Final verification complete

Co-authored-by: shuaiyuanxx <128874481+shuaiyuanxx@users.noreply.github.com>

.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt

@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ ASSOCSTR
 ASYNCWINDOWPLACEMENT
 ASYNCWINDOWPOS
 atl
+ATX
 ATRIOX
 aumid
 Authenticode
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ azman
 bbwe
 BCIE
 bck
+backticks
 BESTEFFORT
 bezelled
 bhid
@@ -193,6 +195,7 @@ changecursor
 CHILDACTIVATE
 CHILDWINDOW
 CHOOSEFONT
+CIBUILD
 cidl
 CIELCh
 cim
@@ -267,6 +270,7 @@ countof
 covrun
 cpcontrols
 cph
+cppcoreguidelines
 cplusplus
 CPower
 cpptools
@@ -383,6 +387,7 @@ DISPLAYFREQUENCY
 displayname
 DISPLAYORIENTATION
 divyan
+djwsxzxb
 Dlg
 DLGFRAME
 DLGMODALFRAME
@@ -443,6 +448,7 @@ EDITSHORTCUTS
 EDITTEXT
 EFile
 ekus
+eku
 emojis
 ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
 ENABLEDPOPUP
@@ -636,6 +642,7 @@ Hiber
 Hiberboot
 HIBYTE
 hicon
+HICONSM
 HIDEREADONLY
 HIDEWINDOW
 Hif
@@ -816,6 +823,7 @@ keyvault
 KILLFOCUS
 killrunner
 kmph
+ksa
 kvp
 Kybd
 LARGEICON
@@ -922,6 +930,7 @@ LWA
 lwin
 LZero
 MAGTRANSFORM
+makeappx
 MAKEINTRESOURCE
 MAKEINTRESOURCEA
 MAKEINTRESOURCEW
@@ -1254,6 +1263,7 @@ pinvoke
 pipename
 PKBDLLHOOKSTRUCT
 pkgfamily
+PKI
 plib
 ploc
 ploca
@@ -1695,6 +1705,7 @@ syskeydown
 SYSKEYUP
 SYSLIB
 SYSMENU
+systemai
 SYSTEMAPPS
 SYSTEMMODAL
 SYSTEMTIME

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -1,43 +1,59 @@
-# PowerToys – Copilot guide (concise)
+---
+description: PowerToys AI contributor guidance.
+applyTo: pullRequests
+---
+
+# PowerToys - Copilot guide (concise)
 
 This is the top-level guide for AI changes. Keep edits small, follow existing patterns, and cite exact paths in PRs.
 
-Repo map (1‑line per area)
+# Repo map (1-line per area)
 - Core apps: `src/runner/**` (tray/loader), `src/settings-ui/**` (Settings app)
 - Shared libs: `src/common/**`
 - Modules: `src/modules/*` (one per utility; Command Palette in `src/modules/cmdpal/**`)
 - Build tools/docs: `tools/**`, `doc/devdocs/**`
 
-Build and test (defaults)
+# Build and test (defaults)
 - Prerequisites: Visual Studio 2022 17.4+, minimal Windows 10 1803+.
 - Build discipline:
-  - One terminal per operation (build → test). Don’t switch/open new ones mid-flow.
+  - One terminal per operation (build -> test). Do not switch or open new ones mid-flow.
   - After making changes, `cd` to the project folder that changed (`.csproj`/`.vcxproj`).
-  - Use script(s) to build, synchronously block and wait in foreground for it to finish: `tools/build/build.ps1|.cmd` (current folder), `build-essentials.*` (once per brand new build for missing nuget packages)
-  - Treat build **exit code 0** as success; any non-zero exit code is a failure, have Copilot read the errors log in the build folder (e.g., `build.*.*.errors.log`) and surface problems.
-  - Don’t start tests or launch Runner until the previous step succeeded.
-- Tests (fast + targeted):
-  - Find the test project by product code prefix (e.g., FancyZones, AdvancedPaste). Look for a sibling folder or 1–2 levels up named like `<Product>*UnitTests` or `<Product>*UITests`.
-  - Build the test project, wait for **exit**, then run only those tests via VS Test Explorer or `vstest.console.exe` with filters. Avoid `dotnet test` in this repo.
-  - Add/adjust tests when changing behavior; if skipped, state why (e.g., comment-only, string rename).
+  - Use scripts to build, synchronously block and wait in foreground for completion: `tools/build/build.ps1|.cmd` (current folder), `build-essentials.*` (once per brand new build for missing nuget packages).
+  - Treat build exit code 0 as success; any non-zero exit code is a failure. Read the errors log in the build folder (such as `build.*.*.errors.log`) and surface problems.
+  - Do not start tests or launch Runner until the previous step succeeded.
+- Tests (fast and targeted):
+  - Find the test project by product code prefix (for example FancyZones, AdvancedPaste). Look for a sibling folder or one to two levels up named like `<Product>*UnitTests` or `<Product>*UITests`.
+  - Build the test project, wait for exit, then run only those tests via VS Test Explorer or `vstest.console.exe` with filters. Avoid `dotnet test` in this repo.
+  - Add or adjust tests when changing behavior; if skipped, state why (for example comment-only or string rename).
 
-Pull requests (expectations)
-- Atomic: one logical change; no drive‑by refactors.
-- Describe: problem / approach / risk / test evidence.
+# Pull requests (expectations)
+- Atomic: one logical change; no drive-by refactors.
+- Describe: problem, approach, risk, test evidence.
 - List: touched paths if not obvious.
 
-When to ask for clarification
+# When to ask for clarification
 - Ambiguous spec after scanning relevant docs (see below).
-- Cross-module impact (shared enum/struct) not clear.
-- Security / elevation / installer changes.
+- Cross-module impact (shared enum or struct) not clear.
+- Security, elevation, or installer changes.
 
-Logging (use existing stacks)
-- C++: `src/common/logger/**` (`Logger::info|warn|error|debug`). Keep hot paths quiet (hooks, tight loops).
-- C#: `ManagedCommon.Logger` (`LogInfo|LogWarning|LogError|LogDebug|LogTrace`). Some UIs use injected `ILogger` via `LoggerInstance.Logger`.
+# Logging (use existing stacks)
+- C++ logging lives in `src/common/logger/**` (`Logger::info`, `Logger::warn`, `Logger::error`, `Logger::debug`). Keep hot paths quiet (hooks, tight loops).
+- C# logging goes through `ManagedCommon.Logger` (`LogInfo`, `LogWarning`, `LogError`, `LogDebug`, `LogTrace`). Some UIs use injected `ILogger` via `LoggerInstance.Logger`.
 
-Docs to consult
+# Docs to consult
 - `tools/build/BUILD-GUIDELINES.md`
-- `doc/devdocs/core/architecture.md`, `doc/devdocs/core/runner.md`, `doc/devdocs/core/settings/readme.md`, `doc/devdocs/modules/readme.md`
+- `doc/devdocs/core/architecture.md`
+- `doc/devdocs/core/runner.md`
+- `doc/devdocs/core/settings/readme.md`
+- `doc/devdocs/modules/readme.md`
 
-Done checklist (self review before finishing)
-- Build clean? Tests updated/passed? No unintended formatting? Any new dependency? Documented skips?
+# Language style rules
+- Always enforce repo analyzers: root `.editorconfig` plus any `stylecop.json`.
+- C# code follows StyleCop.Analyzers and Microsoft.CodeAnalysis.NetAnalyzers.
+- C++ code honors `.clang-format` plus `.clang-tidy` (modernize/cppcoreguidelines/readability).
+- Markdown files wrap at 80 characters and use ATX headers with fenced code blocks that include language tags.
+- YAML files indent two spaces and add comments for complex settings while keeping keys clear.
+- PowerShell scripts use Verb-Noun names and prefer single-quoted literals while documenting parameters and satisfying PSScriptAnalyzer.
+
+# Done checklist (self review before finishing)
+- Build clean? Tests updated or passed? No unintended formatting? Any new dependency? Documented skips?

.github/prompts/create-commit-title.prompt.md

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+mode: 'agent'
+model: GPT-5-Codex (Preview)
+description: 'Generate an 80-character git commit title for the local diff.'
+---
+
+**Goal:** Provide a ready-to-paste git commit title (<= 80 characters) that captures the most important local changes since `HEAD`.
+
+**Workflow:**
+1. Run a single command to view the local diff since the last commit:
+   ```@terminal
+   git diff HEAD
+   ```
+2. From that diff, identify the dominant area (reference key paths like `src/modules/*`, `doc/devdocs/**`, etc.), the type of change (bug fix, docs update, config tweak), and any notable impact.
+3. Draft a concise, imperative commit title summarizing the dominant change. Keep it plain ASCII, <= 80 characters, and avoid trailing punctuation. Mention the primary component when obvious (for example `FancyZones:` or `Docs:`).
+4. Respond with only the final commit title on a single line so it can be pasted directly into `git commit`.

.github/prompts/create-pr-summary.prompt.md

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+mode: 'agent'
+model: GPT-5-Codex (Preview)
+description: 'Generate a PowerToys-ready pull request description from the local diff.'
+---
+
+**Goal:** Produce a ready-to-paste PR title and description that follows PowerToys conventions by comparing the current branch against a user-selected target branch.
+
+**Repo guardrails:**
+- Treat `.github/pull_request_template.md` as the single source of truth; load it at runtime instead of embedding hardcoded content in this prompt.
+- Preserve section order from the template but only surface checklist lines that are relevant for the detected changes, filling them with `[x]`/`[ ]` as appropriate.
+- Cite touched paths with inline backticks, matching the guidance in `.github/copilot-instructions.md`.
+- Call out test coverage explicitly: list automated tests run (unit/UI) or state why they are not applicable.
+
+**Workflow:**
+1. Determine the target branch from user context; default to `main` when no branch is supplied.
+2. Run `git status --short` once to surface uncommitted files that may influence the summary.
+3. Run `git diff <target-branch>...HEAD` a single time to review the detailed changes. Only when confidence stays low dig deeper with focused calls such as `git diff <target-branch>...HEAD -- <path>`.
+4. From the diff, capture impacted areas, key file changes, behavioral risks, migrations, and noteworthy edge cases.
+5. Confirm validation: list tests executed with results or state why tests were skipped in line with repo guidance.
+6. Load `.github/pull_request_template.md`, mirror its section order, and populate it with the gathered facts. Include only relevant checklist entries, marking them `[x]/[ ]` and noting any intentional omissions as "N/A".
+7. Present the filled template inside a fenced ```markdown code block with no extra commentary so it is ready to paste into a PR, clearly flagging any placeholders that still need user input.

.github/prompts/fix-spelling.prompt.md

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+mode: 'agent'
+model: GPT-5-Codex (Preview)
+description: 'Resolve Code scanning / check-spelling comments on the active PR.'
+---
+
+**Goal:** Clear every outstanding GitHub pull request comment created by the `Code scanning / check-spelling` workflow by explicitly allowing intentional terms.
+
+**Guardrails:**
+- Update only discussion threads authored by `github-actions` or `github-actions[bot]` that mention `Code scanning results / check-spelling`.
+- Resolve findings solely by editing `.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt`; reuse existing entries.
+- Leave all other files and topics untouched.
+
+**Prerequisites:**
+- Install GitHub CLI if it is not present: `winget install GitHub.cli`.
+- Run `gh auth login` once before the first CLI use.
+
+**Workflow:**
+1. Determine the active pull request with a single `gh pr view --json number` call (default to the current branch).
+2. Fetch all PR discussion data once via `gh pr view --json comments,reviews` and filter to check-spelling comments authored by `github-actions` or `github-actions[bot]` that are not minimized; when several remain, process only the most recent comment body.
+3. For each flagged token, review `.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt` for an equivalent term (for example an existing lowercase variant); when found, reuse that normalized term rather than adding a new entry, even if the flagged token differs only by casing. Only add a new entry after confirming no equivalent already exists.
+4. Add any remaining missing token to `.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt`, keeping surrounding formatting intact.

.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json

@@ -235,7 +235,9 @@
             "*Microsoft.CmdPal.UI_*.msix",
 
             "PowerToys.DSC.dll",
-            "PowerToys.DSC.exe"
+            "PowerToys.DSC.exe",
+
+            "PowerToysSparse.msix"
           ],
             "SigningInfo": {
                 "Operations": [

.pipelines/v2/release.yml

@@ -73,10 +73,11 @@ extends:
             parameters:
               pool:
                 name: SHINE-INT-L
-                ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
-                  demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
-                ${{ else }}:
-                  image: SHINE-VS17-Latest
+                demands:
+                  # Our INT agents have a large disk mounted at P:\
+                  - WorkFolder -equals P:\_work
+                  - ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
+                    - ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
                 os: windows
               variables:
                 IsPipeline: 1 # The installer uses this to detect whether it should pick up localizations

Cpp.Build.props

@@ -1,6 +1,56 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project ToolsVersion="4.0"
   xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
+  <!-- Hybrid CRT configuration -->
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(HybridCrtConfiguration)'==''">
+    <HybridCrtConfiguration>$(Configuration)</HybridCrtConfiguration>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <!-- Skip Hybrid CRT for AppContainer/UWP projects as they require MultiThreadedDLL -->
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(AppContainerApplication)'=='true' and '$(_VC_Target_Library_Platform)'!='Desktop'">
+    <HybridCrtConfiguration></HybridCrtConfiguration>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(HybridCrtConfiguration)'=='Debug'">
+    <ClCompile>
+      <!-- We use MultiThreadedDebug, rather than MultiThreadedDebugDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140d.dll and MSVCP140d.dll. -->
+      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
+    </ClCompile>
+    <Link>
+      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
+           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
+           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
+           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
+      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrtd.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
+      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrtd.lib</AdditionalOptions>
+    </Link>
+  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
+  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(HybridCrtConfiguration)'=='Release'">
+    <ClCompile>
+      <!-- We use MultiThreaded, rather than MultiThreadedDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll. -->
+      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
+    </ClCompile>
+    <Link>
+      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
+           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
+           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
+           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
+      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrt.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
+      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrt.lib</AdditionalOptions>
+    </Link>
+  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
+
+  <!-- AppContainer/UWP projects must use MultiThreadedDLL -->
+  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(AppContainerApplication)'=='true' and '$(_VC_Target_Library_Platform)'!='Desktop' And '$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
+    <ClCompile>
+      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebugDLL</RuntimeLibrary>
+    </ClCompile>
+  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
+  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(AppContainerApplication)'=='true' and '$(_VC_Target_Library_Platform)'!='Desktop' And '$(Configuration)'=='Release'">
+    <ClCompile>
+      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDLL</RuntimeLibrary>
+    </ClCompile>
+  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
 
   <!-- Project configurations -->
   <ItemGroup Label="ProjectConfigurations">
@@ -73,7 +123,6 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -83,7 +132,6 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>

