David Martin Design

Amplify your mission. Bloomington web design and digital marketing.

Category: Microsoft

Microsoft is a leading software and services technology company, offering cloud solutions, business productivity solutions, business applications, and gaming platforms. It is also known for the Windows operating system and Office suite of productivity apps for individuals, businesses, and enterprises.

  • Windows PowerToys Is the Productivity Upgrade Windows Should Have Shipped With

    Windows PowerToys Is the Productivity Upgrade Windows Should Have Shipped With

    If you use Windows every day, you’ve probably felt it: the OS is powerful, but a handful of small things slow you down more than they should.

    That’s where Microsoft PowerToys comes in.

    PowerToys is a free, Microsoft-supported utility suite that adds practical, no-nonsense features to Windows. These aren’t gimmicks—they’re tools that shave seconds and friction off everyday tasks. Over time, that adds up.

    If you work in design, development, strategy, or any role that lives inside a computer all day, PowerToys is absolutely worth installing.

    What Is Windows PowerToys?

    PowerToys is an open-source collection of utilities built by Microsoft and the Windows community. Think of it as “advanced user features” that never quite made it into the core OS.

    The project has roots going back to Windows 95, when Microsoft first released a set of free utilities for power users who wanted to push the boundaries of what the operating system could do. After a long hiatus through Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, PowerToys returned in 2019 as an open-source project—and it’s been actively developed ever since.

    As of early 2025, the suite includes over 25 utilities. It runs quietly in the background and integrates directly into Windows Explorer, keyboard shortcuts, and window management.

    Once installed, it feels less like an app and more like Windows finally grew up.

    How to Install PowerToys

    Installation is straightforward. You have three options:

    1. Microsoft Store – Search for “PowerToys” and click Install
    2. GitHub – Download the latest release from the PowerToys repository
    3. Windows Package Manager – Run winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys from the command line

    Once installed, most features are enabled by default. You can toggle individual tools on or off from the PowerToys dashboard.

    The PowerToys Tools I Use the Most

    PowerToys includes a lot of utilities. These are the ones that consistently earn their keep.

    Image Resizer

    Image Resizer lets you right-click any image and resize it instantly. No Photoshop. No export dialogs. No guesswork.

    You can create presets for common use cases: web images, presentations, print, social media, native camera resolutions. Once configured, resizing becomes a one-second operation.

    For designers and content creators, this alone justifies installing PowerToys.

    FancyZones

    FancyZones is a window manager that lets you define custom window layouts and snap apps exactly where you want them.

    As WindowsForum notes, FancyZones “solves a perennial frustration: snapping and positioning windows precisely and efficiently.” Its flexibility outpaces native Windows Snap Assist, with support for custom templates, multiple workspaces, and hotkeys.

    This is especially useful if you use ultrawide or large monitors, juggle design tools with browsers and docs, or hate constantly resizing windows. Press Win + Shift + ` to open the Zone Editor, then drag windows into your defined zones while holding Shift.

    PowerRename

    PowerRename brings advanced batch renaming directly into File Explorer. Right-click selected files, choose “Rename with PowerRename,” and you can replace text across dozens of files, add prefixes or suffixes, use regular expressions, and preview changes before committing.

    If you deal with photos, assets, exports, or client files, this is a lifesaver. The utility is based on Chris Davis’s SmartRename, and it’s been refined over years of community contributions.

    Peek

    Peek lets you preview files with a single shortcut: Ctrl + Space.

    Images, PDFs, text files, and more open instantly in a lightweight preview window. No app switching. No clutter.

    As PCWorld observes, it functions like macOS Quick Look—something Windows users have wanted for years.

    Keyboard Manager

    Keyboard Manager allows you to remap keys and shortcuts globally.

    This is perfect if you switch between operating systems, have a broken or inconvenient key, or want custom shortcuts for repetitive actions. Changes remain active as long as PowerToys runs in the background.

    Tools You Might Have Overlooked

    Beyond the essentials, PowerToys includes several utilities that don’t get as much attention but are genuinely useful.

