runner

PowerToys Runner

Introduction

The PowerToys Runner contains the project for the PowerToys.exe executable. It's responsible for:

• Loading the individual PowerToys modules.
• Passing registered events to the PowerToys.
• Showing a system tray icon to manage the PowerToys.
• Bridging between the PowerToys modules and the Settings editor.

Code organization

main.cpp

Contains the executable starting point, initialization code and the list of known PowerToys.

powertoy_module.h and powertoy_module.cpp

Contains code for initializing and managing the PowerToy modules.

powertoys_events.cpp

Contains code that handles the various events listeners, and forwards those events to the PowerToys modules.

lowlevel_keyboard_event.cpp

Contains code for registering the low level keyboard event hook that listens for keyboard events.

win_hook_event.cpp

Contains code for registering a Windows event hook through SetWinEventHook, that listens for various events raised when a window is interacted with.

tray_icon.cpp

Contains code for managing the PowerToys tray icon and its menu commands.

settings_window.cpp

Contains code for starting the PowerToys settings window and communicating with it.

general_settings.cpp

Contains code for loading, saving and applying the general setings.

auto_start_helper.cpp

Contains helper code for registering and unregistering PowerToys to run when the user logs in.

unhandled_exception_handler.cpp

Contains helper code to get stack traces in builds. Can be used by adding a call to init_global_error_handlers in WinMain.

trace.cpp

Contains code for telemetry.

svgs

Contains the SVG assets used by the PowerToys modules.