Microsoft is launching a big copy and paste update - but only for some users

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A major copy and paste shake-up is on the way for some Windows users that may have them breathing a major sigh of relief.

The company has announced that it will be bringing the "paste as plain text" option to Windows 11 and Windows 10 apps with PowerToys, giving users of the open source platform a much smoother experience when copying information over.

Previously, PowerToys users were slightly hampered by the lack of a full paste function, which would allow users to simply copy text as it is, without retaining any formatting such as size, color or other differences.

PowerToys copy and paste

The update was discovered in a Github post, where the developers responsible outlined how the feature, triggered by the familiar Ctrl+Win+V key presses (although users will be able to tweak and create their own custom shortcut), will work in any app where PowerToys works.

"This is heavily based on the work done for the "Text Extractor" module then ripping out anything that may be unnecessary. The same KeyboardMonitor is implemented and used," the developers stated.

"The interesting logic really falls inside the KeyboardMonitor as that is where the clipboard is opened/read/modified, then a ctrl+v input sequence is injected."

There's no news on when the Paste as Plain Text tool will start rolling out, but given how many PowerToys users have requested it, the launch could well start soon.

> Microsoft is secretly cooking up a major Windows 11 update – here’s what we know

> Windows 11 could get big changes to one of its most important apps

> These are the best laptops for programming around

PowerToys is an open source suite of tools for advanced Windows users, designed to help bypass certain settings and perform actions that are unavailable by default. It also offers a wider range of customization options.

Since its relaunch in 2019, Microsoft has regularly serviced PowerToys with new tools and features, a pattern extended with the latest release.

A further PowerToys update earlier in 2022 also included several useful additions, including an "Always on Top" utility that allows users to toggle a window in focus to be on top with a quick press of Win + Ctrl + T. Microsoft also changed the hotkey to mute your webcam and microphone from Win + N to Win + Shift + Q to avoid conflict with an existing Windows 11 keyboard shortcut.

The latest version of PowerToys is available via both the Microsoft Store and the GitHub page.

Also check out our list of the best business laptops

Via: Neowin

Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK's leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he's not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.