    Color Picker

    Color Picker is a system-wide eyedropper tool activated with Win + Shift + C. Click anywhere on screen to grab the exact color value in HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK, or other formats. The color is copied to your clipboard automatically.

    As PCTips notes, this is essential for anyone working with graphics, web design, or content creation. The utility also maintains a history of previously picked colors.

    Text Extractor

    Text Extractor uses OCR (optical character recognition) to copy text from anywhere on your screen. Press Win + Shift + T, select an area, and the text is extracted—whether from an image, video, screenshot, or locked PDF.

    This is one of those tools you don’t think you need until you do.

    File Locksmith

    Ever tried to delete or move a file and received the dreaded “file is in use” error?

    File Locksmith shows you exactly which process is locking the file. Right-click any file in Explorer, select “What’s using this file?” and you’ll see a list of processes. You can then close those processes directly from the utility.

    As How-To Geek explains, this eliminates the frustrating guesswork of figuring out why you can’t modify a file.

    Advanced Paste

    Advanced Paste (Win + Shift + V) goes beyond simple clipboard management. You can paste text as plain text, Markdown, or JSON. There’s also a clipboard history that shows everything you’ve copied.

    If you have an OpenAI API key, you can enable AI-powered paste transformations—summarizing text, translating between languages, or reformatting content on the fly. Imaginet provides examples of using AI paste to rewrite text in specific styles or generate code from descriptions.

    Always On Top

    Need a window to stay visible no matter what? Press Win + Ctrl + T to pin it on top of everything else. The window gets a blue border to indicate it’s pinned.

    Simple, but surprisingly useful for reference windows, timers, or video calls.

    PowerToys Awake

    Awake keeps your computer from sleeping during long tasks—downloads, installations, renders—without touching your power settings.

    You can set it to stay awake indefinitely or on a timer. A tray icon shows the current mode and time remaining.

    Find My Mouse

    Lost your cursor on a large display or multi-monitor setup? Double-tap Ctrl and a spotlight appears around your mouse position.

    TechRepublic calls this especially handy for presentations on large displays when you want to draw attention to a specific area.

    Mouse Without Borders

    This utility lets you control up to four computers with a single mouse and keyboard, share clipboards between machines, and transfer files up to 100MB.

    As Microsoft’s documentation explains, it’s essentially a software KVM switch. All machines need to be on the same network and running Windows. Setup requires generating a security key on one machine and entering it on the others.

    For anyone with multiple workstations or a laptop-desktop setup, this eliminates the need for extra hardware.

    PowerToys Run

    PowerToys Run (Alt + Space) is a quick launcher that searches and opens applications, files, and system tools instantly. It’s modular and supports community plugins for extended functionality.

    If you’ve used Spotlight on macOS, this will feel familiar. Many users find it more reliable than Windows Search for actually launching apps.

    Microsoft has announced that PowerToys Run is getting a major refresh in 2025, with a revamped UI and improved extensibility support. The new version is being called “Command Palette” and will serve as PowerToys Run’s successor.

    Workspaces

    Workspaces lets you launch multiple applications into preset window configurations with a single click.

    Set up your development environment—VS Code on the left, browser on the right, terminal at the bottom—and save it as a workspace. Next time, launch everything in position with one shortcut.

    Screen Ruler

    Activated with Win + Shift + M, Screen Ruler lets you measure pixels on screen using edge detection. Useful for designers checking spacing and alignment without opening a separate tool.

    Shortcut Guide

    Press Win + Shift + / (or hold the Windows key) to see a visual overlay of available keyboard shortcuts for the current desktop state.

    Helpful for discovering shortcuts you didn’t know existed.

    File Explorer Add-ons

    These add-ons extend File Explorer’s Preview Pane to support additional file types: SVG images, Markdown documents, source code with syntax highlighting, PDFs, and more.

    Hosts File Editor

    A simple interface for editing your Windows hosts file—useful for local development, blocking sites, or DNS testing—without manually navigating to system folders.

