Readme refresh (#41896)

## Summary of the Pull Request
Refresh for the readme, removing deadlinks and making things a bit more
structured and easier to find.

Preview link:
https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/tree/niels9001/readme-update

## PR Checklist

- [ ] Closes: #xxx
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [ ] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [ ] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [ ] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [ ] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
signing](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json)
for new binaries
- [ ] [WXS for
installer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/installer/PowerToysSetup/Product.wxs)
for new binaries and localization folder
- [ ] [YML for CI
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ci/templates/build-powertoys-steps.yml)
for new test projects
- [ ] [YML for signed
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/release.yml)
- [ ] **Documentation updated:** If checked, please file a pull request
on [our docs
repo](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-uwp/tree/docs/hub/powertoys)
and link it here: #xxx

<!-- Provide a more detailed description of the PR, other things fixed,
or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments

<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

README.md

@@ -1,38 +1,57 @@
-# Microsoft PowerToys
+<p align="center">
+    <picture>
+      <source media="(prefers-color-scheme: light)" srcset="./doc/images/readme/pt-hero.light.png" />
+      <img src="./doc/images/readme/pt-hero.dark.png" />
+  </picture>
+</p>
 
-![Hero image for Microsoft PowerToys](doc/images/overview/PT_hero_image.png)
+<h1 align="center">
+  <span>Microsoft PowerToys</span>
+</h1>
 
-[How to use PowerToys][usingPowerToys-docs-link] | [Downloads & Release notes][github-release-link] | [Contributing to PowerToys](#contributing) | [What's Happening](#whats-happening) | [Roadmap](#powertoys-roadmap)
+<h3 align="center">
+  <a href="#-installation">Installation</a>
+  <span> · </span>
+  <a href="https://aka.ms/powertoys-docs">Documentation</a>
+  <span> · </span>
+  <a href="https://aka.ms/powertoys-releaseblog">Blog</a>
+  <span> · </span>
+  <a href="#-whats-new">Release notes</a>
+</h3>
+<br/><br/>
+Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities that help you customize Windows and streamline everyday tasks.
+<br/><br/>
 
-## About
+|   |   |   |
+|---|---|---|
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/AdvancedPaste.png" alt="Advanced Paste icon" height="16"> Advanced Paste](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_AdvancedPaste) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Always%20On%20Top.png" alt="Always on Top icon" height="16"> Always on Top](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_AoT) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Awake.png" alt="Awake icon" height="16"> Awake](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_Awake) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/Color%20Picker.png" alt="Color Picker icon" height="16"> Color Picker](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ColorPicker) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Command%20Not%20Found.png" alt="Command Not Found icon" height="16"> Command Not Found](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_CmdNotFound) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Command Palette.png" alt="Command Palette icon" height="16"> Command Palette](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_CmdPal) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/Crop%20And%20Lock.png" alt="Crop and Lock icon" height="16"> Crop And Lock](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_CropAndLock) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Environment%20Manager.png" alt="Environment Variables icon" height="16"> Environment Variables](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_EnvironmentVariables) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/FancyZones.png" alt="FancyZones icon" height="16"> FancyZones](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_FancyZones) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/File%20Explorer%20Preview.png" alt="File Explorer Add-ons icon" height="16"> File Explorer Add-ons](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_FileExplorerAddOns) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/File%20Locksmith.png" alt="File Locksmith icon" height="16"> File Locksmith](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_FileLocksmith) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Host%20File%20Editor.png" alt="Hosts File Editor icon" height="16"> Hosts File Editor](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_HostsFileEditor) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/Image%20Resizer.png" alt="Image Resizer icon" height="16"> Image Resizer](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ImageResizer) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Keyboard%20Manager.png" alt="Keyboard Manager icon" height="16"> Keyboard Manager](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_KeyboardManager) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Find My Mouse.png" alt="Mouse Utilities icon" height="16"> Mouse Utilities](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_MouseUtilities) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/MouseWithoutBorders.png" alt="Mouse Without Borders icon" height="16"> Mouse Without Borders](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_MouseWithoutBorders) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/NewPlus.png" alt="New+ icon" height="16"> New+](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_NewPlus) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Peek.png" alt="Peek icon" height="16"> Peek](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_Peek) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/PowerRename.png" alt="PowerRename icon" height="16"> PowerRename](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_PowerRename) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/PowerToys%20Run.png" alt="PowerToys Run icon" height="16"> PowerToys Run](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_PowerToysRun) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/PowerAccent.png" alt="Quick Accent icon" height="16"> Quick Accent](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_QuickAccent) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/Registry%20Preview.png" alt="Registry Preview icon" height="16"> Registry Preview](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_RegistryPreview) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/MeasureTool.png" alt="Screen Ruler icon" height="16"> Screen Ruler](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ScreenRuler) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Shortcut%20Guide.png" alt="Shortcut Guide icon" height="16"> Shortcut Guide](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ShortcutGuide) |
+| [<img src="doc/images/icons/PowerOCR.png" alt="Text Extractor icon" height="16"> Text Extractor](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_TextExtractor) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/Workspaces.png" alt="Workspaces icon" height="16"> Workspaces](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_Workspaces) | [<img src="doc/images/icons/ZoomIt.png" alt="ZoomIt icon" height="16"> ZoomIt](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ZoomIt) |
 
-Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity. For more info on [PowerToys overviews and how to use the utilities][usingPowerToys-docs-link], or any other tools and resources for [Windows development environments](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/dev-environment/overview), head over to [learn.microsoft.com][usingPowerToys-docs-link]!
 
-|              | Current utilities: |              |
-|--------------|--------------------|--------------|
-| [Advanced Paste](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_AdvancedPaste) | [Always on Top](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_AoT) | [PowerToys Awake](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_Awake) |
-| [Color Picker](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ColorPicker) | [Command Not Found](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_CmdNotFound) | [Command Palette](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_CmdPal) |
-| [Crop And Lock](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_CropAndLock) | [Environment Variables](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_EnvironmentVariables) | [FancyZones](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_FancyZones) |
-| [File Explorer Add-ons](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_FileExplorerAddOns) | [File Locksmith](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_FileLocksmith) | [Hosts File Editor](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_HostsFileEditor) |
-| [Image Resizer](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ImageResizer) | [Keyboard Manager](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_KeyboardManager) | [Mouse Utilities](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_MouseUtilities) |
-| [Mouse Without Borders](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_MouseWithoutBorders) | [New+](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_NewPlus) | [Paste as Plain Text](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_PastePlain) |
-| [Peek](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_Peek) | [PowerRename](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_PowerRename) | [PowerToys Run](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_PowerToysRun) |
-| [Quick Accent](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_QuickAccent) | [Registry Preview](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_RegistryPreview) | [Screen Ruler](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ScreenRuler) |
-| [Shortcut Guide](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ShortcutGuide) | [Text Extractor](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_TextExtractor) | [Workspaces](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_Workspaces) |
-| [ZoomIt](https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview_ZoomIt) |
+## 📋 Installation
 
-## Installing and running Microsoft PowerToys
+For detailed installation instructions, visit the [installation docs](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/install). 
 
-### Requirements
+Before you begin, make sure your device meets the system requirements:
 
-- Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (code name 20H1 / build number 19041) or newer.
-- x64 or ARM64 processor
-- Our installer will install the following items:
-   - [Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=2124703) bootstrapper. This will install the latest version.
+> [!NOTE]
+> - Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (20H1 / build 19041) or newer
+> - 64-bit processor: x64 or ARM64
+> - Latest stable version of [Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=2124703) is installed via the bootstrapper during setup
 
-### Via GitHub with EXE [Recommended]
+Choose one of the installation methods below:
 
-Go to the [Microsoft PowerToys GitHub releases page][github-release-link] and click on `Assets` at the bottom to show the files available in the release. Please use the appropriate PowerToys installer that matches your machine's architecture and install scope. For most, it is `x64` and per-user.
+<details>
+<summary>Download .exe from GitHub</summary>
+
+Go to the [PowerToys GitHub releases][github-release-link], click Assets to reveal the downloads, and choose the installer that matches your architecture and install scope. For most devices, that's the x64 per-user installer.
 
