PowerToys diagnostic data is completely optional for users and is off by default in v0.86 and beyond. Our team believes in transparency and trust. As PowerToys is open source, all of our diagnostic data events are in the codebase.
Additionally, this document aims to list each diagnostic data event individually and describe their purpose clearly.
For more information, please read the Microsoft privacy statement .
What does PowerToys collect?
Usage : Understanding usage and frequency rates for utilities and settings helps us make decisions on where to focus our time and energy. This data also helps us better understand what and how to move well-loved features directly into Windows!Stability : Monitoring bugs and system crashes, as well as analyzing GitHub issue reports, assists us in prioritizing the most urgent issues.Performance : Assessing the performance of PowerToys features to load and execute gives us an understanding of what surfaces are causing slowdowns. This supports our commitment to providing you with tools that are both speedy and effective.
Success Story: Fixing FancyZones Bugs with Your Help FancyZones had numerous bug reports related to virtual desktop interactions. Initially, these were considered lower priority, since the assumption was that virtual desktops were not widely used, so we chose to focus on more urgent issues. However, the volume of bug reports suggested otherwise, prompting us to add additional diagnostics to see virtual desktop usage with FancyZones. We discovered that virtual desktop usage was much higher among FancyZones users. This new understanding led us to prioritize this class of bugs and get them fixed.
Transparency and Public Sharing As much as possible, we aim to share the results of diagnostic data publicly.
We hope this document provides clarity on why and how we collect diagnostic data to improve PowerToys for our users. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you for using PowerToys!
List of Diagnostic Data Events Note: We're in the process of updating this section with more events and their descriptions. We aim to keep this list current by adding any new diagnostic data events as they become available.
If you want to find diagnostic data events in the source code, these two links will be good starting points based on the source code's langauge.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.DebugEvent
Logs debugging information for diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Microsoft.PowerToys.GeneralSettingsChanged
Logs changes made to general settings within PowerToys.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Runner_Launch
Indicates when the PowerToys Runner is launched.
Microsoft.PowerToys.SettingsBootEvent
Triggered when PowerToys settings are initialized at startup.
Microsoft.PowerToys.SettingsEnabledEvent
Indicates that the PowerToys settings have been enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ScoobeStartedEvent
Triggered when SCOOBE (Secondary Out-of-box experience) starts.
Microsoft.PowerToys.TrayFlyoutActivatedEvent
Indicates when the tray flyout menu is activated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.TrayFlyoutModuleRunEvent
Logs when a utility from the tray flyout menu is run.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Uninstall_Success
Logs when PowerToys is successfully uninstalled (who would do such a thing!).
OOBE (Out-of-box experience)
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.OobeSectionEvent
Occurs when OOBE is shown to the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.OobeSettingsEvent
Triggers when a Settings page is opened from an OOBE page.
Microsoft.PowerToys.OobeStartedEvent
Indicates when the out-of-box experience has been initiated.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPaste_EnableAdvancedPaste
Triggered when Advanced Paste is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPaste_Error
Occurs when an error is encountered during the Advanced Paste process.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPaste_InvokeAdvancedPaste
Activated when Advanced Paste is called by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPaste_Settings
Triggered when settings for Advanced Paste are accessed or modified.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteClipboardItemClicked
Occurs when a clipboard item is selected from the Advanced Paste menu.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteClipboardItemDeletedEvent
Triggered when an item is removed from the Advanced Paste clipboard history.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteCustomFormatOutputThumbUpDownEvent
Triggered when a user gives feedback on a custom format output (thumb up/down).
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteFormatClickedEvent
Occurs when a specific paste format is clicked in the Advanced Paste menu.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteGenerateCustomErrorEvent
Triggered when an error occurs while generating a custom paste format.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteGenerateCustomFormatEvent
Occurs when a custom paste format is successfully generated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteInAppKeyboardShortcutEvent
Triggered when a keyboard shortcut is used within the Advanced Paste interface.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AdvancedPasteSemanticKernelFormatEvent
Triggered when Advanced Paste leverages the Semantic Kernel.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.AlwaysOnTop_EnableAlwaysOnTop
Triggered when Always on Top is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AlwaysOnTop_PinWindow
Occurs when a window is pinned to stay on top of other windows.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AlwaysOnTop_UnpinWindow
Triggered when a pinned window is unpinned, allowing it to be behind other windows.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.Awake_EnableAwake
Triggered when Awake is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AwakeExpirableKeepAwakeEvent
Occurs when the system is kept awake for a temporary, expirable duration.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AwakeIndefinitelyKeepAwakeEvent
Triggered when the system is set to stay awake indefinitely.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AwakeNoKeepAwakeEvent
Occurs when Awake is turned off, allowing the computer to enter sleep mode.