    Quick Accent

    Quick Accent provides an alternative way to type accented characters when your keyboard doesn’t support them. Hold a key and a popup shows available accented variations.

    Why PowerToys Fits How I Work

    Good tools don’t shout. They reduce friction.

    PowerToys does exactly that. It respects your time, stays out of your way, and improves workflows instead of reinventing them. It’s modular—you enable only what you need—and it’s built by developers who actually use their computers to get work done.

    That aligns with how I think about the tools I recommend to clients: sustainable, practical, and focused on making real tasks easier.

    Should You Install It?

    Yes.

    PowerToys is free, lightweight, actively maintained, and easy to uninstall if you change your mind. Most people who install it never go back.

    You can download it from the Microsoft Store or the GitHub releases page.

    Final Thought

    Windows is already powerful. PowerToys makes it intentional.

    If you care about efficiency, clarity, and tools that quietly make you better at your work, PowerToys belongs on your machine.

    Sources referenced in this article:

  • Elevate Your Business Visibility with Local Business Listings on Google, Bing, & Yahoo

    In today’s fast-paced digital world, having your business information accurately listed on various online platforms is not just a necessity; it’s a game-changer. At David Martin Design, we’re excited to announce our latest offering – Local Business Listing Management. This service is tailored to help business owners like you gain better visibility and ensure your business details are always up-to-date across key platforms, including Google, Bing, and more.

    The Importance of Accurate Business Listings: Accurate business listings are critical for two main reasons. First, they ensure that your potential customers can find you easily. Second, they provide reliable information, building trust and credibility in your brand. Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to lost opportunities and a negative impression.

    For a small business in Bloomington, Indiana, beyond the major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, there are several other platforms where you can submit your business listing to increase visibility and reach potential customers:

    1. Local Directories and Review Sites:
      • TripAdvisor: Ideal if your business is related to hospitality, tourism, or dining.
      • Angie’s List: Great for service-oriented businesses.
    2. Social Media Platforms:
      • Facebook: Creating a business page on Facebook can help you reach a wide audience.
      • Instagram: This is especially useful if your business can showcase visually appealing products or services.
      • LinkedIn: Ideal for B2B businesses and professional networking.
    3. Local Bloomington, Indiana Resources:
      • Bloomington Chamber of Commerce: Listing your business here can increase local business-to-business connections.
      • Visit Bloomington: If your business caters to tourists or is part of the hospitality industry, this is a great place to be listed.
      • BloomingtonOnline: Shop Local isn’t just a trendy slogan. It’s a call to action.
      • Local Bloomington Newspapers and Magazines: Many local publications have business directories.
    4. Industry-Specific Directories:
      • If your business falls into a specific niche (like healthcare, legal services, or home improvement), look for directories specific to that industry.
    5. Better Business Bureau (BBB):
      • Listing your business here can add credibility, as consumers often check BBB ratings.
    6. Google Business and Bing Places:
      • Businesses can verify and edit their business information, respond to reviews, post photos and offers, and see insights on how customers are interacting with their business.
    7. Community Bulletin Boards and Forums:
      • Local community centers, libraries, or online community forums specific to Bloomington can be valuable for word-of-mouth referrals.

    How Our Service Works: Our Local Business Listing Management service is designed to be simple yet effective. We take the burden off your shoulders by:

    1. Claiming Your Listings: We ensure your business is accurately listed on platforms like Google, Bing, & other important local platforms.
    2. Regular Updates: From changing business hours, and updating posts, to updating contact information, we keep your listings current.

    In a world where online presence is crucial, let David Martin Design be your partner in ensuring that your business stands out. Claim your listing today with our Local Business Listing Management service and take the first step towards enhanced visibility and success.

    Ready to enhance your business’s online presence? Contact David Martin Design today to learn more about our Local Business Listing Management service and how we can help your business grow.

  • What’s Microsoft Clarity and How Can It Help Improve Your Website?