Directory.Packages.props

@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@
     <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.Windows.CsWinRT" Version="2.2.0" />
     <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools" Version="10.0.26100.4948" />
     <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK" Version="1.8.250907003" />
+    <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.AI" Version="1.8.37" />
+    <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.Runtime" Version="1.8.250907003" />
     <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.Xaml.Behaviors.WinUI.Managed" Version="2.0.9" />
     <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.Xaml.Behaviors.Wpf" Version="1.1.39" />
     <PackageVersion Include="ModernWpfUI" Version="0.9.4" />

PowerToys.sln

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "runner", "src\runner\runner
 		{D29DDD63-E2CF-4657-9FD5-2AEDE4257E5D} = {D29DDD63-E2CF-4657-9FD5-2AEDE4257E5D}
 		{D940E07F-532C-4FF3-883F-790DA014F19A} = {D940E07F-532C-4FF3-883F-790DA014F19A}
 		{DA425894-6E13-404F-8DCB-78584EC0557A} = {DA425894-6E13-404F-8DCB-78584EC0557A}
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D} = {E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}
 		{E364F67B-BB12-4E91-B639-355866EBCD8B} = {E364F67B-BB12-4E91-B639-355866EBCD8B}
 		{F9C68EDF-AC74-4B77-9AF1-005D9C9F6A99} = {F9C68EDF-AC74-4B77-9AF1-005D9C9F6A99}
 	EndProjectSection
@@ -50,6 +51,8 @@ Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "common", "common", "{1AFB64
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "Common.Lib.UnitTests", "src\common\UnitTests-CommonLib\UnitTests-CommonLib.vcxproj", "{1A066C63-64B3-45F8-92FE-664E1CCE8077}"
 EndProject
+Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "PackageIdentity", "src\PackageIdentity\PackageIdentity.vcxproj", "{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}"
+EndProject
 Project("{9A19103F-16F7-4668-BE54-9A1E7A4F7556}") = "FancyZonesEditor", "src\modules\fancyzones\editor\FancyZonesEditor\FancyZonesEditor.csproj", "{5CCC8468-DEC8-4D36-99D4-5C891BEBD481}"
 EndProject
 Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "powerrename", "powerrename", "{89E20BCE-EB9C-46C8-8B50-E01A82E6FDC3}"
@@ -867,6 +870,14 @@ Global
 		{1A066C63-64B3-45F8-92FE-664E1CCE8077}.Release|ARM64.Build.0 = Release|ARM64
 		{1A066C63-64B3-45F8-92FE-664E1CCE8077}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
 		{1A066C63-64B3-45F8-92FE-664E1CCE8077}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Debug|ARM64.ActiveCfg = Debug|ARM64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Debug|ARM64.Build.0 = Debug|ARM64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Debug|x64.ActiveCfg = Debug|x64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Debug|x64.Build.0 = Debug|x64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Release|ARM64.ActiveCfg = Release|ARM64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Release|ARM64.Build.0 = Release|ARM64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
+		{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
 		{5CCC8468-DEC8-4D36-99D4-5C891BEBD481}.Debug|ARM64.ActiveCfg = Debug|ARM64
 		{5CCC8468-DEC8-4D36-99D4-5C891BEBD481}.Debug|ARM64.Build.0 = Debug|ARM64
 		{5CCC8468-DEC8-4D36-99D4-5C891BEBD481}.Debug|x64.ActiveCfg = Debug|x64

README.md

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Before you begin, make sure your device meets the system requirements:
 
 Choose one of the installation methods below:
 
-<details>
+<details open>
 <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.
@@ -56,17 +56,17 @@ Go to the [PowerToys GitHub releases][github-release-link], click Assets to reve
 <!-- 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+0.96%22
 [github-current-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.95%22
-[ptUserX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.0/PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.0-x64.exe 
-[ptUserArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.0/PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.0-arm64.exe 
-[ptMachineX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.0/PowerToysSetup-0.95.0-x64.exe 
-[ptMachineArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.0/PowerToysSetup-0.95.0-arm64.exe
+[ptUserX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.1/PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.1-x64.exe 
+[ptUserArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.1/PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.1-arm64.exe 
+[ptMachineX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.1/PowerToysSetup-0.95.1-x64.exe 
+[ptMachineArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.95.1/PowerToysSetup-0.95.1-arm64.exe
  
 |  Description   | Filename |
 |----------------|----------|
-| Per user - x64       | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.0-x64.exe][ptUserX64] |
-| Per user - ARM64     | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.0-arm64.exe][ptUserArm64] |
-| Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.95.0-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] |
-| Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.95.0-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] |
+| Per user - x64       | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.1-x64.exe][ptUserX64] |
+| Per user - ARM64     | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.95.1-arm64.exe][ptUserArm64] |
+| Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.95.1-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] |
+| Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.95.1-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] |
 
 </details>
 
@@ -281,4 +281,4 @@ The application logs basic diagnostic data (telemetry). For more privacy informa
 [roadmap]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/wiki/Roadmap
 [privacy-link]: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839 
 [loc-bug]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&template=translation_issue.md&title= 
-[usingPowerToys-docs-link]: https://aka.ms/powertoys-docs
+[usingPowerToys-docs-link]: https://aka.ms/powertoys-docs

_codeql_detected_source_root

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+.

installer/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext/CustomAction.cpp

@@ -594,6 +594,216 @@ LExit:
     return WcaFinalize(er);
 }
 
+UINT __stdcall InstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA(MSIHANDLE hInstall)
+{
+    HRESULT hr = S_OK;
+    UINT er = ERROR_SUCCESS;
+    LPWSTR customActionData = nullptr;
+    std::wstring installFolderPath;
+    std::wstring installScope;
+    std::wstring msixPath;
+    std::wstring data;
+    size_t delimiterPos;
+    bool isMachineLevel = false;
+    
+    hr = WcaInitialize(hInstall, "InstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA");
+    ExitOnFailure(hr, "Failed to initialize");
+
+    hr = WcaGetProperty(L"CustomActionData", &customActionData);
+    ExitOnFailure(hr, "Failed to get CustomActionData property");
+    
+    // Parse CustomActionData: "[INSTALLFOLDER];[InstallScope]"
+    data = customActionData;
+    delimiterPos = data.find(L';');
+    installFolderPath = data.substr(0, delimiterPos);
+    installScope = data.substr(delimiterPos + 1);
+    
+    // Check if this is a machine-level installation
+    if (installScope == L"perMachine")
+    {
+        isMachineLevel = true;
+    }
+    
+    Logger::info(L"Installing PackageIdentity MSIX - perUser: {}", !isMachineLevel);
+
+    // Construct path to PackageIdentity MSIX
+    msixPath = installFolderPath;
+    msixPath += L"PowerToysSparse.msix";
+
+    if (std::filesystem::exists(msixPath))
+    {
+        using namespace winrt::Windows::Management::Deployment;
+        using namespace winrt::Windows::Foundation;
+
+        try
+        {
+            
+            std::wstring externalLocation = installFolderPath; // External content location (PowerToys install folder)
+            Uri externalUri{ externalLocation };               // External location URI for sparse package content
+            Uri packageUri{ msixPath };                        // The MSIX file URI
+            
+            PackageManager packageManager;
+            
+            if (isMachineLevel)
+            {
+                // Machine-level installation
+                
+                StagePackageOptions stageOptions;
+                stageOptions.ExternalLocationUri(externalUri);
+                
+                auto stageResult = packageManager.StagePackageByUriAsync(packageUri, stageOptions).get();
+                
+                uint32_t stageErrorCode = static_cast<uint32_t>(stageResult.ExtendedErrorCode());
+                if (stageErrorCode == 0)
+                {
+                    std::wstring packageFamilyName = L"Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe";
+                    
+                    try
+                    {
+                        auto provisionResult = packageManager.ProvisionPackageForAllUsersAsync(packageFamilyName).get();
+                        uint32_t provisionErrorCode = static_cast<uint32_t>(provisionResult.ExtendedErrorCode());
+                        
+                        if (provisionErrorCode != 0)
+                        {
+                            Logger::error(L"Machine-level provisioning failed: 0x{:08X}", provisionErrorCode);
+                        }
+                    }
+                    catch (const winrt::hresult_error& ex)
+                    {
+                        Logger::error(L"Provisioning exception: HRESULT 0x{:08X}", static_cast<uint32_t>(ex.code()));
+                    }
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    Logger::error(L"Package staging failed: 0x{:08X}", stageErrorCode);
+                }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                AddPackageOptions addOptions;
+                addOptions.ExternalLocationUri(externalUri);
+                
+                auto addResult = packageManager.AddPackageByUriAsync(packageUri, addOptions).get();
+                
+                if (!addResult.IsRegistered())
+                {
+                    uint32_t errorCode = static_cast<uint32_t>(addResult.ExtendedErrorCode());
+                    Logger::error(L"Per-user installation failed: 0x{:08X}", errorCode);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        catch (const std::exception& ex)
+        {
+            Logger::error(L"PackageIdentity MSIX installation failed - Exception: {}", 
+                         winrt::to_hstring(ex.what()).c_str());
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        Logger::error(L"PackageIdentity MSIX not found: " + msixPath);
+    }
+
+LExit:
+    ReleaseStr(customActionData);
+    er = SUCCEEDED(hr) ? ERROR_SUCCESS : ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE;
+    return WcaFinalize(er);
+}
+
+UINT __stdcall UninstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA(MSIHANDLE hInstall)
+{
+    HRESULT hr = S_OK;
+    UINT er = ERROR_SUCCESS;
+    using namespace winrt::Windows::Management::Deployment; 
+    using namespace winrt::Windows::Foundation;
+    
+    LPWSTR installScope = nullptr;
+    bool isMachineLevel = false;
+    
+    PackageManager pm;
+
+    hr = WcaInitialize(hInstall, "UninstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA");
+    ExitOnFailure(hr, "Failed to initialize");
+    
+    // Check if this was a machine-level installation
+    hr = WcaGetProperty(L"InstallScope", &installScope);
+    if (SUCCEEDED(hr) && installScope && wcscmp(installScope, L"perMachine") == 0)
+    {
+        isMachineLevel = true;
+    }
+    
+    Logger::info(L"Uninstalling PackageIdentity MSIX - perUser: {}", !isMachineLevel);
+
+    try
+    {
+        std::wstring packageFamilyName = L"Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe";
+        
+        if (isMachineLevel)
+        {
+            // Machine-level uninstallation: deprovision + remove for all users
+            
+            // First deprovision the package
+            try
+            {
+                auto deprovisionResult = pm.DeprovisionPackageForAllUsersAsync(packageFamilyName).get();
+                if (deprovisionResult.IsRegistered())
+                {
+                    Logger::warn(L"Machine-level deprovisioning completed with warnings");
+                }
+            }
+            catch (const winrt::hresult_error& ex)
+            {
+                Logger::warn(L"Machine-level deprovisioning failed: HRESULT 0x{:08X}", static_cast<uint32_t>(ex.code()));
+            }
+            
+            // Then remove packages for all users
+            auto packages = pm.FindPackagesForUserWithPackageTypes({}, packageFamilyName, PackageTypes::Main);
+            for (const auto& package : packages)
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    auto machineResult = pm.RemovePackageAsync(package.Id().FullName(), RemovalOptions::RemoveForAllUsers).get();
+                    if (machineResult.IsRegistered())
+                    {
+                        uint32_t errorCode = static_cast<uint32_t>(machineResult.ExtendedErrorCode());
+                        Logger::error(L"Machine-level removal failed: 0x{:08X} - {}", errorCode, machineResult.ErrorText());
+                    }
+                }
+                catch (const winrt::hresult_error& ex)
+                {
+                    Logger::error(L"Machine-level removal exception: HRESULT 0x{:08X}", static_cast<uint32_t>(ex.code()));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // Per-user uninstallation: standard removal
+            
+            auto packages = pm.FindPackagesForUserWithPackageTypes({}, packageFamilyName, PackageTypes::Main);
+            for (const auto& package : packages)
+            {
+                auto userResult = pm.RemovePackageAsync(package.Id().FullName()).get();
+                if (userResult.IsRegistered())
+                {
+                    uint32_t errorCode = static_cast<uint32_t>(userResult.ExtendedErrorCode());
+                    Logger::error(L"Per-user removal failed: 0x{:08X} - {}", errorCode, userResult.ErrorText());
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& ex)
+    {
+        std::string errorMsg = "Failed to uninstall PackageIdentity MSIX: " + std::string(ex.what());
+        Logger::error(errorMsg);
+        // Don't fail the entire uninstallation if PackageIdentity fails
+        Logger::warn(L"Continuing uninstallation despite PackageIdentity MSIX error");
+    }
+
+LExit:
+    ReleaseStr(installScope);
+    er = SUCCEEDED(hr) ? ERROR_SUCCESS : ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE;
+    return WcaFinalize(er);
+}
+
 UINT __stdcall RemoveWindowsServiceByName(std::wstring serviceName)
 {
     SC_HANDLE hSCManager = OpenSCManager(NULL, NULL, SC_MANAGER_CONNECT);

installer/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext/CustomAction.def

@@ -33,3 +33,5 @@ EXPORTS
 	CleanPowerRenameRuntimeRegistryCA
 	CleanNewPlusRuntimeRegistryCA
 	SetBundleInstallLocationCA
+	InstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA
+	UninstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA

installer/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext.vcxproj

@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@
     <OutDir Condition=" '$(PerUser)' == 'true' ">$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\UserSetup\</OutDir>
     <IntDir Condition=" '$(PerUser)' != 'true' ">$(SolutionDir)$(ProjectName)\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\MachineSetup\obj\</IntDir>
     <IntDir Condition=" '$(PerUser)' == 'true' ">$(SolutionDir)$(ProjectName)\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\UserSetup\obj\</IntDir>
-    <!-- The CMD script below checks this value, and it is **CASE SENSITIVE** -->
     <NormalizedPerUserValue>false</NormalizedPerUserValue>
     <NormalizedPerUserValue Condition=" '$(PerUser)' == 'true' ">true</NormalizedPerUserValue>
   </PropertyGroup>
@@ -115,7 +114,6 @@
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;CUSTOMACTIONTEST_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -128,7 +126,6 @@
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;CUSTOMACTIONTEST_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>

installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/Directory.Build.props

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <Project>
+  <Import Project="..\..\Directory.Build.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\Directory.Build.props')" />
   <Import Project="..\..\src\Version.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\src\Version.props')" />
   <PropertyGroup>
     <!-- Set BaseIntermediateOutputPath for each project to avoid conflicts -->
@@ -8,4 +9,4 @@
     <!-- Set MSBuildProjectExtensionsPath to use the BaseIntermediateOutputPath -->
     <MSBuildProjectExtensionsPath Condition="'$(BaseIntermediateOutputPath)' != ''">$(BaseIntermediateOutputPath)</MSBuildProjectExtensionsPath>
   </PropertyGroup>
-</Project>
+</Project>

installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/Product.wxs

@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@
       <Custom Action="SetUninstallCommandNotFoundParam" Before="UninstallCommandNotFound" />
       <Custom Action="SetUpgradeCommandNotFoundParam" Before="UpgradeCommandNotFound" />
       <Custom Action="SetApplyModulesRegistryChangeSetsParam" Before="ApplyModulesRegistryChangeSets" />
+      <Custom Action="SetInstallPackageIdentityMSIXParam" Before="InstallPackageIdentityMSIX" />
 