Microsoft.PowerToys.AwakeTimedKeepAwakeEvent
Triggered when the system is kept awake for a specified time duration.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.ColorPicker_EnableColorPicker
Triggered when Color Picker is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ColorPicker_Session
Occurs during a Color Picker usage session.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ColorPicker_Settings
Triggered when the settings for the Color Picker are accessed or modified.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ColorPickerCancelledEvent
Occurs when a color picking action is cancelled by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ColorPickerShowEvent
Triggered when the Color Picker UI is displayed on the screen.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.CmdNotFoundInstallEvent
Triggered when a Command Not Found is installed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.CmdNotFoundInstanceCreatedEvent
Occurs when an instance of a Command Not Found is created.
Microsoft.PowerToys.CmdNotFoundUninstallEvent
Triggered when Command Not Found is uninstalled after being previously installed.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.CropAndLock_ActivateReparent
Triggered when the cropping interface is activated for reparenting the cropped content.
Microsoft.PowerToys.CropAndLock_ActivateThumbnail
Occurs when the thumbnail view for cropped content is activated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.CropAndLock_EnableCropAndLock
Triggered when Crop and Lock is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.CropAndLock_Settings
Occurs when settings related to Crop and Lock are modified.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.EnvironmentVariables_Activate
Triggered when Environment Variables is launched.
Microsoft.PowerToys.EnvironmentVariables_EnableEnvironmentVariables
Occurs when Environment Variables is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.EnvironmentVariablesOpenedEvent
Triggered when the Environment Variables interface is opened.
Microsoft.PowerToys.EnvironmentVariablesProfileEnabledEvent
Occurs when an environment variable profile is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.EnvironmentVariablesVariableChangedEvent
Triggered when an environment variable is added, modified, or deleted.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_CycleActiveZoneSet
Triggered when the active zone set is cycled through.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_EditorLaunch
Occurs when the FancyZones editor is launched.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_EnableFancyZones
Occurs when FancyZones is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_KeyboardSnapWindowToZone
Triggered when a window is snapped to a zone using the keyboard.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_MoveOrResizeEnded
Occurs when a window move or resize action has completed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_MoveOrResizeStarted
Triggered when a window move or resize action is initiated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_MoveSizeEnd
Occurs when the moving or resizing of a window has ended.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_OnKeyDown
Triggered when a key is pressed down while interacting with zones.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_QuickLayoutSwitch
Occurs when a quick switch between zone layouts is performed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_Settings
Triggered when FancyZones settings are accessed or modified.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_SettingsChanged
Occurs when there is a change in the FancyZones settings.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_SnapNewWindowIntoZone
Triggered when a new window is snapped into a zone.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_VirtualDesktopChanged
Occurs when the virtual desktop changes, affecting zone layout.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_ZoneSettingsChanged
Triggered when the settings for specific zones are altered.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FancyZones_ZoneWindowKeyUp
Occurs when a key is released while interacting with zones.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.GcodeFileHandlerLoaded
Triggered when a G-code file handler is loaded.
Microsoft.PowerToys.GcodeFilePreviewed
Occurs when a G-code file is previewed in File Explorer.
Microsoft.PowerToys.GcodeFilePreviewError
Triggered when there is an error previewing a G-code file.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MarkdownFileHandlerLoaded
Occurs when a Markdown file handler is loaded.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MarkdownFilePreviewed
Triggered when a Markdown file is previewed in File Explorer.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PdfFileHandlerLoaded
Occurs when a PDF file handler is loaded.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PdfFilePreviewed
Triggered when a PDF file is previewed in File Explorer.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerPreview_Enabled
Occurs when preview is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerPreview_TweakUISettings_Destroyed
Triggered when the Tweak UI settings for Power Preview are destroyed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerPreview_TweakUISettings_FailedUpdatingSettings
Occurs when updating Tweak UI settings fails.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerPreview_TweakUISettings_InitSet__ErrorLoadingFile
Triggered when there is an error loading a file during Tweak UI settings initialization.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerPreview_TweakUISettings_SuccessfullyUpdatedSettings
Occurs when the Tweak UI settings for Power Preview are successfully updated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.QoiFilePreviewed
Triggered when a QOI file is previewed in File Explorer.
Microsoft.PowerToys.SvgFileHandlerLoaded
Occurs when an SVG file handler is loaded.
Microsoft.PowerToys.SvgFilePreviewed
Triggered when an SVG file is previewed in File Explorer.