    Picture this: You build an amazing site for your business and set it live. A few weeks pass by, and you eagerly check to see how many people visited your site. Despite receiving some decent traffic, you want to take immediate steps to improve these numbers but…you have no idea how to do it. 

    Many site owners find themselves in the exact same position. Even with ample data about their site performance, they’re still not sure how to iron out the kinks to offer users a seamless experience. Microsft Clarity just might be the tool to help solve this problem. 

    Here, we’ll take a deep look into what Clarity offers and how your website can benefit from it. 

    What is Microsoft Clarity? 

    Microsoft Clarity is a specialized analytics tool designed to help site owners gain a better understanding of how visitors interact with their site. With informative features such as heatmaps and session replays, Clarity can offer a unique view of your site’s performance that other popular tools such as Google Analytics simply don’t offer. 

    By tracking user behavior on your site, Clarity collects basic information regarding engagement, interactions, and sessions. This data is conveniently summarized in the dashboard, giving you quick and up-to-date statistics about your site. Users are broken down into various categories such as country and device type for more detailed insights. 

    What does Microsoft Clarity offer? 

    It’s no secret that some site analytics tools can take some getting used to. Fortunately, the simple layout of Microsoft Clarity and its relatively straightforward function make for a more user-friendly experience. 

    To get a better idea of what this newer tool offers, let’s dissect Clarity’s primary features. 

    Dashboard and Insights 

    The Microsoft Clarity dashboard acts as a central hub where all of your site’s data is collected and organized. Here, you can find standard metrics that most analytics tools provide including total sessions, unique users, pages per session, and engagement. 

    A quick glance at the Clarity dashboard will reveal some intriguing markers that you might not be familiar with. Dead clicks, rage clicks, and excessive scrolling are special insights designed to help site owners pinpoint problem areas that might be preventing visitors from having an optimal user experience. 

    If you’ve ever had a webpage freeze or refuse to load quicker than dial-up, you understand why “rage clicks” and “excessive scrolls” are the perfect indicators of user frustration. Identifying and fixing these problem areas might just be the key to boosting your site’s engagement and conversions. 

    Session Recording 

    While distinctive features such as rage clicks do a great job of setting Microsoft Clarity apart from well-established competitors, we’ve just taken a peek into this tool’s diverse bag of tricks. One of the most attractive features of Clarity is its comprehensive session recording application which records user behavior for each and every session. Everything from clicks, scrolls, and mouse movements are recorded and stored.

    You can review these clips at any time to get a clear picture of your average user’s behavior. This data is available for each page. For an even deeper understanding, Clarity organizes these recordings by specific browsers to help determine browser-specific issues. With advanced AI, you can even tell whether a particular session is part of a larger pattern or an outlier. This is useful for ruling out anomalies and addressing routine problems. 

    Heatmaps 

    While more general analytics can offer a good idea of how users bounce between your site’s pages, Microsoft Clarity takes it a step further by allowing site owners to see how visitors behave on individual pages. With the heatmaps function, you have a clear and informative view of where users tend to click. 

    This information is further divided by devices such as mobile, tablet, and desktop so you can see how behavior varies between each category. You can use this thorough tool to see how your visitors move around your site, where they’re getting hung up, and what can be done to improve their sessions. 

    How much does Microsoft Clarity cost? 

    You’ll be pleased to know that Microsoft Clarity is currently offered as a free service. There’s also no cap on traffic. This means that whether you need to track a newly built site or you want to switch analytics tools on a site that’s already successful, you’ll be paying the exact same amount…nothing! 

    Is it a replacement for Google Analytics? 

    While Microsoft Clarity is advertised as an analytics tool, it serves a very specific function. It can give you some insight that Google Analytics can’t, but that doesn’t mean you should say goodbye to your current applications. It works better as an excellent supplement to more comprehensive tools than it does as your primary resource. 

    Interested in making a site for your next project? Reach out to David Martin Design to learn more about the process. David has decades of experience building sites for business owners and can make a site based on your unique needs.