       <?if $(var.PerUser) = "true" ?>
       <Custom Action="SetInstallDSCModuleParam" Before="InstallDSCModule" />
@@ -123,6 +124,7 @@
       <Custom Action="SetBundleInstallLocation" After="InstallFiles" Condition="NOT Installed" />
       <Custom Action="ApplyModulesRegistryChangeSets" After="InstallFiles" Condition="NOT Installed" />
       <Custom Action="InstallCmdPalPackage" After="InstallFiles" Condition="NOT Installed" />
+      <Custom Action="InstallPackageIdentityMSIX" After="InstallFiles" Condition="NOT Installed" />
       <Custom Action="override Wix4CloseApplications_$(sys.BUILDARCHSHORT)" Before="RemoveFiles" />
       <Custom Action="RemovePowerToysSchTasks" After="RemoveFiles" />
       <!-- TODO: Use to activate embedded MSIX -->
@@ -144,6 +146,7 @@
       <Custom Action="UnRegisterCmdPalPackage" Before="RemoveFiles" Condition="Installed AND (NOT UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE) AND (REMOVE=&quot;ALL&quot;)" />
       <Custom Action="UninstallCommandNotFound" Before="RemoveFiles" Condition="Installed AND (NOT UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE) AND (REMOVE=&quot;ALL&quot;)" />
       <Custom Action="UpgradeCommandNotFound" After="InstallFiles" Condition="WIX_UPGRADE_DETECTED" />
+      <Custom Action="UninstallPackageIdentityMSIX" Before="RemoveFiles" Condition="Installed AND (NOT UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE) AND (REMOVE=&quot;ALL&quot;)" />
       <Custom Action="UninstallServicesTask" After="InstallFinalize" Condition="Installed AND (NOT UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE) AND (REMOVE=&quot;ALL&quot;)" />
         <!-- TODO: Use to activate embedded MSIX -->
       <!--<Custom Action="UninstallEmbeddedMSIXTask" After="InstallFinalize">
@@ -199,6 +202,12 @@
 
     <CustomAction Id="UninstallEmbeddedMSIXTask" Return="ignore" Impersonate="yes" DllEntry="UninstallEmbeddedMSIXCA" BinaryRef="PTCustomActions" />
 
+    <CustomAction Id="SetInstallPackageIdentityMSIXParam" Property="InstallPackageIdentityMSIX" Value="[INSTALLFOLDER];[InstallScope]" />
+
+    <CustomAction Id="InstallPackageIdentityMSIX" Return="ignore" Impersonate="yes" Execute="deferred" DllEntry="InstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA" BinaryRef="PTCustomActions" />
+
+    <CustomAction Id="UninstallPackageIdentityMSIX" Return="ignore" Impersonate="yes" DllEntry="UninstallPackageIdentityMSIXCA" BinaryRef="PTCustomActions" />
+
     <CustomAction Id="InstallDSCModule" Return="ignore" Impersonate="yes" Execute="deferred" DllEntry="InstallDSCModuleCA" BinaryRef="PTCustomActions" />
 
     <CustomAction Id="UninstallDSCModule" Return="ignore" Impersonate="yes" DllEntry="UninstallDSCModuleCA" BinaryRef="PTCustomActions" />

installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/SilentFilesInUseBAFunction.vcxproj

@@ -1,30 +1,7 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<!-- Copyright (c) .NET Foundation and contributors. All rights reserved. Licensed under the Microsoft Reciprocal License. See LICENSE.TXT file in the project root for full license information. -->
-
 <Project DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <ItemGroup Label="ProjectConfigurations">
-    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|ARM64">
-      <Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
-      <Platform>ARM64</Platform>
-    </ProjectConfiguration>
-    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|ARM64">
-      <Configuration>Release</Configuration>
-      <Platform>ARM64</Platform>
-    </ProjectConfiguration>
-    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|x64">
-      <Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
-      <Platform>x64</Platform>
-    </ProjectConfiguration>
-    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|x64">
-      <Configuration>Release</Configuration>
-      <Platform>x64</Platform>
-    </ProjectConfiguration>
-  </ItemGroup>
-
   <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
     <ProjectGuid>{F8B9F842-F5C3-4A2D-8C85-7F8B9E2B4F1D}</ProjectGuid>
-    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <TargetName>SilentFilesInUseBAFunction</TargetName>
     <ProjectName>PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext</ProjectName>
     <ProjectModuleDefinitionFile>bafunctions.def</ProjectModuleDefinitionFile>
@@ -33,7 +10,6 @@
 
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
   
-  <!-- Configuration-specific property groups -->
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
@@ -65,7 +41,10 @@
   </PropertyGroup>
 
   <ItemGroup>
-    <ClCompile Include="SilentFilesInUseBAFunctions.cpp" />
+    <ClCompile Include="SilentFilesInUseBAFunctions.cpp">
+      <PrecompiledHeader>Use</PrecompiledHeader>
+      <PrecompiledHeaderFile>precomp.h</PrecompiledHeaderFile>
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="bafunctions.cpp">
       <PrecompiledHeader>Create</PrecompiledHeader>
       <PrecompiledHeaderFile>precomp.h</PrecompiledHeaderFile>
@@ -92,31 +71,5 @@
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
 
-  <!-- C++ source compile-specific things for Debug/Release configurations -->
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
-      <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
-      <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
-      <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
-      <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
 </Project>

installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/SilentFilesInUseBAFunctions.cpp

@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ public: // IBootstrapperApplication
 
         BalLog(BOOTSTRAPPER_LOG_LEVEL_STANDARD, "*** CUSTOM BA FUNCTION SYSTEM ACTIVE *** Running detect begin BA function. fCached=%d, registrationType=%d, cPackages=%u, fCancel=%d", fCached, registrationType, cPackages, *pfCancel);
 
-    LExit:
         return hr;
     }
 
@@ -32,12 +31,6 @@ public: // IBAFunctions
 
         BalLog(BOOTSTRAPPER_LOG_LEVEL_STANDARD, "*** CUSTOM BA FUNCTION SYSTEM ACTIVE *** Running plan begin BA function. cPackages=%u, fCancel=%d", cPackages, *pfCancel);
 
-        //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        // YOUR CODE GOES HERE
-        // BalExitOnFailure(hr, "Change this message to represent real error handling.");
-        //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    LExit:
         return hr;
     }
 
@@ -63,6 +56,7 @@ public: // IBAFunctions
         )
     {
         HRESULT hr = S_OK;
+        UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(source);
 
         BalLog(BOOTSTRAPPER_LOG_LEVEL_STANDARD, "*** CUSTOM BA FUNCTION CALLED *** Running OnExecuteFilesInUse BA function. packageId=%ls, cFiles=%u, recommendation=%d", wzPackageId, cFiles, nRecommendation);
         

src/PackageIdentity/AppxManifest.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<!-- Sparse package manifest (moved to PackageIdentity folder for cleaner organization).
+     Based on Windows AI Foundry WPF sparse sample with PowerOCR customizations. -->
+<Package 
+  xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10"
+  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
+  xmlns:uap2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2"
+  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
+  xmlns:rescap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities"
+  xmlns:desktop="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10"
+  xmlns:uap10="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/10"
+  xmlns:systemai="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/systemai/windows10"
+  IgnorableNamespaces="uap uap2 uap3 rescap desktop uap10 systemai">
+  <Identity
+    Name="Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp"
+    Publisher="CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US"
+    Version="0.0.1.0" />
+
+  <Properties>
+    <DisplayName>PowerToys.SparseApp</DisplayName>
+    <PublisherDisplayName>PowerToys</PublisherDisplayName>
+    <Logo>Images\StoreLogo.png</Logo>
+    <uap10:AllowExternalContent>true</uap10:AllowExternalContent>
+  </Properties>
+
+  <Resources>
+    <Resource Language="en-us" />
+  </Resources>
+  <Dependencies>
+    <TargetDeviceFamily Name="Windows.Desktop" MinVersion="10.0.19000.0" MaxVersionTested="10.0.26226.0" />
+  </Dependencies>
+  <Capabilities>
+    <rescap:Capability Name="runFullTrust" />
+    <systemai:Capability Name="systemAIModels"/>
+    <rescap:Capability Name="unvirtualizedResources"/>
+  </Capabilities>
+
+  <Applications>
+    <Application Id="PowerToys.OCR" Executable="PowerToys.PowerOCR.exe" uap10:TrustLevel="mediumIL" uap10:RuntimeBehavior="win32App">
+      <uap:VisualElements
+        DisplayName="PowerToys.OCR"
+        Description="PowerToys OCR Module"
+        BackgroundColor="transparent"
+        Square150x150Logo="Images\Square150x150Logo.png"
+        Square44x44Logo="Images\Square44x44Logo.png">
+      </uap:VisualElements>
+    </Application>
+    <Application Id="PowerToys.SettingsUI" Executable="PowerToys.Settings.exe" uap10:TrustLevel="mediumIL" uap10:RuntimeBehavior="win32App">
+      <uap:VisualElements
+        DisplayName="PowerToys.SettingsUI"
+        Description="PowerToys Settings UI"
+        BackgroundColor="transparent"
+        Square150x150Logo="Images\Square150x150Logo.png"
+        Square44x44Logo="Images\Square44x44Logo.png">
+      </uap:VisualElements>
+    </Application>
+    <Application Id="PowerToys.ImageResizerUI" Executable="WinUI3Apps\PowerToys.ImageResizer.exe" uap10:TrustLevel="mediumIL" uap10:RuntimeBehavior="win32App">
+      <uap:VisualElements
+        DisplayName="PowerToys.ImageResizer"
+        Description="PowerToys Image Resizer UI"
+        BackgroundColor="transparent"
+        Square150x150Logo="Images\Square150x150Logo.png"
+        Square44x44Logo="Images\Square44x44Logo.png">
+      </uap:VisualElements>
+    </Application>
+  </Applications>
+</Package>

src/PackageIdentity/BuildSparsePackage.cmd

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+@echo off
+REM Wrapper to invoke PowerToys sparse package build script.
+REM Pass through all arguments (e.g. Platform=arm64 Configuration=Debug -Clean)
+
+powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoLogo -NoProfile -File "%~dp0\BuildSparsePackage.ps1" %*
+exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%