 <!-- items that need to be updated release to release -->
 [github-next-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.95%22
@@ -49,57 +68,49 @@ Go to the [Microsoft PowerToys GitHub releases page][github-release-link] and cl
 | Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.94.0-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] |
 | Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.94.0-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] |
 
-This is our preferred method.
+</details>
 
-### Via Microsoft Store
+<details>
+<summary>Microsoft Store</summary>
+You can easily install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store:
+<p>
+  <a style="text-decoration:none" href="https://aka.ms/getPowertoys">
+    <picture>
+      <source media="(prefers-color-scheme: light)" srcset="doc/images/readme/StoreBadge-dark.png" width="148" />
+      <img src="doc/images/readme/StoreBadge-light.png" width="148" />
+  </picture></a>
+</p>
+</details>
 
-Install from the [Microsoft Store's PowerToys page][microsoft-store-link]. You must be using the [new Microsoft Store](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsExperience/2021/06/24/building-a-new-open-microsoft-store-on-windows-11/), which is available for both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
 
-### Via WinGet
+<details>
+<summary>WinGet</summary>
+
 Download PowerToys from [WinGet][winget-link]. Updating PowerToys via winget will respect the current PowerToys installation scope. To install PowerToys, run the following command from the command line / PowerShell:
 
-#### User scope installer [default]
+*User scope installer [default]*
 ```powershell
 winget install Microsoft.PowerToys -s winget
 ```
 
-#### Machine-wide scope installer
-
+*Machine-wide scope installer*
 ```powershell
 winget install --scope machine Microsoft.PowerToys -s winget
 ```
+</details>
 
-### Other install methods
+<details>
+<summary>Other methods</summary>
 
 There are [community driven install methods](./doc/unofficialInstallMethods.md) such as Chocolatey and Scoop. If these are your preferred install solutions, you can find the install instructions there.
+</details>
 
-## Third-Party Run Plugins
+## ✨ What's new
+**Version 0.94 (September 2025)**
 
-There is a collection of [third-party plugins](./doc/thirdPartyRunPlugins.md) created by the community that aren't distributed with PowerToys.
+For an in-depth look at the latest changes, visit the [Windows Command Line blog](https://aka.ms/powertoys-releaseblog).
 
-## Contributing
-
-This project welcomes contributions of all types. Besides coding features / bug fixes, other ways to assist include spec writing, design, documentation, and finding bugs. We are excited to work with the power user community to build a set of tools for helping you get the most out of Windows.
-
-We ask that **before you start work on a feature that you would like to contribute**, please read our [Contributor's Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md). We would be happy to work with you to figure out the best approach, provide guidance and mentorship throughout feature development, and help avoid any wasted or duplicate effort.
-
-Most contributions require you to agree to a [Contributor License Agreement (CLA)][oss-CLA] declaring that you grant us the rights to use your contribution and that you have permission to do so.
-
-For guidance on developing for PowerToys, please read the [developer docs](./doc/devdocs) for a detailed breakdown. This includes how to setup your computer to compile.
-
-## What's Happening
-
-### PowerToys Roadmap
-
-Our [prioritized roadmap][roadmap] of features and utilities that the core team is focusing on.
-
-### 0.94 - Sep 2025 Update
-
-In this release, we focused on new features, stability, optimization improvements, and automation.
-
-For an in-depth look at the latest changes, visit the [release blog](https://aka.ms/powertoys-releaseblog).
-
-**✨Highlights**
+**✨ Highlights**
 
