Keyboard Manager now supports tap-alone remapping, allowing users to assign a different action to a key when pressing it independently while preserving its normal behavior in keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft has also improved the interface for editing keyboard remaps.

Additionally, Color Picker and Text Extractor now use WinUI 3, bringing updated interfaces to both utilities.

The update follows reports that PowerToys is getting a new welcome screen animation.

Microsoft has also introduced a OneDrive Sync CLI for IT administrators and announced a major OneDrive AI upgrade, expanding its tools for productivity and automation.

Via Neowin