Action center (-like) PowerToy

[winston-de]

Purpose

The purpose of this PowerToy would be to provide an easy way for users to access information and settings in one place. This PowerToy would serve as an alternative to the Action Center, and would be similar to the Gadgets feature from Windows 7.

Rationale

The action center is very limited in its abilities, and even more so in its flexibility. Highly requested features, like universal media controls and a volume slider, have yet to be seen.

Functionality

The PowerToy would essentially be a ListView of "cards", similar to the system in Chrome OS and Windows 10x previews. Users would be able to customize which cards to show and the order in which they are shown from PowerToys settings. The list would be contained in a flyout that could be opened from a keyboard shortcut or icon in the taskbar.

Third party cards

This PowerToy would allow users to install third party cards and customize them, much like how you could install Gadgets on Windows 7. If PowerToys ever makes it to the MS Store, cards could be installed from there as app extensions.

Mockup

Cards would be displayed somewhat like this:

This mockup shows a Universal Media Control card, a settings card, and a to-do list card.

Card ideas:

• Quick settings (like ones from the action center)
• Resource monitor (similar to the one in the XBox Game Bar)
• Universal media controls
• Microsoft To-Do list with quick-add
• Calendar/agenda
• Windows ink workspace

Cards could also offer solutions for requested PowerToys features:

• Media controls card (Media controlls in Action Center OR Volume panel #6779)
• Sound controls card (Sound mixer as a toy #1011)
• PowerToys card (A possible solution to [Fluent UX] Quick access flyout in system tray #6751)

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[crutkas]

good idea, this is a more specialized variant of #1354