Microsoft’s PowerToys has become an essential companion for Windows users who want more flexibility and control over their systems. The free add-on suite includes a growing number of utilities that improve productivity and customization, with tools like FancyZones for advanced window snapping, PowerRename for batch file naming, and countless others. Soon, it’s about to add a feature that feels overdue: automatic switching between light and dark mode in Windows 11.
This new capability will arrive in PowerToys version 0.95, scheduled for release in October 2025, according to Windows Platform Senior Product Manager Niels Laute. Alongside the theme automation, the update will also deliver a refreshed user interface for the Keyboard Manager tool, streamlining the process of customizing keyboard shortcuts. The ability to shift between light and dark modes based on a schedule or time of day is something many Windows users have been requesting for years, especially since nearly all major apps already offer it. PowerToys stepping in to deliver the feature highlights its role as a testing ground for features Microsoft hasn’t fully integrated into Windows itself.
Until then, version 0.94 is available and brings several smaller but handy improvements. Chief among them is a new search bar within PowerToys, which allows users to quickly find tools or settings across its expanding list of modules. This is a practical addition, given the suite’s current size and complexity. Other enhancements include a shortcut conflict manager that helps detect and resolve overlapping hotkeys, as well as expanded functionality for the Mouse Pointer Crosshairs tool.
Taken together, these updates show how PowerToys continues to evolve from a niche utility into a robust extension of Windows. For power users in particular, it has become almost indispensable. The latest version is available now on GitHub, with even more significant improvements waiting just around the corner in the October release.