- Color Picker of power toys allows you to select colors from any area in Windows 11 with ease and precision.
- Allows you to save and manage a color history and copy to different customizable formats.
- PowerToys integrates other useful utilities that improve productivity in Windows 11.
Select colors from anywhere on the screen It is one of those features that seemed exclusive to designers or developers, but more and more users are looking for it in Windows 11. Whether to identify the exact color of a pixel in a photo, a website or an application, the integration of tools such as the Color picker in the system facilitates these tasks and provides a enormous flexibility to the daily workflow.
With the arrival of Windows 11 and the boost of complementary tools such as power toys, the process for capturing colors has become more accessible and powerful. From fledgling native options to advanced utilities with customizable history and formats, the possibilities for selecting and managing colors have evolved a lot in recent yearsHere we'll tell you everything you need to get the most out of it.
Why is a color picker so useful in Windows 11?
El The human eye can distinguish millions of colors, but remembering the exact code for a shade is often mission impossible. Whether you're designing, editing images, programming, creating presentations, or just want to replicate a color that's caught your eye, you need a precise selection tool. The color pickers allow to identify immediately the HEX, RGB, HSL or other format value of any color on screen, which opens up endless possibilities for editing, creation and customization.
Until recently, Windows did not include a native option for selecting system-wide colors. Solutions relied on third-party applications or browser extensions, making it difficult to seamless integrationWith Windows 11 and PowerToys, this has changed, and now select any color from the screen (including menus and applications) is simpler and faster than ever.
PowerToys and its Color Picker utility: the ultimate solution
Color picker is part of the well-known package microsoft power toys, designed for users who want to optimize their experience and productivity in Windows. Since its relaunch as open source project, PowerToys has included a collection of tools that allow you to perform previously unthinkable tasks in a simple way, as is the case with the color picker. This utility allows you to choose the color of any pixel on the screen using a keyboard shortcut and obtain the code in the format of your choice..
One of the biggest advantages of PowerToys is its native integration with the system, so you can activate the selector anytime, no matter what app you're using. Plus, it allows save a color history, edit and copy quickly in different formats and customize the experience to your liking.
How to activate and configure Color Picker in PowerToys
In addition to being powerful, Color Picker is incredibly easy to useFor those who haven't tried it yet, here's a step-by-step guide to activating and customizing it:
- Install PowerToysDownload it from the official GitHub releases website, selecting the version compatible with your operating system (x64 for most users, Arm64 if your computer is ARM). Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Activate PowerToys: After installation, look for the icon in the system tray and access the general settings.
- Enable Color Picker: In the utilities section, locate the color picker and activate the corresponding switch. From here you can customize the key combination to invoke it (by default Win + Shift + C).
Once configured, Every time you want to identify a color, just press the assigned keyboard shortcut.The eyedropper will appear and you can use your mouse to point to the exact color you want to capture.
Advanced Color Picker Features
The utility is not limited to copying a color. Color Picker includes a very complete editor that keeps up to the last 20 selected colors, making them easy to reuse. You can choose from a multitude of formats (HEX, RGB, HSV, HSL, CMYK, and more), rearrange their order, or customize new formats if you need to.
The mouse actions They are also configurable: by default, left click selects and opens the editor, middle click selects and closes the utility (leaving the copied color in the clipboard), and the right button cancels the selection. The editor allows you to fine-tune values, explore similar colors, and even export the complete color history, grouping by format if you wish.
Among its most useful functions is the option to display a descriptive name of the color (for example, "Light Green"), which can help you quickly identify shades in a design or presentation project.
Customizing color formats
El format editor Color Picker stands out for its versatility. Not only can you choose which color formats (HEX, RGB, HSL, etc.) appear and in what order, but you also have the option to create and edit your own formats using a specific syntax. For example, you can define a string as Color (R = %Re, G = %Gr, B = %Bl) to copy the value into the format that best suits your workflow.