src/PackageIdentity/BuildSparsePackage.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,422 @@
+#Requires -Version 5.1
+
+[CmdletBinding()]
+Param(
+    [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+    [ValidateSet("arm64", "x64")]
+    [string]$Platform = "x64",
+    
+    [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+    [ValidateSet("Debug", "Release")]
+    [string]$Configuration = "Release",
+
+    [switch]$Clean,
+    [switch]$ForceCert,
+    [switch]$NoSign,
+    [switch]$CIBuild
+)
+
+# PowerToys sparse packaging helper.
+# Generates a sparse MSIX (no payload) that grants package identity to selected Win32 components.
+# Multiple applications (PowerOCR, Settings UI, etc.) can share this single sparse identity.
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+
+$isCIBuild = $false
+if ($CIBuild.IsPresent) {
+    $isCIBuild = $true
+} elseif ($env:CIBuild) {
+    $isCIBuild = $env:CIBuild -ieq 'true'
+}
+
+$currentPublisherHint = $script:Config.CertSubject
+
+# Configuration constants - centralized management
+$script:Config = @{
+    IdentityName   = "Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp"
+    SparseMsixName = "PowerToysSparse.msix"
+    CertPrefix     = "PowerToysSparse"
+    CertSubject    = 'CN=PowerToys Dev, O=PowerToys, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US'
+    CertValidMonths = 12
+}
+
+#region Helper Functions
+
+function Find-WindowsSDKTool {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        [string]$ToolName,
+        
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [string]$Architecture = "x64"
+    )
+    
+    # Simple fallback: check common Windows SDK locations
+    $commonPaths = @(
+        "${env:ProgramFiles}\Windows Kits\10\bin\*\$Architecture\$ToolName",
+        "${env:ProgramFiles(x86)}\Windows Kits\10\bin\*\$Architecture\$ToolName",
+        "${env:ProgramFiles(x86)}\Windows Kits\10\bin\*\x86\$ToolName"  # SignTool fallback
+    )
+    
+    foreach ($pattern in $commonPaths) {
+        $found = Get-ChildItem $pattern -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | 
+                 Sort-Object Name -Descending | 
+                 Select-Object -First 1
+        if ($found) {
+            Write-BuildLog "Found $ToolName at: $($found.FullName)" -Level Info
+            return $found.FullName
+        }
+    }
+    
+    throw "$ToolName not found. Please ensure Windows SDK is installed."
+}
+
+function Test-CertificateValidity {
+    param([string]$ThumbprintFile)
+    
+    if (-not (Test-Path $ThumbprintFile)) { return $false }
+    
+    try {
+        $thumb = (Get-Content $ThumbprintFile -Raw).Trim()
+        if (-not $thumb) { return $false }
+        $cert = Get-Item "cert:\CurrentUser\My\$thumb" -ErrorAction Stop
+        return $cert.HasPrivateKey -and $cert.NotAfter -gt (Get-Date)
+    } catch {
+        return $false
+    }
+}
+
+function Write-BuildLog {
+    param([string]$Message, [string]$Level = "Info")
+    
+    $colors = @{ Error = "Red"; Warning = "Yellow"; Success = "Green"; Info = "Cyan" }
+    $color = if ($colors.ContainsKey($Level)) { $colors[$Level] } else { "White" }
+    
+    Write-Host "[$(Get-Date -f 'HH:mm:ss')] $Message" -ForegroundColor $color
+}
+
+function Stop-FileProcesses {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        [string]$FilePath
+    )
+    
+    # This function is kept for compatibility but simplified since 
+    # the staging directory approach resolves the file lock issues
+    Write-Verbose "File process check for: $FilePath"
+}
+
+#endregion
+
+# Environment diagnostics for troubleshooting
+Write-BuildLog "Starting PackageIdentity build process..." -Level Info
+Write-BuildLog "PowerShell Version: $($PSVersionTable.PSVersion)" -Level Info
+try {
+    $execPolicy = Get-ExecutionPolicy
+    Write-BuildLog "Execution Policy: $execPolicy" -Level Info
+} catch {
+    Write-BuildLog "Execution Policy: Unable to determine (MSBuild environment)" -Level Info
+}
+Write-BuildLog "Current User: $env:USERNAME" -Level Info
+Write-BuildLog "Build Platform: $Platform, Configuration: $Configuration" -Level Info
+
+# Check for Visual Studio environment
+if ($env:VSINSTALLDIR) {
+    Write-BuildLog "Running in Visual Studio environment: $env:VSINSTALLDIR" -Level Info
+}
+
+# Ensure certificate provider is available
+try {
+    # Force load certificate provider for MSBuild environment
+    if (-not (Get-PSProvider -PSProvider Certificate -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
+        Write-BuildLog "Loading certificate provider..." -Level Warning
+        Import-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.Security -Force
+    }
+    if (-not (Test-Path 'Cert:\CurrentUser')) {
+        Write-BuildLog "Certificate drive not available, attempting to initialize..." -Level Warning
+        Import-Module PKI -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        # Try to access the certificate store to force initialization
+        Get-ChildItem "Cert:\CurrentUser\My" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Out-Null
+    }
+} catch {
+    Write-BuildLog ("Note: Certificate provider setup may need manual configuration: {0}" -f $_) -Level Warning
+}
+
+# Project root folder (now set to current script folder for local builds)
+$ProjectRoot = $PSScriptRoot
+$UserFolder = Join-Path $ProjectRoot '.user'
+if (-not (Test-Path $UserFolder)) { New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $UserFolder | Out-Null }
+
+# Certificate file paths using configuration
+$prefix = $script:Config.CertPrefix
+$CertThumbFile, $CertCerFile = @('.thumbprint', '.cer') | 
+    ForEach-Object { Join-Path $UserFolder "$prefix.certificate.sample$_" }
+
+# Clean option: remove bin/obj and uninstall existing sparse package if present
+if ($Clean) {
+    Write-BuildLog "Cleaning build artifacts..." -Level Info
+    'bin','obj' | ForEach-Object { 
+        $target = Join-Path $ProjectRoot $_
+        if (Test-Path $target) { Remove-Item $target -Recurse -Force }
+    }
+    Write-BuildLog "Attempting to remove existing sparse package (best effort)" -Level Info
+    try { Get-AppxPackage -Name $script:Config.IdentityName | Remove-AppxPackage } catch {}
+}
+
+# Force certificate regeneration if requested
+if ($ForceCert -and (Test-Path $UserFolder)) {
+    Write-BuildLog "ForceCert specified: removing existing certificate artifacts..." -Level Warning
+    Remove-Item $UserFolder -Recurse -Force
+    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $UserFolder | Out-Null
+}
+
+# Ensure dev cert (development only; not for production use) - skip if NoSign specified
+$needNewCert = -not $NoSign -and (-not (Test-Path $CertThumbFile) -or $ForceCert -or -not (Test-CertificateValidity -ThumbprintFile $CertThumbFile))
+
+if ($needNewCert) {
+    Write-BuildLog "Generating development certificate (prefix=$($script:Config.CertPrefix))..." -Level Info
+
+    # Clear stale files in the certificate cache
+    if (Test-Path $UserFolder) {
+        Get-ChildItem -Path $UserFolder | ForEach-Object {
+            if ($_.PSIsContainer) {
+                Remove-Item $_.FullName -Recurse -Force
+            } else {
+                Remove-Item $_.FullName -Force
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    if (-not (Test-Path $UserFolder)) {
+        New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $UserFolder | Out-Null
+    }
+
+    $now = Get-Date
+    $expiration = $now.AddMonths($script:Config.CertValidMonths)
+    # Subject MUST match <Identity Publisher="..."> inside AppxManifest.xml
+    $friendlyName = "PowerToys Dev Sparse Cert Create=$now"
+    $keyFriendly = "PowerToys Dev Sparse Key Create=$now"
+
+    $certStore = 'cert:\CurrentUser\My'
+    $ekuOid = '2.5.29.37'
+    $ekuValue = '1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.3,1.3.6.1.4.1.311.10.3.13'
+    $eku = "$ekuOid={text}$ekuValue"
+
+    $cert = New-SelfSignedCertificate -CertStoreLocation $certStore `
+        -NotAfter $expiration `
+        -Subject $script:Config.CertSubject `
+        -FriendlyName $friendlyName `
+        -KeyFriendlyName $keyFriendly `
+        -KeyDescription $keyFriendly `
+        -TextExtension $eku
+
+    # Export certificate files
+    Set-Content -Path $CertThumbFile -Value $cert.Thumbprint -Force
+    Export-Certificate -Cert $cert -FilePath $CertCerFile -Force | Out-Null
+}
+
+# Determine output directory - using PowerToys standard structure
+# Navigate to PowerToys root (two levels up from src/PackageIdentity)
+$PowerToysRoot = Split-Path (Split-Path $ProjectRoot -Parent) -Parent
+$outDir = Join-Path $PowerToysRoot "$Platform\$Configuration"
+
+if (-not (Test-Path $outDir)) {
+    Write-BuildLog "Creating output directory: $outDir" -Level Info
+    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $outDir -Force | Out-Null
+}
+
+# PackageIdentity folder (this script location) containing the sparse manifest and assets
+$sparseDir = $PSScriptRoot
+$manifestPath = Join-Path $sparseDir 'AppxManifest.xml'
+if (-not (Test-Path $manifestPath)) { throw "Missing AppxManifest.xml in PackageIdentity folder: $manifestPath" }
+
+$versionPropsPath = Join-Path $PowerToysRoot 'src\Version.props'
+$targetManifestVersion = $null
+$versionCandidate = $null
+if (Test-Path $versionPropsPath) {
+    try {
+        [xml]$propsXml = Get-Content -Path $versionPropsPath -Raw
+        $versionCandidate = $propsXml.Project.PropertyGroup.Version
+    } catch {
+        Write-BuildLog ("Unable to read version from {0}: {1}" -f $versionPropsPath, $_) -Level Warning
+    }
+} else {
+    Write-BuildLog "Version.props not found at $versionPropsPath; manifest version will remain unchanged." -Level Warning
+}
+
+if ($versionCandidate) {
+    $targetManifestVersion = $versionCandidate.Trim()
+    if (($targetManifestVersion -split '\.').Count -lt 4) {
+        $targetManifestVersion = "$targetManifestVersion.0"
+    }
+    Write-BuildLog "Using sparse package version from Version.props: $targetManifestVersion" -Level Info
+} else {
+    Write-BuildLog "No version value provided; manifest version will remain unchanged." -Level Info
+}
+
+# Find MakeAppx.exe from Windows SDK
+try {
+    $hostSdkArchitecture = if ([System.Environment]::Is64BitProcess) { 'x64' } else { 'x86' }
+    $makeAppxPath = Find-WindowsSDKTool -ToolName "makeappx.exe" -Architecture $hostSdkArchitecture
+} catch {
+    Write-Error "MakeAppx.exe not found. Please ensure Windows SDK is installed."
+    exit 1
+}
+
+# Pack sparse MSIX from PackageIdentity folder
+$msixPath = Join-Path $outDir $script:Config.SparseMsixName
+
+# Clean up existing MSIX file
+if (Test-Path $msixPath) {
+    Write-BuildLog "Removing existing MSIX file..." -Level Info
+    try {
+        Remove-Item $msixPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop
+        Write-BuildLog "Successfully removed existing MSIX file" -Level Success
+    } catch {
+    Write-BuildLog ("Warning: Could not remove existing MSIX file: {0}" -f $_) -Level Warning
+    }
+}
+
+# Create a clean staging directory to avoid file lock issues
+$stagingDir = Join-Path $outDir "staging"
+if (Test-Path $stagingDir) {
+    Remove-Item $stagingDir -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+}
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $stagingDir -Force | Out-Null
+
+try {
+    Write-BuildLog "Creating clean staging directory for packaging..." -Level Info
+    
+    # Copy only essential files to staging directory to avoid file locks
+    $essentialFiles = @(
+        "AppxManifest.xml"
+        "Images\*"
+    )
+    
+    foreach ($filePattern in $essentialFiles) {
+        $sourcePath = Join-Path $sparseDir $filePattern
+        $relativePath = $filePattern
+        
+        if ($filePattern.Contains('\')) {
+            $targetDir = Join-Path $stagingDir (Split-Path $relativePath -Parent)
+            if (-not (Test-Path $targetDir)) {
+                New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $targetDir -Force | Out-Null
+            }
+        }
+        
+        if ($filePattern.EndsWith('\*')) {
+            # Copy directory contents
+            $sourceDir = $sourcePath.TrimEnd('\*')
+            $targetDir = Join-Path $stagingDir (Split-Path $relativePath.TrimEnd('\*') -Parent)
+            if (Test-Path $sourceDir) {
+                Copy-Item -Path "$sourceDir\*" -Destination $targetDir -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            }
+        } else {
+            # Copy single file
+            $targetPath = Join-Path $stagingDir $relativePath
+            if (Test-Path $sourcePath) {
+                Copy-Item -Path $sourcePath -Destination $targetPath -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    # Ensure publisher matches the dev certificate for local builds
+    $manifestStagingPath = Join-Path $stagingDir 'AppxManifest.xml'
+    $shouldUseDevPublisher = -not $isCIBuild
+    if (Test-Path $manifestStagingPath) {
+        try {
+            [xml]$manifestXml = Get-Content -Path $manifestStagingPath -Raw
+            $identityNode = $manifestXml.Package.Identity
+            $manifestChanged = $false
+            if ($identityNode) {
+                $currentPublisherHint = $identityNode.Publisher
+            }
+
+            if ($identityNode) {
+                if ($targetManifestVersion -and $identityNode.Version -ne $targetManifestVersion) {
+                    Write-BuildLog "Updating manifest version to $targetManifestVersion" -Level Info
+                    $identityNode.SetAttribute('Version', $targetManifestVersion)
+                    $manifestChanged = $true
+                }
+
+                if ($shouldUseDevPublisher -and $identityNode.Publisher -ne $script:Config.CertSubject) {
+                    Write-BuildLog "Updating manifest publisher for local build" -Level Warning
+                    $identityNode.SetAttribute('Publisher', $script:Config.CertSubject)
+                    $manifestChanged = $true
+                }
+                $currentPublisherHint = $identityNode.Publisher
+            }
+
+            if ($manifestChanged) {
+                $manifestXml.Save($manifestStagingPath)
+            }
+        } catch {
+            Write-BuildLog ("Unable to adjust manifest metadata: {0}" -f $_) -Level Warning
+        }
+    }
+
+    Write-BuildLog "Staging directory prepared with essential files only" -Level Success
+    
+    # Pack MSIX using staging directory
+    Write-BuildLog "Packing sparse MSIX ($($script:Config.SparseMsixName)) from staging -> $msixPath" -Level Info
+    
+    & $makeAppxPath pack /d $stagingDir /p $msixPath /nv /o
+    
+    if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0 -and (Test-Path $msixPath)) {
+        Write-BuildLog "MSIX packaging completed successfully" -Level Success
+    } else {
+        Write-BuildLog "MakeAppx failed with exit code $LASTEXITCODE" -Level Error
+        exit 1
+    }
+} finally {
+    # Clean up staging directory
+    if (Test-Path $stagingDir) {
+        try {
+            Remove-Item $stagingDir -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            Write-BuildLog "Cleaned up staging directory" -Level Info
+        } catch {
+            Write-BuildLog ("Warning: Could not clean up staging directory: {0}" -f $_) -Level Warning
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+# Sign package (skip if NoSign specified for CI scenarios)
+if ($NoSign) {
+    Write-BuildLog "Skipping signing (NoSign specified for CI build)" -Level Warning
+} else {
+    # Use certificate thumbprint for signing (safer, no password)
+    $certThumbprint = (Get-Content -Path $CertThumbFile -Raw).Trim()
+    try {
+        $signToolPath = Find-WindowsSDKTool -ToolName "signtool.exe"
+    } catch {
+        Write-Error "SignTool.exe not found. Please ensure Windows SDK is installed."
+        exit 1
+    }
+    Write-BuildLog "Signing sparse MSIX using cert thumbprint $certThumbprint..." -Level Info
+    & $signToolPath sign /fd SHA256 /sha1 $certThumbprint $msixPath
+    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
+        Write-Warning "SignTool failed (exit $LASTEXITCODE). Ensure the certificate is in CurrentUser\\My and try -ForceCert if needed."
+        exit $LASTEXITCODE
+    }
+}
+
+$publisherHintFile = Join-Path $UserFolder "$($script:Config.CertPrefix).publisher.txt"
+try {
+    Set-Content -Path $publisherHintFile -Value $currentPublisherHint -Force -NoNewline
+} catch {
+    Write-BuildLog ("Unable to write publisher hint: {0}" -f $_) -Level Warning
+}
+
+Write-BuildLog "`nPackage created: $msixPath" -Level Success
+
+if ($NoSign) {
+    Write-BuildLog "UNSIGNED package created for CI build. Sign before deployment." -Level Warning
+} else {
+    Write-BuildLog "Install the dev certificate (once): $CertCerFile" -Level Info
+    Write-BuildLog "Identity Name: $($script:Config.IdentityName)" -Level Info
+}
+
+Write-BuildLog "Register sparse package:" -Level Info
+Write-BuildLog "  Add-AppxPackage -Path `"$msixPath`" -ExternalLocation `"$outDir`"" -Level Warning
+Write-BuildLog "(If already installed and you changed manifest only): Add-AppxPackage -Register `"$manifestPath`" -ExternalLocation `"$outDir`" -ForceApplicationShutdown" -Level Warning

src/PackageIdentity/Check-ProcessIdentity.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+    Determine whether a given process (by PID) runs with an MSIX/UWP package identity.
+.DESCRIPTION
+    Calls the Windows API GetPackageFullName to check if the target process executes under an MSIX/Sparse App/UWP package identity.
+    Returns the package full name when identity is present, or "No package identity" otherwise.
+.PARAMETER ProcessId
+    The process ID to inspect.
+.EXAMPLE
+    .\Check-ProcessIdentity.ps1 -pid 12345
+#>
+param(
+    [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+    [int]$ProcessId
+)
+
+Add-Type -TypeDefinition @'
+using System;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+public class P {
+    [DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError=true)]
+    public static extern IntPtr OpenProcess(uint a, bool b, int p);
+    [DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError=true)]
+    public static extern bool CloseHandle(IntPtr h);
+    [DllImport("kernel32.dll", CharSet=CharSet.Unicode, SetLastError=true)]
+    public static extern int GetPackageFullName(IntPtr h, ref int l, StringBuilder b);
+    public static string G(int pid) {
+        IntPtr h = OpenProcess(0x1000, false, pid);
+        if (h == IntPtr.Zero) return "Failed to open process";
+        int len = 0;
+        GetPackageFullName(h, ref len, null);
+        if (len == 0) { CloseHandle(h); return "No package identity"; }
+        var sb = new StringBuilder(len);
+        int r = GetPackageFullName(h, ref len, sb);
+        CloseHandle(h);
+        return r == 0 ? sb.ToString() : "Error:" + r;
+    }
+}
+'@
+
+$result = [P]::G($ProcessId)
+Write-Output $result

