Crop and Lock is a new feature available for both Windows 11 and Windows 10 v2004 (19041) or newer. It comes as part of PowerToys version 0.73.0, which was just released two days ago for both X64 and Arm64 architectures. This feature offers two modes for users to enhance their productivity and customize their desktop experience.
The first mode is the non-interactive Thumbnail crop. This mode provides users with a live feed of the selected area, which updates with the content on the page. It allows users to create a thumbnail of any app window on their screen. However, it is important to note that you need to make sure the window you want to crop is selected before entering the shortcut. You cannot just grab any random app window on your screen.
The second mode is the “Reparent” mode, which Microsoft describes as more interactive. This mode allows users to create a micro web browser with the content of the selected window. However, it may have compatibility issues with some apps. For example, UWP apps like the Windows Calculator may not react well to being cropped in “Reparent” mode. Similarly, applications like Notepad and OneNote, which use sub-windows or tabs, may also react poorly to being cropped in this mode.
To give you an idea of how Crop and Lock can be used, let’s take a look at some examples. Our own Sean Hollister tested the feature and shared his experience. He made a thumbnail crop of his Steam downloads, allowing him to keep a small window with only those controls. This can be useful for monitoring ongoing downloads without having to switch to the full Steam window. Sean also made a crop of his office lights from Home Assistant, creating a micro web browser with the controls for his lights. This way, he can quickly and easily adjust the lighting in his office without the need for a full-sized window.
However, it is important to note that when you close the cropped app window, the original full window reappears. This means that the crop is not permanent and only provides a temporary view of the selected content.
While Crop and Lock offers several advantages, there are some known issues that users should be aware of. For example, cropping maximized or full-screen windows in “Reparent” mode may not work as expected. It is recommended to resize the window to fill the screen corners instead. Additionally, some UWP apps may not react well to being cropped in “Reparent” mode. The Windows Calculator is a notable example of this. Applications that use sub-windows or tabs, such as Notepad and OneNote, may also have compatibility issues when being cropped in this mode.
In conclusion, Crop and Lock is a valuable addition to PowerToys that allows users to create thumbnail crops and micro web browsers of selected windows. This feature enhances productivity by providing quick access to specific app content without the need for full-sized windows. However, users should be aware of the known issues and consider resizing windows or avoiding certain apps when using the “Reparent” mode. Overall, Crop and Lock offers a customizable and efficient experience for Windows users.