Some useful variables include:
- %Re for the red value
- %Gr for the green value
- %Bl for the blue
- %To the for alpha channel (transparency)
- %Hu for the nuance, %Yes for saturation, %Br for the shine
- %Na for the color name
This way, you can tailor the tool exactly to your needs, whether in web design, image editing, or software development.
Color selection and practical use
When you activate Color Picker, the process is as simple as point the cursor to the desired color and click. You can zoom in using the mouse wheel for greater precision, especially if you're working with small areas or subtle gradients.
Once you've chosen a color, the tool automatically copies it to the clipboard in the configured format, saves it to the history, and, if you wish, opens the editor to make adjustments or compare colors. The process is quick and doesn't interrupt other tasks.
Different tools for selecting colors in Windows
While PowerToys' Color Picker is the most recommended option, there are other alternatives for choosing colors in Windows 11 or earlier, many geared toward specific tasks or personal preferences:
- Microsoft Free Color Picker: Ideal for working with screenshots or images, it offers easy integration with the clipboard.
- ColorPic: A classic tool that makes it easy to pick colors on high-resolution monitors and allows you to manage multiple palettes at once.
- Instant Eyedropper: It allows you to identify and copy color codes with one click, supporting many common formats in design and development.
- Just Color Picker: It stands out for its speed, noise management and magnification functions for greater precision.
- ColorZilla or Rainbow Color Tool: Browser extensions for selecting colors from web pages, with additional tools for analyzing palettes.
However, the integration of PowerToys offers an experience native and very versatile, avoiding additional installations and establishing itself as the primary option for selecting colors throughout the system.
Other notable PowerToys utilities
PowerToys not only includes the color picker; it is a authentic "productivity kit"Among its most valued functions are:
- Always on Top: To keep windows fixed above the others.
- Wake up: Prevents the computer from going into sleep mode while working.
- FancyZones: Arranges windows on the screen in custom layouts.
- PowerRename: Batch rename files with advanced features.
- File Explorer Add-ons: Improvements to SVG and Markdown preview.
- Powertoys run: Quick application launcher, similar to Spotlight.
- Image Resizer: Resize images in batch from the context menu.
- Shortcut Guide: Show all shortcuts when you press the Windows key.
That's why installing PowerToys offers a complete experience, with the powerful color picker and several useful tools for everyday use in Windows 11 (and 10).
Are there native options in Windows 11 for selecting colors?
In the latest Windows 11 updates, especially in the Insider channel, Microsoft has incorporated a color selection feature within the snipping toolBy opening this tool and clicking the eyedropper icon, you can highlight any color on the screen and get the code in formats such as HEX, RGB, and HSL.
This feature, still in testing and not yet available to everyone in the stable version, points to future integration into Windows. For now, PowerToys remains the most comprehensive and customizable option for system-wide color selection.
Limitations and recommendations
Although the Color Picker selector It is very advanced, it presents some major limitations. For example, it doesn't work on certain system menus, such as the Start Menu or the Action Center, although it does detect colors in those areas. Additionally, if an application is running in administrator mode and PowerToys isn't, the keyboard shortcut may not work due to permission restrictions. It also doesn't yet support wide color gamuts (WCG) or content in HDR.
For most users, It is sufficient for daily tasksIf you work professionally in video or image editing and need to work with specific ranges, you may need additional advanced software.
The evolution of selecting colors in Windows
It is curious that such a demanded function, as select colors from anywhere in the system, has taken a while to arrive natively on Windows. Previously, users relied on external utilities and specific programs, but with the addition of PowerToys and new updates, Microsoft is demonstrating its interest in improving productivity and customization.
The integration that is already present in the snipping tool indicates that Selecting colors will soon be even easier and more integrated., benefiting developers, creatives, and users in general. The ability to edit, manage, and copy colors in multiple formats eliminates friction in any workflow.
The arrival of the color picker in Windows 11, through PowerToys and native features in testing, meets a real need for users of all profiles. Its ease of use, flexibility, and adaptability make it an essential tool for improving the Windows experience and boosting productivity.
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