src/PackageIdentity/PackageIdentity.vcxproj

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<Project DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
+  
+  <!-- CI Build Configuration -->
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(CIBuild)'=='true'">
+    <ForceCIPackaging>true</ForceCIPackaging>
+    <NoSignCI>true</NoSignCI>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <!-- Target to generate sparse MSIX package -->
+  <Target Name="GenerateSparsePackage" BeforeTargets="PrepareForBuild">
+    <!-- Use NoSign only for CI builds to avoid certificate issues on hosted agents -->
+    <PropertyGroup>
+      <NoSignParam Condition="'$(NoSignCI)' == 'true'">-NoSign</NoSignParam>
+      <NoSignParam Condition="'$(NoSignCI)' != 'true'"></NoSignParam>
+      <CIBuildParam Condition="'$(CIBuild)' == 'true'">-CIBuild</CIBuildParam>
+      <CIBuildParam Condition="'$(CIBuild)' != 'true'"></CIBuildParam>
+    </PropertyGroup>
+    
+  <Exec Command="powershell -NonInteractive -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File &quot;$(MSBuildThisFileDirectory)BuildSparsePackage.ps1&quot; -Platform $(Platform) -Configuration $(Configuration) $(NoSignParam) $(CIBuildParam)" 
+          ContinueOnError="false"
+          WorkingDirectory="$(MSBuildThisFileDirectory)" />
+  </Target>
+
+  <ItemGroup Label="ProjectConfigurations">
+    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|x64">
+      <Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
+      <Platform>x64</Platform>
+    </ProjectConfiguration>
+    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|x64">
+      <Configuration>Release</Configuration>
+      <Platform>x64</Platform>
+    </ProjectConfiguration>
+    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|ARM64">
+      <Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
+      <Platform>ARM64</Platform>
+    </ProjectConfiguration>
+    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|ARM64">
+      <Configuration>Release</Configuration>
+      <Platform>ARM64</Platform>
+    </ProjectConfiguration>
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+  <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
+    <VCProjectVersion>15.0</VCProjectVersion>
+    <Keyword>Win32Proj</Keyword>
+    <ProjectGuid>{E2A5A82E-1E5B-4C8D-9A4F-2B1A8F9E5C3D}</ProjectGuid>
+    <RootNamespace>PackageIdentity</RootNamespace>
+    <ProjectName>PackageIdentity</ProjectName>
+    <UseFastUpToDateCheck>false</UseFastUpToDateCheck>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
+
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
+    <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
+    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
+    <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
+    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'" Label="Configuration">
+    <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
+    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'" Label="Configuration">
+    <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
+    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
+
+  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
+  </ImportGroup>
+
+  <ImportGroup Label="Shared">
+  </ImportGroup>
+
+  <ImportGroup Label="PropertySheets">
+    <Import Project="$(UserRootDir)\Microsoft.Cpp.$(Platform).user.props" Condition="exists('$(UserRootDir)\Microsoft.Cpp.$(Platform).user.props')" Label="LocalAppDataPlatform" />
+    <Import Project="..\Solution.props" />
+  </ImportGroup>
+
+  <PropertyGroup Label="UserMacros" />
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <None Include="AppxManifest.xml" />
+    <None Include="BuildSparsePackage.ps1" />
+    <None Include="BuildSparsePackage.cmd" />
+    <None Include="Check-ProcessIdentity.ps1" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <Image Include="Images\Square150x150Logo.png">
+      <Filter>Images</Filter>
+    </Image>
+    <Image Include="Images\Square44x44Logo.png">
+      <Filter>Images</Filter>
+    </Image>
+    <Image Include="Images\StoreLogo.png">
+      <Filter>Images</Filter>
+    </Image>
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
+
+  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
+  </ImportGroup>
+
+</Project>

src/PackageIdentity/PackageIdentity.vcxproj.filters

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<Project ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <Filter Include="Images">
+      <UniqueIdentifier>{93995380-89BD-4b04-88EB-625FBE52EBFB}</UniqueIdentifier>
+      <Extensions>png;jpg;jpeg;gif;bmp;ico</Extensions>
+    </Filter>
+  </ItemGroup>
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <None Include="AppxManifest.xml" />
+    <None Include="BuildSparsePackage.ps1" />
+    <None Include="BuildSparsePackage.cmd" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <Image Include="Images\Square150x150Logo.png">
+      <Filter>Images</Filter>
+    </Image>
+    <Image Include="Images\Square44x44Logo.png">
+      <Filter>Images</Filter>
+    </Image>
+    <Image Include="Images\StoreLogo.png">
+      <Filter>Images</Filter>
+    </Image>
+  </ItemGroup>
+</Project>

src/PackageIdentity/readme.md

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+# PowerToys sparse package identity
+
+This document describes how to build, sign, register, and consume the shared sparse MSIX package that grants package identity to select Win32 components of PowerToys.
+
+## Package overview
+
+The sparse package lives under `src/PackageIdentity`. It produces a payload-free MSIX whose `Identity` matches `Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp`. The manifest contains one entry per Win32 surface that should run with identity (for example Settings, PowerOCR, Image Resizer).
+
+> The MSIX contains only metadata. When the package is registered you must point `-ExternalLocation` to the output folder that hosts the Win32 binaries (for example `x64\Release`).
+
+## Building the sparse package locally
+
+Two options are available:
+
+- Build the utility project from Visual Studio: `PackageIdentity.vcxproj` defines a `GenerateSparsePackage` target that runs before `PrepareForBuild` and invokes the helper script automatically.
+- Invoke the helper script directly from PowerShell:
+
+```powershell
+$repoRoot = "C:/git/PowerToys"
+pwsh "$repoRoot/src/PackageIdentity/BuildSparsePackage.ps1" -Platform x64 -Configuration Release
+```
+
+Supported switches:
+
+- `-Clean` removes previous `bin`/`obj` outputs and uninstalls existing installation.
+- `-ForceCert` regenerates the local dev certificate (.pfx/.cer/.pwd/.thumbprint) under `src/PackageIdentity/.user`.
+- `-NoSign` skips signing. The MSIX still builds but must be signed before deployment.
+- `-CIBuild` (or setting `$env:CIBuild = 'true'`) keeps the manifest publisher intact and skips the local cert substitution.
+
+The script determines the proper `makeappx.exe` for the host build machine (x64 on typical developer boxes) and creates `PowerToysSparse.msix` in `{repo}\<Platform>\<Configuration>`.
+
+> After packaging finishes, the helper also emits `src/PackageIdentity/.user/PowerToysSparse.publisher.txt`. This file mirrors the publisher string Windows will see once the sparse package is registered, which downstream projects can read to stay in sync when generating their own manifests.
+
+## Local signing basics
+
+When `-NoSign` is not used the script generates (or reuses) a development certificate and signs the package via `signtool.exe`:
+
+1. Artifacts are stored in `src/PackageIdentity/.user/PowerToysSparse.certificate.sample.*` (`.cer` and `.thumbprint`).
+2. Install the `.cer` into `CurrentUser` → `TrustedPeople` (and `TrustedRoot`, if necessary) so Windows trusts the signature:
+
+   ```powershell
+   $repoRoot = "C:/git/PowerToys"
+   Import-Certificate -FilePath "$repoRoot/src/PackageIdentity/.user/PowerToysSparse.certificate.sample.cer" -CertStoreLocation Cert:\CurrentUser\TrustedPeople
+   ```
+
+3. The private key stays in the current user's personal certificate store.
+
+## Registering or unregistering the package
+
+After `PowerToysSparse.msix` is generated:
+
+```powershell
+# First time registration
+$repoRoot = "C:/git/PowerToys"
+$outputRoot = Join-Path $repoRoot "x64/Release"
+Add-AppxPackage -Path (Join-Path $outputRoot "PowerToysSparse.msix") -ExternalLocation $outputRoot
+
+# Re-register after manifest tweaks only
+Add-AppxPackage -Register (Join-Path $repoRoot "src/PackageIdentity/AppxManifest.xml") -ExternalLocation $outputRoot -ForceApplicationShutdown
+
+# Remove the sparse identity
+Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp | Remove-AppxPackage
+```
+
+`-ExternalLocation` should match the output folder that contains the Win32 executables declared in the manifest. Re-run registration whenever the manifest or executable layout changes.
+
+## CI-specific guidance
+
+- Pass `-CIBuild` to `BuildSparsePackage.ps1` (or build with `msbuild PackageIdentity.vcxproj /p:CIBuild=true`). This prevents the script from rewriting the manifest publisher to the local dev certificate subject.
+- The project automatically adds `-NoSign` only when `$(CIBuild)` is `true`. Local Debug and Release builds are signed with the development certificate.
+- Make sure the agent trusts whichever certificate signs the package. If the package remains unsigned (`-NoSign`) it cannot be installed on test machines until it is signed.
+
+## Consuming the identity from other components
+
+1. Add a new `<Application>` entry inside `src/PackageIdentity/AppxManifest.xml`. Use a unique `Id` (for example `PowerToys.MyModuleUI`) and set `Executable` to the Win32 binary relative to the `-ExternalLocation` root.
+2. Ensure the binary is copied into the platform/configuration output folder (`x64\Release`, `ARM64\Debug`, etc.) so the sparse package can locate it.
+3. Embed a sparse identity manifest in the Win32 binary so it binds to the MSIX identity at runtime. The manifest must declare an `<msix>` element with `packageName="Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp"`, `applicationId` matching the `<Application Id>`, and a `publisher` that matches the sparse package. Keep the manifest’s publisher in sync with `src/PackageIdentity/.user/PowerToysSparse.publisher.txt` (emitted by `BuildSparsePackage.ps1`). See `src/modules/imageresizer/ui/ImageResizerUI.csproj` for an example that points `ApplicationManifest` to `ImageResizerUI.dev.manifest` for local builds and switches to `ImageResizerUI.prod.manifest` when `$(CIBuild)` is `true`.
+4. Register or re-register the sparse package so Windows learns about the new application Id.
+5. To launch the Win32 surface with identity, use the `shell:AppsFolder` activation form (for example: `shell:AppsFolder\Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp_<PackageFamilyName>!PowerToys.MyModuleUI`) or activate it via `IApplicationActivationManager::ActivateApplication` using the same AppUserModelID.
+
+   - For locally built packages, resolve the `<PackageFamilyName>` with `Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp | Select-Object -ExpandProperty PackageFamilyName`.
+   - Store-distributed builds use `Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe`. Local developer builds created by this script typically use a different family name derived from the dev certificate.
+
+6. Context menu handlers or other launchers should fall back to the unpackaged executable path for environments where the sparse package is not present.
+
+## Troubleshooting tips
+
+- `Program 'makeappx.exe' failed to run`: make sure you are running an x64 PowerShell host. The script now chooses the appropriate makeappx automatically; update your repo if the log still points to an ARM64 binary.
+- `HRESULT 0x800B0109 (trust failure)`: install the development certificate into both `TrustedPeople` and `TrustedRoot` stores for the current user.
+- Stale registration: remove the package with `Remove-AppxPackage` and re-run the script with `-Clean` to rebuild from scratch.

src/common/CalculatorEngineCommon/CalculatorEngineCommon.vcxproj

@@ -9,12 +9,6 @@
     <RootNamespace>CalculatorEngineCommon</RootNamespace>
     <AppxPackage>false</AppxPackage>
   </PropertyGroup>
-  <!-- BEGIN common.build.pre.props -->
-  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    <EnableHybridCRT>true</EnableHybridCRT>
-    <UseCrtSDKReferenceStaticWarning Condition="'$(EnableHybridCRT)'=='true'">false</UseCrtSDKReferenceStaticWarning>
-  </PropertyGroup>
-  <!-- END common.build.pre.props -->
   <!-- BEGIN cppwinrt.build.pre.props -->
   <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
     <CppWinRTEnabled>true</CppWinRTEnabled>
@@ -25,11 +19,9 @@
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup>
     <MinimalCoreWin>true</MinimalCoreWin>
-    <AppContainerApplication>true</AppContainerApplication>
+    <AppContainerApplication>false</AppContainerApplication>
     <WindowsStoreApp>true</WindowsStoreApp>
     <ApplicationType>Windows Store</ApplicationType>
-    <UseCrtSDKReference Condition="'$(EnableHybridCRT)'=='true'">false</UseCrtSDKReference>
-    <!-- The SDK reference breaks the Hybrid CRT -->
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup>
     <!-- We have to use the Desktop platform for Hybrid CRT to work. -->
@@ -148,43 +140,5 @@
     </PropertyGroup>
     <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props'))" />
     <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets'))" />
-  </Target>
-  <!-- BEGIN common.build.post.props -->
-  <!--
-    The Hybrid CRT model statically links the runtime and STL and dynamically
-    links the UCRT instead of the VC++ CRT. The UCRT ships with Windows.
-    WinAppSDK asserts that this is "supported according to the CRT maintainer."
-
-    This must come before Microsoft.Cpp.targets because it manipulates ClCompile.RuntimeLibrary.
-  -->
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(EnableHybridCRT)'=='true' and '$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreadedDebug, rather than MultiThreadedDebugDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140d.dll and MSVCP140d.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
-      <LanguageStandard Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">stdcpp17</LanguageStandard>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrtd.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrtd.lib</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(EnableHybridCRT)'=='true' and ('$(Configuration)'=='Release' or '$(Configuration)'=='AuditMode')">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreaded, rather than MultiThreadedDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrt.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrt.lib</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <!-- END common.build.post.props -->
+  </Target>  <!-- END common.build.post.props -->
 </Project>

src/common/ManagedCommon/Logger.cs

@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ namespace ManagedCommon
                 {
                     exMessage +=
                         "Inner exception: " + Environment.NewLine +
-                        ex.InnerException.GetType() + " (" + ex.HResult + "): " + ex.InnerException.Message + Environment.NewLine;
+                        ex.InnerException.GetType() + " (" + ex.InnerException.HResult + "): " + ex.InnerException.Message + Environment.NewLine;
                 }
 
                 exMessage +=

src/common/interop/PowerToys.Interop.vcxproj

@@ -63,14 +63,12 @@
   </PropertyGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
     <ClCompile>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
       <LinkIncremental>true</LinkIncremental>
     </ClCompile>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">
     <ClCompile>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
       <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
       <LinkIncremental>false</LinkIncremental>

src/common/notifications/BackgroundActivator/BackgroundActivator.vcxproj

@@ -46,16 +46,6 @@
   <PropertyGroup>
     <TargetName>notifications</TargetName>
   </PropertyGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebugDLL</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDLL</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup>
     <ClCompile>
       <PrecompiledHeaderOutputFile>$(IntDir)pch.pch</PrecompiledHeaderOutputFile>

src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLock/CropAndLock.vcxproj

@@ -82,8 +82,6 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <RuntimeLibrary Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'">MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
-      <RuntimeLibrary Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateWindowsMetadata>false</GenerateWindowsMetadata>
@@ -95,8 +93,6 @@
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <RuntimeLibrary Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'">MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
-      <RuntimeLibrary Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>

src/modules/EnvironmentVariables/EnvironmentVariables/EnvironmentVariablesXAML/MainWindow.xaml

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
             <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
             <RowDefinition Height="*" />
         </Grid.RowDefinitions>
-        <TitleBar x:Name="titleBar">
+        <TitleBar x:Name="titleBar" IsTabStop="False">
             <!--  This is a workaround for https://github.com/microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml/issues/10374, once fixed we should just be using IconSource  -->
             <TitleBar.LeftHeader>
                 <ImageIcon

src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithLibInterop/FileLocksmithLibInterop.vcxproj

@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
     <ClCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebugDLL</RuntimeLibrary>
       <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
       <LinkIncremental>true</LinkIncremental>
     </ClCompile>
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDLL</RuntimeLibrary>
       <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
       <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
       <LinkIncremental>false</LinkIncremental>

src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithUI/FileLocksmithXAML/MainWindow.xaml

