PowerToys Run adds Internet speed test, video downloader & more

PowerToys Run, an already popular utility tool within the Microsoft PowerToys suite, will become even more popular as it adds three new plugins: SpeedTest, Definition, and VideoDownloader. Now, beyond app launching and quick search, you will be able to check internet speed, find word definitions, and download videos from the web.

What are the features?

SpeedTest Plugin

This plugin uses Ookla’s Speedtest CLI to check your internet speed locally, so you don’t have to worry about third-party tracking or ads. It also supports both x64 and ARM systems. To use it:

• Press Alt + Space to launch PowerToys Run.
• Type spt. You will be presented with a new window displaying your speed results, along with an option to share the results via a link.

Definition

This plugin provides you with definitions of words, pronunciations, phonetics, usage examples, and synonyms. To use it:

• Launch PowerToys Run.
• Type def followed by the word you want to search for.

VideoDownloader Plugin

This video downloader plugin allows you to download videos from YouTube and other websites. You can select the quality, download format, and even the save location. To use it:

• Open PowerToys Run.
• Type dl followed by the URL of the video.

How can I install them?

As these are not available by default, you need to install them. To do that:

• Go to GitHub repositories and download them.
• Now, extract them to this path: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerToys Run\Plugins\
• Once done, launch PowerToys Run and use any of the plugins to check the functionality. You can customize them using the Settings option on the tool.

Will you use these third-party plugins on the Microsoft PowerToys Run tool? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.