How to crop and lock apps using PowerToys

Are you looking for a way to crop and lock apps on your Windows 11? Look no further! In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of using PowerToys to easily crop and lock applications. Whether you're a multitasker or simply want to stay organized, this feature will surely come in handy. Let's get started!

Step 1: Install PowerToys

To begin, you'll need to install PowerToys on your Windows 11 device. PowerToys is a free and open-source software developed by Microsoft that provides various utility tools and features to enhance your Windows experience. You can download PowerToys from the official Microsoft Store or use the winget install command from Command Prompt. Choose whichever method works best for you.

Step 2: Open PowerToys

Once PowerToys is installed, open the application on your computer. You can find it in your list of installed programs or search for it in the Start menu. When you open PowerToys, you'll be greeted with a user-friendly interface that offers a range of options and features.

Step 3: Enable Crop and Lock

In the PowerToys window, locate and click on "Crop And Lock." This option allows you to crop and lock applications on your desktop. To activate this feature, toggle the "Enable Crop And Lock" switch to the ON position. Once enabled, you'll have access to the various cropping and locking functionalities.

Step 4: Capture with Thumbnail Experience

Now that Crop and Lock is enabled, let's learn how to capture a specific region of your desktop window. PowerToys offers two different experiences for capturing regions - Thumbnail and Reparent. We'll start with the Thumbnail experience. Use the keyboard shortcut "Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + T" to open the "Thumbnail" experience.

Step 5: Select Region

Once in the Thumbnail experience mode, use your mouse to select the region you wish to capture. This will create a temporary screenshot of that particular area. You can move and adjust the selection as needed until you're satisfied with your crop. The selected region will be outlined with a bounding box.

Step 6: Capture with Reparent Experience

If you prefer an interactive application window instead of just a thumbnail, there's another option for capturing regions - the Reparent experience. Use the keyboard shortcut "Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + R" to open the "Reparent" experience. This mode allows you to crop and lock an entire application window, making it more accessible and easier to work with.

Step 7: Crop and Capture

In the Reparent experience mode, you can now crop the region you want to capture. Use your mouse to adjust the boundaries of the selected area until it's perfect. This will create an interactive application window that is locked in place on your desktop. You can resize and move the locked window just like any other application window.

Congratulations! You've successfully learned how to crop and lock apps using PowerToys on Windows 11. Whether you prefer the Thumbnail or Reparent experience, this feature allows you to keep your applications organized and easily accessible. By cropping and locking specific regions or entire application windows, you can improve your multitasking capabilities and enhance your workflow efficiency.

Remember, if you ever want to disable or modify the cropping and locking settings, simply revisit PowerToys' interface and make the necessary adjustments. PowerToys offers a range of other useful tools and features, so be sure to explore and discover how it can further enhance your Windows 11 experience.