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
             <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
             <RowDefinition Height="*" />
         </Grid.RowDefinitions>
-        <TitleBar x:Name="titleBar">
+        <TitleBar x:Name="titleBar" IsTabStop="False">
             <!--  This is a workaround for https://github.com/microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml/issues/10374, once fixed we should just be using IconSource  -->
             <TitleBar.LeftHeader>
                 <ImageIcon

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts/HostsXAML/MainWindow.xaml

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
             <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
             <RowDefinition Height="*" />
         </Grid.RowDefinitions>
-        <TitleBar x:Name="titleBar">
+        <TitleBar x:Name="titleBar" IsTabStop="False">
             <!--  This is a workaround for https://github.com/microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml/issues/10374, once fixed we should just be using IconSource  -->
             <TitleBar.LeftHeader>
                 <ImageIcon

src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchModuleInterface/ThemeHelper.cpp

@@ -3,6 +3,26 @@
 #include "ThemeHelper.h"
 
 // Controls changing the themes.
+static void ResetColorPrevalence()
+{
+    HKEY hKey;
+    if (RegOpenKeyEx(HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
+                     L"Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize",
+                     0,
+                     KEY_SET_VALUE,
+                     &hKey) == ERROR_SUCCESS)
+    {
+        DWORD value = 0; // back to default value
+        RegSetValueEx(hKey, L"ColorPrevalence", 0, REG_DWORD, reinterpret_cast<const BYTE*>(&value), sizeof(value));
+        RegCloseKey(hKey);
+
+        SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_SETTINGCHANGE, 0, reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(L"ImmersiveColorSet"), SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
+
+        SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_THEMECHANGED, 0, 0, SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
+
+        SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_DWMCOLORIZATIONCOLORCHANGED, 0, 0, SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
+    }
+}
 
 void SetAppsTheme(bool mode)
 {
@@ -36,6 +56,11 @@ void SetSystemTheme(bool mode)
         RegSetValueEx(hKey, L"SystemUsesLightTheme", 0, REG_DWORD, reinterpret_cast<const BYTE*>(&value), sizeof(value));
         RegCloseKey(hKey);
 
+        if (mode) // if are changing to light mode
+        {
+            ResetColorPrevalence();
+        }
+
         SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_SETTINGCHANGE, 0, reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(L"ImmersiveColorSet"), SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
 
         SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_THEMECHANGED, 0, 0, SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);

src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchModuleInterface/dllmain.cpp

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ const static wchar_t* MODULE_DESC = L"This is a module that allows you to contro
 
 enum class ScheduleMode
 {
+    Off,
     FixedHours,
     SunsetToSunrise,
     // add more later
@@ -59,8 +60,9 @@ inline std::wstring ToString(ScheduleMode mode)
     case ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise:
         return L"SunsetToSunrise";
     case ScheduleMode::FixedHours:
-    default:
         return L"FixedHours";
+    default:
+        return L"Off";
     }
 }
 
@@ -68,7 +70,9 @@ inline ScheduleMode FromString(const std::wstring& str)
 {
     if (str == L"SunsetToSunrise")
         return ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise;
-    return ScheduleMode::FixedHours;
+    if (str == L"FixedHours")
+        return ScheduleMode::FixedHours;
+    return ScheduleMode::Off;
 }
 
 // These are the properties shown in the Settings page.
@@ -76,7 +80,7 @@ struct ModuleSettings
 {
     bool m_changeSystem = true;
     bool m_changeApps = true;
-    ScheduleMode m_scheduleMode = ScheduleMode::FixedHours;
+    ScheduleMode m_scheduleMode = ScheduleMode::Off;
     int m_lightTime = 480;
     int m_darkTime = 1200;
     int m_sunrise_offset = 0;
@@ -161,7 +165,8 @@ public:
             L"scheduleMode",
             L"Theme schedule mode",
             ToString(g_settings.m_scheduleMode),
-            { { L"FixedHours", L"Set hours manually" },
+            { { L"Off", L"Disable the schedule" },
+              { L"FixedHours", L"Set hours manually" },
               { L"SunsetToSunrise", L"Use sunrise/sunset times" } });
 
         // Integer spinners
@@ -284,9 +289,20 @@ public:
                 g_settings.m_changeApps = *v;
             }
 
+            auto previousMode = g_settings.m_scheduleMode;
+
             if (auto v = values.get_string_value(L"scheduleMode"))
             {
-                g_settings.m_scheduleMode = FromString(*v);
+                auto newMode = FromString(*v);
+                if (newMode != g_settings.m_scheduleMode)
+                {
+                    Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchInterface] Schedule mode changed from {} to {}",
+                                 ToString(g_settings.m_scheduleMode),
+                                 ToString(newMode));
+                    g_settings.m_scheduleMode = newMode;
+
+                    start_service_if_needed();
+                }
             }
 
             if (auto v = values.get_int_value(L"lightTime"))
@@ -304,7 +320,7 @@ public:
                 g_settings.m_sunrise_offset = *v;
             }
 
-            if (auto v = values.get_int_value(L"m_sunset_offset"))
+            if (auto v = values.get_int_value(L"sunset_offset"))
             {
                 g_settings.m_sunset_offset = *v;
             }
@@ -326,6 +342,47 @@ public:
         }
     }
 
+    virtual void start_service_if_needed()
+    {
+        if (!m_process || WaitForSingleObject(m_process, 0) != WAIT_TIMEOUT)
+        {
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchInterface] Starting LightSwitchService due to active schedule mode.");
+            enable();
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            Logger::debug(L"[LightSwitchInterface] Service already running, skipping start.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    /*virtual void stop_worker_only()
+    {
+        if (m_process)
+        {
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchInterface] Stopping LightSwitchService (worker only).");
+            constexpr DWORD timeout_ms = 1500;
+            DWORD result = WaitForSingleObject(m_process, timeout_ms);
+
+            if (result == WAIT_TIMEOUT)
+            {
+                Logger::warn("Light Switch: Process didn't exit in time. Forcing termination.");
+                TerminateProcess(m_process, 0);
+            }
+
+            CloseHandle(m_process);
+            m_process = nullptr;
+        }
+    }*/
+
+    /*virtual void stop_service_if_running()
+    {
+        if (m_process)
+        {
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchInterface] Stopping LightSwitchService due to schedule OFF.");
+            stop_worker_only();
+        }
+    }*/
+
     virtual void enable()
     {
         m_enabled = true;
@@ -413,6 +470,12 @@ public:
         return m_enabled;
     }
 
+    // Returns whether the PowerToys should be enabled by default
+    virtual bool is_enabled_by_default() const override
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+
     void parse_hotkey(PowerToysSettings::PowerToyValues& settings)
     {
         auto settingsObject = settings.get_raw_json();
@@ -471,6 +534,15 @@ public:
                     SetAppsTheme(!GetCurrentAppsTheme());
                 }
 
+                if (!m_manual_override_event_handle)
+                {
+                    m_manual_override_event_handle = OpenEventW(SYNCHRONIZE | EVENT_MODIFY_STATE, FALSE, L"POWERTOYS_LIGHTSWITCH_MANUAL_OVERRIDE");
+                    if (!m_manual_override_event_handle)
+                    {
+                        m_manual_override_event_handle = CreateEventW(nullptr, TRUE, FALSE, L"POWERTOYS_LIGHTSWITCH_MANUAL_OVERRIDE");
+                    }
+                }
+
                 if (m_manual_override_event_handle)
                 {
                     SetEvent(m_manual_override_event_handle);

src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchService/LightSwitchService.cpp

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ SERVICE_STATUS g_ServiceStatus = {};
 SERVICE_STATUS_HANDLE g_StatusHandle = nullptr;
 HANDLE g_ServiceStopEvent = nullptr;
 static int g_lastUpdatedDay = -1;
+static ScheduleMode prevMode = ScheduleMode::Off;
+static std::wstring prevLat, prevLon;
 
 VOID WINAPI ServiceMain(DWORD argc, LPTSTR* argv);
 VOID WINAPI ServiceCtrlHandler(DWORD dwCtrl);
@@ -185,63 +187,165 @@ DWORD WINAPI ServiceWorkerThread(LPVOID lpParam)
         if (isLightActive)
         {
             if (settings.changeSystem && !isSystemCurrentlyLight)
+            {
                 SetSystemTheme(true);
+                Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Changing system theme to light mode.");
+            }
             if (settings.changeApps && !isAppsCurrentlyLight)
+            {
                 SetAppsTheme(true);
+                Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Changing apps theme to light mode.");
+            }
         }
         else
         {
             if (settings.changeSystem && isSystemCurrentlyLight)
+            {
                 SetSystemTheme(false);
+                Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Changing system theme to dark mode.");
+            }
             if (settings.changeApps && isAppsCurrentlyLight)
+            {
                 SetAppsTheme(false);
+                Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Changing apps theme to dark mode.");
+            }
         }
     };
 
-    // --- At service start: immediately honor the schedule ---
+    // --- Initial settings load ---
+    LightSwitchSettings::instance().LoadSettings();
+    auto& settings = LightSwitchSettings::instance().settings();
+
+    // --- Initial theme application (if schedule enabled) ---
+    if (settings.scheduleMode != ScheduleMode::Off)
     {
         SYSTEMTIME st;
         GetLocalTime(&st);
         int nowMinutes = st.wHour * 60 + st.wMinute;
-
-        LightSwitchSettings::instance().LoadSettings();
-        const auto& settings = LightSwitchSettings::instance().settings();
-
         applyTheme(nowMinutes, settings.lightTime + settings.sunrise_offset, settings.darkTime + settings.sunset_offset, settings);
     }
+    else
+    {
+        Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Schedule mode is OFF - ticker suspended, waiting for manual action or mode change.");
+    }
 
-    // --- Main loop: wakes once per minute or stop/parent death ---
+    // --- Main loop ---
     for (;;)
     {
         HANDLE waits[2] = { g_ServiceStopEvent, hParent };
         DWORD count = hParent ? 2 : 1;
 
+        LightSwitchSettings::instance().LoadSettings();
+        const auto& settings = LightSwitchSettings::instance().settings();
+
+        // Check for changes in schedule mode or coordinates
+        bool modeChangedToSunset = (prevMode != settings.scheduleMode &&
+                                    settings.scheduleMode == ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise);
+        bool coordsChanged = (prevLat != settings.latitude || prevLon != settings.longitude);
+
+        if ((modeChangedToSunset || coordsChanged) && settings.scheduleMode == ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise)
+        {
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Mode or coordinates changed, recalculating sun times.");
+            update_sun_times(settings);
+            SYSTEMTIME st;
+            GetLocalTime(&st);
+            g_lastUpdatedDay = st.wDay;
+            prevMode = settings.scheduleMode;
+            prevLat = settings.latitude;
+            prevLon = settings.longitude;
+        }
+
+        // If schedule is off, idle but keep watching settings and manual override
+        if (settings.scheduleMode == ScheduleMode::Off)
+        {
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Schedule mode OFF - suspending scheduler but keeping service alive.");
+
+            if (!hManualOverride)
+            {
+                hManualOverride = OpenEventW(SYNCHRONIZE | EVENT_MODIFY_STATE, FALSE, L"POWERTOYS_LIGHTSWITCH_MANUAL_OVERRIDE");
+            }
+
+            HANDLE waits[4];
+            DWORD count = 0;
+            waits[count++] = g_ServiceStopEvent;
+            if (hParent)
+                waits[count++] = hParent;
+            if (hManualOverride)
+                waits[count++] = hManualOverride;
+            waits[count++] = LightSwitchSettings::instance().GetSettingsChangedEvent();
+
+            for (;;)
+            {
+                DWORD wait = WaitForMultipleObjects(count, waits, FALSE, INFINITE);
+
+                // --- Handle exit signals ---
+                if (wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0) // stop event
+                {
+                    Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Stop event triggered - exiting worker loop.");
+                    break;
+                }
+                if (hParent && wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0 + 1)
+                {
+                    Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Parent exited - stopping service.");
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                // --- Manual override triggered ---
+                if (wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0 + (hParent ? 2 : 1))
+                {
+                    Logger::debug(L"[LightSwitchService] Manual override received while schedule OFF.");
+                    ResetEvent(hManualOverride);
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                // --- Settings file changed ---
+                if (wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0 + (hParent ? 3 : 2))
+                {
+                    Logger::debug(L"[LightSwitchService] Settings change event triggered, reloading settings...");
+
+                    ResetEvent(LightSwitchSettings::instance().GetSettingsChangedEvent());
+
+                    LightSwitchSettings::instance().LoadSettings();
+                    const auto& newSettings = LightSwitchSettings::instance().settings();
+
+                    if (newSettings.scheduleMode != ScheduleMode::Off)
+                    {
+                        Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Schedule re-enabled, resuming normal loop.");
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+
+        // --- When schedule is active, run once per minute ---
         SYSTEMTIME st;
         GetLocalTime(&st);
         int nowMinutes = st.wHour * 60 + st.wMinute;
 
-        LightSwitchSettings::instance().LoadSettings();
-        const auto& settings = LightSwitchSettings::instance().settings();
-
         // Refresh suntimes at day boundary
-        if (g_lastUpdatedDay != st.wDay)
+        if ((g_lastUpdatedDay != st.wDay) && (settings.scheduleMode == ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise))
         {
             update_sun_times(settings);
             g_lastUpdatedDay = st.wDay;
-
             Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Recalculated sun times at new day boundary.");
         }
 
+        // Have to do this again in case settings got updated in the refresh suntimes chunk
+        LightSwitchSettings::instance().LoadSettings();
+        const auto& currentSettings = LightSwitchSettings::instance().settings();
+
         wchar_t msg[160];
         swprintf_s(msg,
-                   L"[LightSwitchService] now=%02d:%02d | light=%02d:%02d | dark=%02d:%02d",
+                   L"[LightSwitchService] now=%02d:%02d | light=%02d:%02d | dark=%02d:%02d | mode=%d",
                    st.wHour,
                    st.wMinute,
-                   settings.lightTime / 60,
-                   settings.lightTime % 60,
-                   settings.darkTime / 60,
-                   settings.darkTime % 60);
-        Logger::info(msg);
+                   currentSettings.lightTime / 60,
+                   currentSettings.lightTime % 60,
+                   currentSettings.darkTime / 60,
+                   currentSettings.darkTime % 60,
+                   static_cast<int>(currentSettings.scheduleMode));
+        Logger::debug(msg);
 