Microsoft.PowerToys.SvgFilePreviewError
Occurs when there is an error previewing an SVG file.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.FileLocksmith_EnableFileLocksmith
Triggered when File Locksmith is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FileLocksmith_Invoked
Occurs when File Locksmith is invoked.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FileLocksmith_InvokedRet
Triggered when File Locksmith invocation returns a result.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FileLocksmith_QueryContextMenuError
Occurs when there is an error querying the context menu for File Locksmith.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.FindMyMouse_EnableFindMyMouse
Triggered when Find My Mouse is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.FindMyMouse_MousePointerFocused
Occurs when the mouse pointer is focused using Find My Mouse.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.HostsFileEditor_Activate
Triggered when Hosts File Editor is activated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.HostsFileEditor_EnableHostsFileEditor
Occurs when Hosts File Editor is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.HostsFileEditorOpenedEvent
Fires when Hosts File Editor is opened.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.ImageResizer_EnableImageResizer
Triggered when Image Resizer is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ImageResizer_Invoked
Occurs when Image Resizer is invoked by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ImageResizer_InvokedRet
Fires when the Image Resizer operation is completed and returns a result.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_AppSpecificShortcutRemapConfigurationLoaded
Indicates that the application-specific shortcut remap configuration has been successfully loaded.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_AppSpecificShortcutRemapCount
Logs the number of application-specific shortcut remaps configured by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_AppSpecificShortcutToShortcutRemapInvoked
Logs each instance when an application-specific shortcut-to-shortcut remap is used.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_DailyAppSpecificShortcutToKeyRemapInvoked
Logs the daily count of application-specific shortcut-to-key remaps executed by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_DailyAppSpecificShortcutToShortcutRemapInvoked
Logs the daily count of application-specific shortcut-to-shortcut remaps executed by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_DailyKeyToKeyRemapInvoked
Logs the daily count of key-to-key remaps used by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_DailyKeyToShortcutRemapInvoked
Logs the daily count of key-to-shortcut remaps used by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_DailyShortcutToKeyRemapInvoked
Logs the daily count of shortcut-to-key remaps used by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_DailyShortcutToShortcutRemapInvoked
Logs the daily count of shortcut-to-shortcut remaps used by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_EnableKeyboardManager
Indicates that the Keyboard Manager has been enabled in PowerToys settings.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_KeyRemapConfigurationLoaded
Indicates that the key remap configuration has been successfully loaded.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_KeyRemapCount
Logs the number of individual key remaps configured by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_KeyToKeyRemapInvoked
Logs each instance of a key-to-key remap being used.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_KeyToShortcutRemapInvoked
Logs each instance of a key-to-shortcut remap being used.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_OSLevelShortcutRemapCount
Logs the total number of OS-level shortcut remaps configured by the user.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_OSLevelShortcutToKeyRemapInvoked
Logs each instance of an OS-level shortcut-to-key remap being used.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_OSLevelShortcutToShortcutRemapInvoked
Logs each instance of an OS-level shortcut-to-shortcut remap being used.
Microsoft.PowerToys.KeyboardManager_ShortcutRemapConfigurationLoaded
Indicates that the shortcut remap configuration has been successfully loaded.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseHighlighter_EnableMouseHighlighter
Triggered when Mouse Highlighter is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseHighlighter_StartHighlightingSession
Occurs when a new highlighting session is started.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseJump_EnableJumpTool
Triggered when Mouse Jump is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseJump_InvokeJumpTool
Occurs when Mouse Jump is invoked.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseJumpShowEvent
Triggered when the Mouse Jump display is shown.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseJumpTeleportCursorEvent
Occurs when the cursor is teleported to a new location.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.MousePointerCrosshairs_EnableMousePointerCrosshairs
Triggered when Mouse Pointer Crosshairs is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MousePointerCrosshairs_StartDrawingCrosshairs
Occurs when the crosshairs are drawn around the mouse pointer.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders_Activate
Triggered when Mouse Without Borders is activated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders_AddFirewallRule
Occurs when a firewall rule is added for Mouse Without Borders.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders_EnableMouseWithoutBorders
Triggered when Mouse Without Borders is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders_ToggleServiceRegistration
Occurs when the service registration for Mouse Without Borders is toggled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersClipboardFileTransferEvent
Triggered during a clipboard file transfer between computers.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersDragAndDropEvent
Occurs during a drag-and-drop operation between computers.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersMultipleModeEvent
Triggered when multiple modes are enabled in Mouse Without Borders.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersOldUIOpenedEvent
Occurs when the old user interface for Mouse Without Borders is opened.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersOldUIQuitEvent
Triggered when the old user interface for Mouse Without Borders is closed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersOldUIReconfigureEvent
Occurs when the old user interface for Mouse Without Borders is reconfigured.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersStartedEvent
Triggered when Mouse Without Borders is started.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.NewPlus_EventCopyTemplate
Triggered when an item from New+ is created (copied to the current directory).
