PowerToys Set to Add Video Transcoding and Audio Extraction Features
Microsoft’s beloved collection of utilities, PowerToys, is about to get even more useful with the addition of new video-related features. PowerToys is a free suite of over a dozen utilities designed to improve your Windows experience, and the latest updates aim to enhance your video editing capabilities. The upcoming features will allow you to extract an audio track from a video file and perform video transcoding, which involves converting video files between different formats, resolutions, and quality levels.
Rather than adding a completely new app to PowerToys, these features will be integrated into the existing Advanced Paste tool. This update will give users the ability to “paste” an audio track or video file into other applications or locations, streamlining the process of working with multimedia. XDA Developers first noted this addition, and it seems like a handy way to modify video files without needing third-party apps.
Transcoding itself is the process of converting video files into different formats or resolutions, which can drastically affect both file size and compatibility. This is an essential tool for anyone working with videos in various resolutions or formats, especially when they need to optimize files for playback on different devices or for streaming services. Cloud video platforms, such as YouTube and Netflix, already perform transcoding automatically, optimizing video streams based on the user’s device and network speed. However, having the ability to transcode on your own computer could be invaluable for those who prefer more control over their files.
Stripping audio tracks from video files also seems incredibly practical, especially for creators or those looking to remove dialogue from videos for editing or other purposes. While this tool could have a wide array of applications, it’s important to note that users will still need to follow copyright laws when removing or editing audio content from videos.
These updates are still being tested by Microsoft, with Windows developer Clint Rutkas mentioning it on Twitter/X. According to the official GitHub page, the feature is still under discussion, meaning it could be rejected or further refined. Also, PowerToys recently added ZoomIt, a handy tool from the SysInternals package, to the suite. ZoomIt allows users to zoom in on presentations and mark up the screen, making it an excellent addition for professionals who frequently give presentations.