         // --- Manual override check ---
         bool manualOverrideActive = false;
@@ -252,22 +356,20 @@ DWORD WINAPI ServiceWorkerThread(LPVOID lpParam)
 
         if (manualOverrideActive)
         {
-            // Did we hit a scheduled boundary? (reset override at boundary)
-            if (nowMinutes == (settings.lightTime + settings.sunrise_offset) % 1440 ||
-                nowMinutes == (settings.darkTime + settings.sunset_offset) % 1440)
+            if (nowMinutes == (currentSettings.lightTime + currentSettings.sunrise_offset) % 1440 ||
+                nowMinutes == (currentSettings.darkTime + currentSettings.sunset_offset) % 1440)
             {
                 ResetEvent(hManualOverride);
-                Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Manual override cleared at boundary\n");
+                Logger::debug(L"[LightSwitchService] Manual override cleared at boundary");
             }
             else
             {
-                Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Skipping schedule due to manual override\n");
+                Logger::debug(L"[LightSwitchService] Skipping schedule due to manual override");
                 goto sleep_until_next_minute;
             }
         }
 
-        // Apply theme logic (only runs if no manual override or override just cleared)
-        applyTheme(nowMinutes, settings.lightTime + settings.sunrise_offset, settings.darkTime + settings.sunset_offset, settings);
+        applyTheme(nowMinutes, currentSettings.lightTime + currentSettings.sunrise_offset, currentSettings.darkTime + currentSettings.sunset_offset, currentSettings);
 
     sleep_until_next_minute:
         GetLocalTime(&st);
@@ -278,15 +380,14 @@ DWORD WINAPI ServiceWorkerThread(LPVOID lpParam)
         DWORD wait = WaitForMultipleObjects(count, waits, FALSE, msToNextMinute);
         if (wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0)
         {
-            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Stop event triggered <EFBFBD> exiting worker loop.");
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Stop event triggered - exiting worker loop.");
             break;
         }
-        if (hParent && wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0 + 1) // parent process exited
+        if (hParent && wait == WAIT_OBJECT_0 + 1)
         {
-            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Parent process exited <EFBFBD> stopping service.");
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Parent process exited - stopping service.");
             break;
         }
-
     }
 
     if (hManualOverride)
@@ -297,6 +398,7 @@ DWORD WINAPI ServiceWorkerThread(LPVOID lpParam)
     return 0;
 }
 
+
 int APIENTRY wWinMain(HINSTANCE, HINSTANCE, PWSTR, int)
 {
     if (powertoys_gpo::getConfiguredLightSwitchEnabledValue() == powertoys_gpo::gpo_rule_configured_disabled)

src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchService/LightSwitchSettings.cpp

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <WinHookEventIDs.h>
+#include <logger.h>
 
 using namespace std;
 
@@ -27,10 +28,20 @@ std::wstring LightSwitchSettings::GetSettingsFileName()
 
 void LightSwitchSettings::InitFileWatcher()
 {
-    const std::wstring& settingsFileName = GetSettingsFileName();
-    m_settingsFileWatcher = std::make_unique<FileWatcher>(settingsFileName, [&]() {
-        PostMessageW(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_PRIV_SETTINGS_CHANGED, NULL, NULL);
-    });
+    if (!m_settingsChangedEvent)
+    {
+        m_settingsChangedEvent = CreateEventW(nullptr, TRUE, FALSE, nullptr);
+    }
+
+    if (!m_settingsFileWatcher)
+    {
+        m_settingsFileWatcher = std::make_unique<FileWatcher>(
+            GetSettingsFileName(),
+            [this]() {
+                Logger::debug(L"[LightSwitchSettings] Settings file changed, signaling event.");
+                SetEvent(m_settingsChangedEvent);
+            });
+    }
 }
 
 void LightSwitchSettings::AddObserver(SettingsObserver& observer)

src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchService/LightSwitchSettings.h

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ class SettingsObserver;
 
 enum class ScheduleMode
 {
+    Off,
     FixedHours,
     SunsetToSunrise
     // Add more in the future
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ inline std::wstring ToString(ScheduleMode mode)
     case ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise:
         return L"SunsetToSunrise";
     default:
-        return L"FixedHours";
+        return L"Off";
     }
 }
 
@@ -36,8 +37,10 @@ inline ScheduleMode FromString(const std::wstring& str)
 {
     if (str == L"SunsetToSunrise")
         return ScheduleMode::SunsetToSunrise;
-    else
+    if (str == L"FixedHours")
         return ScheduleMode::FixedHours;
+    else
+        return ScheduleMode::Off;
 }
 
 struct LightSwitchConfig
@@ -76,6 +79,8 @@ public:
 
     void LoadSettings();
 
+    HANDLE GetSettingsChangedEvent() const { return m_settingsChangedEvent; }
+
 private:
     LightSwitchSettings();
     ~LightSwitchSettings() = default;
@@ -85,4 +90,6 @@ private:
     std::unordered_set<SettingsObserver*> m_observers;
 
     void NotifyObservers(SettingId id) const;
+
+    HANDLE m_settingsChangedEvent = nullptr;
 };

src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchService/ThemeHelper.cpp

@@ -1,8 +1,32 @@
 #include <windows.h>
+#include <logger/logger_settings.h>
+#include <logger/logger.h>
+#include <utils/logger_helper.h>
 #include "ThemeHelper.h"
 
 // Controls changing the themes.
 
+static void ResetColorPrevalence()
+{
+    HKEY hKey;
+    if (RegOpenKeyEx(HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
+                     L"Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize",
+                     0,
+                     KEY_SET_VALUE,
+                     &hKey) == ERROR_SUCCESS)
+    {
+        DWORD value = 0; // back to default value
+        RegSetValueEx(hKey, L"ColorPrevalence", 0, REG_DWORD, reinterpret_cast<const BYTE*>(&value), sizeof(value));
+        RegCloseKey(hKey);
+
+        SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_SETTINGCHANGE, 0, reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(L"ImmersiveColorSet"), SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
+
+        SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_THEMECHANGED, 0, 0, SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
+
+        SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_DWMCOLORIZATIONCOLORCHANGED, 0, 0, SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
+    }
+}
+
 void SetAppsTheme(bool mode)
 {
     HKEY hKey;
@@ -35,6 +59,12 @@ void SetSystemTheme(bool mode)
         RegSetValueEx(hKey, L"SystemUsesLightTheme", 0, REG_DWORD, reinterpret_cast<const BYTE*>(&value), sizeof(value));
         RegCloseKey(hKey);
 
+        if (mode) // if are changing to light mode 
+        {
+            ResetColorPrevalence();
+            Logger::info(L"[LightSwitchService] Reset ColorPrevalence to default when switching to light mode.");
+        }
+
         SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_SETTINGCHANGE, 0, reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(L"ImmersiveColorSet"), SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);
 
         SendMessageTimeout(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_THEMECHANGED, 0, 0, SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 5000, nullptr);

src/modules/MouseUtils/FindMyMouse/FindMyMouse.cpp

@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ bool SuperSonar<D>::Initialize(HINSTANCE hinst)
         return false;
     }
 
-    DWORD exStyle = WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | Shim()->GetExtendedStyle();
+    DWORD exStyle = WS_EX_TRANSPARENT | WS_EX_LAYERED | WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | Shim()->GetExtendedStyle();
     HWND created = CreateWindowExW(exStyle, className, windowTitle, WS_POPUP, CW_USEDEFAULT, 0, CW_USEDEFAULT, 0, m_hwndOwner, nullptr, hinst, this);
     if (!created)
     {

src/modules/MouseUtils/FindMyMouse/FindMyMouse.vcxproj

@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
@@ -82,7 +81,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>

src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseHighlighter/MouseHighlighter.vcxproj

@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
@@ -66,7 +65,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>

src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseJump/MouseJump.vcxproj

@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
@@ -66,7 +65,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>

src/modules/MouseUtils/MousePointerCrosshairs/MousePointerCrosshairs.vcxproj

@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
@@ -67,7 +66,6 @@
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <ConformanceMode>true</ConformanceMode>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpplatest</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>

src/modules/MouseUtils/MousePointerCrosshairs/dllmain.cpp

@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ extern void InclusiveCrosshairsRequestUpdatePosition();
 extern void InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOn();
 extern void InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOff();
 extern void InclusiveCrosshairsSetExternalControl(bool enabled);
+extern void InclusiveCrosshairsSetOrientation(CrosshairsOrientation orientation);
+extern bool InclusiveCrosshairsIsEnabled();
+extern void InclusiveCrosshairsSwitch();
 
 // Non-Localizable strings
 namespace
@@ -244,12 +247,19 @@ public:
             return false;
         }
 
-        if (hotkeyId == 0)
+        if (hotkeyId == 0) // Crosshairs activation
         {
+            // If gliding cursor is active, cancel it and activate crosshairs
+            if (m_glideState.load() != 0)
+            {
+                CancelGliding(true /*activateCrosshairs*/);
+                return true;
+            }
+            // Otherwise, normal crosshairs toggle
             InclusiveCrosshairsSwitch();
             return true;
         }
-        if (hotkeyId == 1)
+        if (hotkeyId == 1) // Gliding cursor activation
         {
             HandleGlidingHotkey();
             return true;
@@ -268,25 +278,44 @@ private:
         SendInput(2, inputs, sizeof(INPUT));
     }
 
-    // Cancel gliding without performing the final click (Escape handling)
-    void CancelGliding()
+    // Cancel gliding with option to activate crosshairs in user's preferred orientation
+    void CancelGliding(bool activateCrosshairs)
     {
         int state = m_glideState.load();
         if (state == 0)
         {
             return; // nothing to cancel
         }
+        
+        // Stop all gliding operations
         StopXTimer();
         StopYTimer();
         m_glideState = 0;
-        InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOff();
+        UninstallKeyboardHook();
+        
+        // Reset crosshairs control and restore user settings
         InclusiveCrosshairsSetExternalControl(false);
+        InclusiveCrosshairsSetOrientation(m_inclusiveCrosshairsSettings.crosshairsOrientation);
+        
+        if (activateCrosshairs)
+        {
+            // User is switching to crosshairs mode - enable with their settings
+            InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOn();
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // User canceled (Escape) - turn off crosshairs completely
+            InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOff();
+        }
+        
+        // Reset gliding state
         if (auto s = m_state)
         {
             s->xFraction = 0.0;
             s->yFraction = 0.0;
         }
-        Logger::debug("Gliding cursor cancelled via Escape key");
+        
+        Logger::debug("Gliding cursor cancelled (activateCrosshairs={})", activateCrosshairs ? 1 : 0);
     }
 
     // Stateless helpers operating on shared State
@@ -425,21 +454,22 @@ private:
         {
             return;
         }
-        // Simulate the AHK state machine
+        
         int state = m_glideState.load();
         switch (state)
         {
-        case 0:
+        case 0: // Starting gliding
         {
-            // For detect for cancel key
+            // Install keyboard hook for Escape cancellation
             InstallKeyboardHook();
-            // Ensure crosshairs on (do not toggle off if already on)
-            InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOn();
-            // Disable internal mouse hook so we control position updates explicitly
+            
+            // Force crosshairs visible in BOTH orientation for gliding, regardless of user setting
+            // Set external control before enabling to prevent internal movement hook from attaching
             InclusiveCrosshairsSetExternalControl(true);
-            // Override crosshairs to show both for Gliding Cursor
             InclusiveCrosshairsSetOrientation(CrosshairsOrientation::Both);
+            InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOn(); // Always ensure they are visible
 
+            // Initialize gliding state
             s->currentXPos = 0;
             s->currentXSpeed = s->fastHSpeed;
             s->xFraction = 0.0;
@@ -447,20 +477,17 @@ private:
             int y = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CYVIRTUALSCREEN) / 2;
             SetCursorPos(0, y);
             InclusiveCrosshairsRequestUpdatePosition();
+            
             m_glideState = 1;
             StartXTimer();
             break;
         }
-        case 1:
-        {
-            // Slow horizontal
+        case 1: // Slow horizontal
             s->currentXSpeed = s->slowHSpeed;
             m_glideState = 2;
             break;
-        }
-        case 2:
+        case 2: // Switch to vertical fast
         {
-            // Stop horizontal, start vertical (fast)
             StopXTimer();
             s->currentYSpeed = s->fastVSpeed;
             s->currentYPos = 0;
@@ -471,33 +498,37 @@ private:
             StartYTimer();
             break;
         }
-        case 3:
-        {
-            // Slow vertical
+        case 3: // Slow vertical
             s->currentYSpeed = s->slowVSpeed;
             m_glideState = 4;
             break;
-        }
-        case 4:
+        case 4: // Finalize (click and end)
         default:
         {
-            UninstallKeyboardHook();
-            // Stop vertical, click, turn crosshairs off, re-enable internal tracking, reset state
+            // Complete the gliding sequence
             StopYTimer();
             m_glideState = 0;
             LeftClick();
-            InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOff();
+            
+            // Restore normal crosshairs operation and turn them off
             InclusiveCrosshairsSetExternalControl(false);
-            // Restore original crosshairs orientation setting
             InclusiveCrosshairsSetOrientation(m_inclusiveCrosshairsSettings.crosshairsOrientation);
-            s->xFraction = 0.0;
-            s->yFraction = 0.0;
+            InclusiveCrosshairsEnsureOff();
+            
+            UninstallKeyboardHook();
+            
+            // Reset state
+            if (auto sp = m_state)
+            {
+                sp->xFraction = 0.0;
+                sp->yFraction = 0.0;
+            }
             break;
         }
         }
     }
 
-    // Low-level keyboard hook procedures
+    // Low-level keyboard hook for Escape cancellation
     static LRESULT CALLBACK LowLevelKeyboardProc(int nCode, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
     {
         if (nCode == HC_ACTION)
@@ -509,14 +540,11 @@ private:
                 {
                     if (inst->m_enabled && inst->m_glideState.load() != 0)
                     {
-                        inst->UninstallKeyboardHook();
-                        inst->CancelGliding();
+                        inst->CancelGliding(false); // Escape cancels without activating crosshairs
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
-
-        // Do not swallow Escape; pass it through
         return CallNextHookEx(nullptr, nCode, wParam, lParam);
     }
 

src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/Common.VK.cs

@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders
         internal const int WM_RBUTTONDBLCLK = 0x206;
         internal const int WM_MBUTTONDBLCLK = 0x209;
         internal const int WM_MOUSEWHEEL = 0x020A;
+        internal const int WM_MOUSEHWHEEL = 0x020E;
 
         internal const int WM_KEYDOWN = 0x100;
         internal const int WM_KEYUP = 0x101;

src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/InputSimulation.cs

@@ -204,6 +204,9 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
                 case Common.WM_MOUSEWHEEL:
                     mouse_input.mi.dwFlags |= (int)NativeMethods.MOUSEEVENTF.WHEEL;
                     break;
+                case Common.WM_MOUSEHWHEEL:
+                    mouse_input.mi.dwFlags |= (int)NativeMethods.MOUSEEVENTF.HWHEEL;
+                    break;
                 case Common.WM_XBUTTONUP:
                     mouse_input.mi.dwFlags |= (int)NativeMethods.MOUSEEVENTF.XUP;
                     break;

src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/NativeMethods.cs

@@ -556,6 +556,7 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
             XDOWN = 0x0080,
             XUP = 0x0100,
             WHEEL = 0x0800,
+            HWHEEL = 0x1000,
             VIRTUALDESK = 0x4000,
             ABSOLUTE = 0x8000,
         }

src/modules/NewPlus/NewShellExtensionContextMenu/NewShellExtensionContextMenu.vcxproj