  - PowerToys Settings added a Settings search with fuzzy matching, suggestions, a results page, and UX polish to make finding options faster.
  - A comprehensive hotkey conflict detection system was introduced in Settings to surface and help resolve conflicting shortcuts. Note that the default hotkey settings (Win+Ctrl+Shift+T, Win+Ctrl+V, Win+Ctrl+T, Win+Shift+T) may overlap with existing Windows system shortcuts. This is expected. You can resolve the conflict by assigning different hotkeys.
@@ -138,13 +149,13 @@ For an in-depth look at the latest changes, visit the [release blog](https://aka
  - Allowed providers to override Dispose with a virtual method.
  - Fixed memory leaks by cleaning up removed or cancelled list items.
  - Sorted DateTime extension results by relevance for better usability.
- - Reduced search text “jiggling” by avoiding redundant change notifications.
+ - Reduced search text "jiggling" by avoiding redundant change notifications.
  - Centralized automation notifications in a UIHelper for better accessibility. Thanks [@chatasweetie](https://github.com/chatasweetie)!
  - Preserved Adaptive Card action types during trimming via DynamicDependency.
  - Added an acrylic backdrop and refined styling to the context menu. Thanks [@jiripolasek](https://github.com/jiripolasek)!
  - Prevented disposed pages and Settings windows from handling stale messages. Thanks [@jiripolasek](https://github.com/jiripolasek)!
  - Made the extension API easier to evolve without breaking clients.
- - Added “evil” sample pages to help reproduce tricky bugs.
+ - Added "evil" sample pages to help reproduce tricky bugs.
  - Fixed WinGet trim-safety issues by replacing LINQ with manual iteration.
  - Cancelled stale list fetches to avoid older results overwriting newer ones in CmdPal.
 
@@ -220,10 +231,10 @@ For an in-depth look at the latest changes, visit the [release blog](https://aka
  - Rewrote system command tests with a new test base and cleaner patterns.
  - Added unit tests for WebSearch and Shell extensions with mockable settings.
  - Added unit tests and abstractions for Apps and Bookmarks extensions.
- - Cleans up AI‑generated tests; adds meaningful query tests across extensions.
+ - Cleans up AI-generated tests; adds meaningful query tests across extensions.
  - Removed the obsolete debug dialog from Settings for a smoother developer loop.
 
-### What is being planned over the next few releases
+## 🛣️ Roadmap
 
 For [v0.95][github-next-release-work], we'll work on the items below:
 
@@ -235,9 +246,19 @@ For [v0.95][github-next-release-work], we'll work on the items below:
  - New UI automation tests
  - Stability, bug fixes
 
-## PowerToys Community
+## ❤️ PowerToys Community
 
-The PowerToys team is extremely grateful to have the [support of an amazing active community][community-link]. The work you do is incredibly important. PowerToys wouldn’t be nearly what it is today without your help filing bugs, updating documentation, guiding the design, or writing features. We want to say thank you and take time to recognize your work.  Month by month, you directly help make PowerToys a better piece of software.
+The PowerToys team is extremely grateful to have the [support of an amazing active community][community-link]. The work you do is incredibly important. PowerToys wouldn't be nearly what it is today without your help filing bugs, updating documentation, guiding the design, or writing features. We want to say thank you and take time to recognize your work. Your contributions and feedback improve PowerToys month after month!
+
+## Contributing
+
+This project welcomes contributions of all types. Besides coding features / bug fixes, other ways to assist include spec writing, design, documentation, and finding bugs. We are excited to work with the power user community to build a set of tools for helping you get the most out of Windows.
+
+We ask that **before you start work on a feature that you would like to contribute**, please read our [Contributor's Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md). We would be happy to work with you to figure out the best approach, provide guidance and mentorship throughout feature development, and help avoid any wasted or duplicate effort.
+
+Most contributions require you to agree to a [Contributor License Agreement (CLA)][oss-CLA] declaring that you grant us the rights to use your contribution and that you have permission to do so.
+
+For guidance on developing for PowerToys, please read the [developer docs](./doc/devdocs) for a detailed breakdown. This includes how to setup your computer to compile.
 
 ## Code of Conduct