Microsoft.PowerToys.NewPlus_EventCopyTemplateResult
Logs the success of item creation (copying).
Microsoft.PowerToys.NewPlus_EventShowTemplateItems
Triggered when the New+ context menu flyout is displayed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.NewPlus_EventToggleOnOff
Triggered when New+ is enabled or disabled.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_Closed
Triggered when Peek is closed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_EnablePeek
Occurs when Peek is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_Error
Triggered when an error occurs for Peek.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_InvokePeek
Occurs when Peek is invoked.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_Opened
Triggered when a Peek window is opened.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_OpenWith
Occurs when an item is opened with Peek.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Peek_Settings
Triggered when the settings for Peek are modified.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRename_EnablePowerRename
Triggered when PowerRename is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRename_Invoked
Occurs when PowerRename is invoked.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRename_InvokedRet
Triggered when the invocation of PowerRename returns a result.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRename_RenameOperation
Triggered during the rename operation within PowerRename.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRename_SettingsChanged
Occurs when the settings for PowerRename are changed.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerRename_UIShownRet
Triggered when the PowerRename user interface is shown.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherBootEvent
Triggered when PowerToys Run is initialized on boot.
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherColdStateHotkeyEvent
Occurs when the hotkey is pressed in the cold state (not yet initialized).
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherFirstDeleteEvent
Triggered when the first deletion action is performed in PowerToys Run.
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherHideEvent
Occurs when PowerToys Run is hidden.
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherQueryEvent
Triggered when a query is made in PowerToys Run.
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherResultActionEvent
Occurs when an action is taken on a result in PowerToys Run.
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherShowEvent
Triggered when PowerToys Run is shown.
Microsoft.PowerToys.LauncherWarmStateHotkeyEvent
Occurs when the hotkey is pressed in the warm state (initialized).
Microsoft.PowerToys.RunPluginsSettingsEvent
Triggered when the settings for PowerToys Run plugins are accessed or modified.
Microsoft.PowerToys.WindowWalker_EnableWindowWalker
Triggered when the Window Walker plugin is enabled.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerAccent_EnablePowerAccent
Triggered when Quick Accent is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerAccentShowAccentMenuEvent
Occurs when the accent menu is displayed.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.RegistryPreview_Activate
Triggered when Registry Preview is activated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.RegistryPreview_EnableRegistryPreview
Occurs when Registry Preview is enabled.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.MeasureTool_BoundsToolActivated
Triggered when Screen Ruler's Bounds tool is activated.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MeasureTool_EnableMeasureTool
Occurs when Screen Ruler is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.MeasureTool_MeasureToolActivated
Triggered when Screen Ruler's Measure tool is activated.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.ShortcutGuide_EnableGuide
Triggered when Shortcut Guide is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ShortcutGuide_HideGuide
Occurs when Shortcut Guide is hidden from view.
Microsoft.PowerToys.ShortcutGuide_Settings
Indicates a change in the settings related to the Shortcut Guide.
Text Extractor
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerOCR_EnablePowerOCR
Triggered when the Text Extractor (OCR) feature is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerOCRCancelledEvent
Occurs when the text extraction process is cancelled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerOCRCaptureEvent
Occurs when the user has created a capture for text extraction.
Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerOCRInvokedEvent
Triggered when Text Extractor is invoked.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.VideoConference_CameraMuted
Triggered when the camera is turned off by Video Conference Mute.
Microsoft.PowerToys.VideoConference_EnableVideoConference
Occurs when Video Conference Mute is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.VideoConference_MicrophoneMuted
Occurs when the microphone is muted by Video Conference Mute.
Event Name
Description
Microsoft.PowerToys.Projects_CLIUsage
Logs usage of command-line arguments for launching apps.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Workspaces_CreateEvent
Triggered when a new workspace is created.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Workspaces_DeleteEvent
Triggered when a workspace is deleted.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Workspaces_EditEvent
Triggered when a workspace is edited or modified.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Workspaces_Enable
Indicates that Workspaces is enabled.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Workspaces_LaunchEvent
Triggered when a workspace is launched.
Microsoft.PowerToys.Workspaces_Settings
Logs changes to workspaces settings.