@@ -67,8 +67,6 @@
       <EnableUAC>false</EnableUAC>
       <ModuleDefinitionFile>dll.def</ModuleDefinitionFile>
       <AdditionalDependencies>runtimeobject.lib;$(CoreLibraryDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      </IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
     </Link>
     <PreBuildEvent>
       <Command>del $(OutDir)\NewPlusPackage.msix /q
@@ -100,8 +98,6 @@ MakeAppx.exe pack /d . /p $(OutDir)NewPlusPackage.msix /nv</Command>
       <EnableUAC>false</EnableUAC>
       <ModuleDefinitionFile>dll.def</ModuleDefinitionFile>
       <AdditionalDependencies>runtimeobject.lib;$(CoreLibraryDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      </IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
     </Link>
     <PreBuildEvent>
       <Command>del $(OutDir)\NewPlusPackage.msix /q

src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLauncher/WorkspacesLauncher.vcxproj

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -40,7 +39,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>false</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>

src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesSnapshotTool/WorkspacesSnapshotTool.vcxproj

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -40,7 +39,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>false</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>

src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesWindowArranger/WorkspacesWindowArranger.vcxproj

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -40,7 +39,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>false</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>

src/modules/ZoomIt/ZoomIt/ZoomIt.vcxproj

@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>__ZOOMIT_POWERTOYS__;_UNICODE;UNICODE;WINVER=0x602;NDEBUG;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602;_WIN32_WINDOWS=0x501;WIN32;_WINDOWS;MSVC6=1;_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <StringPooling>true</StringPooling>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
@@ -103,7 +102,6 @@
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>__ZOOMIT_POWERTOYS__;_UNICODE;UNICODE;WINVER=0x602;NDEBUG;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602;_WIN32_WINDOWS=0x501;WIN32;_WINDOWS;MSVC6=1;_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <StringPooling>true</StringPooling>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
@@ -126,7 +124,6 @@
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>__ZOOMIT_POWERTOYS__;_UNICODE;UNICODE;WINVER=0x602;NDEBUG;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602;_WIN32_WINDOWS=0x501;WIN32;_WINDOWS;MSVC6=1;_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <StringPooling>true</StringPooling>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
@@ -148,7 +145,6 @@
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>__ZOOMIT_POWERTOYS__;_UNICODE;UNICODE;WINVER=0x0602;_DEBUG;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602.MSVC6;_WIN32_WINDOWS=0x600;WIN32;_WINDOWS;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602;MSVC6=1;_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_M_IX86;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
@@ -169,7 +165,6 @@
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>__ZOOMIT_POWERTOYS__;_UNICODE;UNICODE;WINVER=0x0602;_DEBUG;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602.MSVC6;_WIN32_WINDOWS=0x600;WIN32;_WINDOWS;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602;MSVC6=1;_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_M_X64;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
@@ -191,7 +186,6 @@
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>__ZOOMIT_POWERTOYS__;_UNICODE;UNICODE;WINVER=0x0602;_DEBUG;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602.MSVC6;_WIN32_WINDOWS=0x600;WIN32;_WINDOWS;_WIN32_WINNT=0x602;MSVC6=1;_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_M_ARM64;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>

src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTop/AlwaysOnTop.vcxproj

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -40,7 +39,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>false</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>

src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalKeyboardService/CmdPalKeyboardService.vcxproj

@@ -141,43 +141,4 @@
     <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props'))" />
     <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets'))" />
   </Target>
-
-  <!-- BEGIN common.build.post.props -->
-  <!--
-    The Hybrid CRT model statically links the runtime and STL and dynamically
-    links the UCRT instead of the VC++ CRT. The UCRT ships with Windows.
-    WinAppSDK asserts that this is "supported according to the CRT maintainer."
-
-    This must come before Microsoft.Cpp.targets because it manipulates ClCompile.RuntimeLibrary.
-  -->
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(EnableHybridCRT)'=='true' and '$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreadedDebug, rather than MultiThreadedDebugDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140d.dll and MSVCP140d.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrtd.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrtd.lib</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(EnableHybridCRT)'=='true' and ('$(Configuration)'=='Release' or '$(Configuration)'=='AuditMode')">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreaded, rather than MultiThreadedDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrt.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrt.lib</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <!-- END common.build.post.props -->
-
 </Project>

src/modules/cmdpal/Core/Microsoft.CmdPal.Core.ViewModels/PageViewModel.cs

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public partial class PageViewModel : ExtensionObjectViewModel, IPageContext
     // `IsLoading` property as a combo of this value and `IsInitialized`
     public bool ModelIsLoading { get; protected set; } = true;
 
-    public bool HasSearchBox { get; protected set; }
+    public bool HasSearchBox { get; protected set; } = true;
 
     public IconInfoViewModel Icon { get; protected set; }
 

src/modules/cmdpal/Core/Microsoft.CmdPal.Core.ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System.ComponentModel;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.ComponentModel;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Input;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Messaging;
@@ -48,6 +49,9 @@ public partial class ShellViewModel : ObservableObject,
             var oldValue = _currentPage;
             if (SetProperty(ref _currentPage, value))
             {
+                oldValue.PropertyChanged -= CurrentPage_PropertyChanged;
+                value.PropertyChanged += CurrentPage_PropertyChanged;
+
                 if (oldValue is IDisposable disposable)
                 {
                     try
@@ -63,6 +67,14 @@ public partial class ShellViewModel : ObservableObject,
         }
     }
 
+    private void CurrentPage_PropertyChanged(object? sender, PropertyChangedEventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (e.PropertyName == nameof(PageViewModel.HasSearchBox))
+        {
+            IsSearchBoxVisible = CurrentPage.HasSearchBox;
+        }
+    }
+
     private IPage? _rootPage;
 
     private bool _isNested;

src/modules/cmdpal/CoreCommonProps.props

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+<Project>
   <Import Project="..\..\Common.Dotnet.CsWinRT.props" />
   <Import Project="..\..\Common.Dotnet.AotCompatibility.props" />
   <PropertyGroup>

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels/TopLevelViewModel.cs

@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ public sealed partial class TopLevelViewModel : ObservableObject, IListItem
         {
             PropChanged?.Invoke(this, new PropChangedEventArgs(e.PropertyName));
 
-            if (e.PropertyName == "IsInitialized")
+            if (e.PropertyName is "IsInitialized" or nameof(CommandItemViewModel.Command))
             {
                 GenerateId();
 

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Helpers/LocalKeyboardListener.cs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Helpers;
 /// <summary>
 /// A class that listens for local keyboard events using a Windows hook.
 /// </summary>
-internal sealed class LocalKeyboardListener : IDisposable
+internal sealed partial class LocalKeyboardListener : IDisposable
 {
     /// <summary>
     /// Event that is raised when a key is pressed down.

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/LocalSuppressions.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
+
+[assembly: SuppressMessage("Interoperability", "CsWinRT1028: Class should be marked partial", Justification = "CsWin32 generated code; not used across WinRT boundary", Scope = "type", Target = "~T:Windows.Win32.DestroyIconSafeHandle")]
+[assembly: SuppressMessage("Interoperability", "CsWinRT1028: Class should be marked partial", Justification = "CsWin32 generated code; not used across WinRT boundary", Scope = "type", Target = "~T:Windows.Win32.DestroyMenuSafeHandle")]
+[assembly: SuppressMessage("Interoperability", "CsWinRT1028: Class should be marked partial", Justification = "CsWin32 generated code; not used across WinRT boundary", Scope = "type", Target = "~T:Windows.Win32.FreeLibrarySafeHandle")]
+[assembly: SuppressMessage("Interoperability", "CsWinRT1028: Class should be marked partial", Justification = "CsWin32 generated code; not used across WinRT boundary", Scope = "type", Target = "~T:Windows.Win32.UnhookWindowsHookExSafeHandle")]

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Pages/ShellPage.xaml.cs

@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
     IRecipient<ShowConfirmationMessage>,
     IRecipient<ShowToastMessage>,
     IRecipient<NavigateToPageMessage>,
-    INotifyPropertyChanged
+    INotifyPropertyChanged,
+    IDisposable
 {
     private readonly DispatcherQueue _queue = DispatcherQueue.GetForCurrentThread();
 
@@ -65,6 +66,9 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
 
     private SettingsWindow? _settingsWindow;
 
+    private CancellationTokenSource? _focusAfterLoadedCts;
+    private WeakReference<Page>? _lastNavigatedPageRef;
+
     public ShellViewModel ViewModel { get; private set; } = App.Current.Services.GetService<ShellViewModel>()!;
 
     public event PropertyChangedEventHandler? PropertyChanged;
@@ -447,7 +451,15 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
     {
         while (RootFrame.CanGoBack)
         {
-            GoBack(withAnimation, focusSearch);
+            // don't focus on each step, just at the end
+            GoBack(withAnimation, focusSearch: false);
+        }
+
+        // focus search box, even if we were already home
+        if (focusSearch)
+        {
+            SearchBox.Focus(Microsoft.UI.Xaml.FocusState.Programmatic);
+            SearchBox.SelectSearch();
         }
     }
 
@@ -488,6 +500,7 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
 
         if (e.Content is Page element)
         {
+            _lastNavigatedPageRef = new WeakReference<Page>(element);
             element.Loaded += FocusAfterLoaded;
         }
     }
@@ -497,6 +510,18 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
         var page = (Page)sender;
         page.Loaded -= FocusAfterLoaded;
 
+        // Only handle focus for the latest navigated page
+        if (_lastNavigatedPageRef is null || !_lastNavigatedPageRef.TryGetTarget(out var last) || !ReferenceEquals(page, last))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Cancel any previous pending focus work
+        _focusAfterLoadedCts?.Cancel();
+        _focusAfterLoadedCts?.Dispose();
+        _focusAfterLoadedCts = new CancellationTokenSource();
+        var token = _focusAfterLoadedCts.Token;
+
         AnnounceNavigationToPage(page);
 
         var shouldSearchBoxBeVisible = ViewModel.CurrentPage?.HasSearchBox ?? false;
@@ -509,34 +534,57 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
         }
         else
         {
-            _ = Task.Run(async () =>
-            {
-                await page.DispatcherQueue.EnqueueAsync(async () =>
+            _ = Task.Run(
+                async () =>
                 {
-                    // I hate this so much, but it can take a while for the page to be ready to accept focus;
-                    // focusing page with MarkdownTextBlock takes up to 5 attempts (* 100ms delay between attempts)
-                    for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++)
+                    if (token.IsCancellationRequested)
                     {
-                        if (FocusManager.FindFirstFocusableElement(page) is FrameworkElement frameworkElement)
-                        {
-                            var set = frameworkElement.Focus(FocusState.Programmatic);
-                            if (set)
-                            {
-                                break;
-                            }
-                        }
-
-                        await Task.Delay(100);
+                        return;
                     }
 
-                    // Update the search box visibility based on the current page:
-                    // - We do this here after navigation so the focus is not jumping around too much,
-                    //   it messes with screen readers if we do it too early
-                    // - Since this should hide the search box on content pages, it's not a problem if we
-                    //   wait for the code above to finish trying to focus the content
-                    ViewModel.IsSearchBoxVisible = ViewModel.CurrentPage?.HasSearchBox ?? false;
-                });
-            });
+                    try
+                    {
+                        await page.DispatcherQueue.EnqueueAsync(
+                            async () =>
+                            {
+                                // I hate this so much, but it can take a while for the page to be ready to accept focus;
+                                // focusing page with MarkdownTextBlock takes up to 5 attempts (* 100ms delay between attempts)
+                                for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++)
+                                {
+                                    token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+
+                                    if (FocusManager.FindFirstFocusableElement(page) is FrameworkElement frameworkElement)
+                                    {
+                                        var set = frameworkElement.Focus(FocusState.Programmatic);
+                                        if (set)
+                                        {
+                                            break;
+                                        }
+                                    }
+
+                                    await Task.Delay(100, token);
+                                }
+
+                                token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+
+                                // Update the search box visibility based on the current page:
+                                // - We do this here after navigation so the focus is not jumping around too much,
+                                //   it messes with screen readers if we do it too early
+                                // - Since this should hide the search box on content pages, it's not a problem if we
+                                //   wait for the code above to finish trying to focus the content
+                                ViewModel.IsSearchBoxVisible = ViewModel.CurrentPage?.HasSearchBox ?? false;
+                            });
+                    }
+                    catch (OperationCanceledException)
+                    {
+                        // Swallow cancellation - another FocusAfterLoaded invocation superseded this one
+                    }
+                    catch (Exception ex)
+                    {
+                        Logger.LogError("Error during FocusAfterLoaded async focus work", ex);
+                    }
+                },
+                token);
         }
     }
 
@@ -591,24 +639,31 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
                          InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.RightWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
 
         var onlyAlt = altPressed && !ctrlPressed && !shiftPressed && !winPressed;
-        if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Left && onlyAlt)
+        var onlyCtrl = !altPressed && ctrlPressed && !shiftPressed && !winPressed;
+        switch (e.Key)
         {
-            WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<NavigateBackMessage>(new());
-            e.Handled = true;
-        }
-        else if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Home && onlyAlt)
-        {
-            WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<GoHomeMessage>(new(WithAnimation: false));
-            e.Handled = true;
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            // The CommandBar is responsible for handling all the item keybindings,
-            // since the bound context item may need to then show another
-            // context menu
-            TryCommandKeybindingMessage msg = new(ctrlPressed, altPressed, shiftPressed, winPressed, e.Key);
-            WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send(msg);
-            e.Handled = msg.Handled;
+            case VirtualKey.Left when onlyAlt: // Alt+Left arrow
+                WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<NavigateBackMessage>(new());
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            case VirtualKey.Home when onlyAlt: // Alt+Home
+                WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<GoHomeMessage>(new(WithAnimation: false));
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            case (VirtualKey)188 when onlyCtrl: // Ctrl+,
+                WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<OpenSettingsMessage>(new());
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            default:
+            {
+                // The CommandBar is responsible for handling all the item keybindings,
+                // since the bound context item may need to then show another
+                // context menu
+                TryCommandKeybindingMessage msg = new(ctrlPressed, altPressed, shiftPressed, winPressed, e.Key);
+                WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send(msg);
+                e.Handled = msg.Handled;
+                break;
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -658,4 +713,11 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
             Logger.LogError("Error handling mouse button press event", ex);
         }
     }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        _focusAfterLoadedCts?.Cancel();
+        _focusAfterLoadedCts?.Dispose();
+        _focusAfterLoadedCts = null;
+    }
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Settings/SettingsWindow.xaml

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
     xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
     xmlns:local="using:Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Settings"
     xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
+    xmlns:text="using:Windows.UI.Text"
     xmlns:ui="using:CommunityToolkit.WinUI"
     xmlns:winuiex="using:WinUIEx"
     Title="SettingsWindow"
@@ -24,7 +25,10 @@
             <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
             <RowDefinition Height="*" />
         </Grid.RowDefinitions>
-        <TitleBar x:Name="AppTitleBar" PaneToggleRequested="AppTitleBar_PaneToggleRequested">
+        <TitleBar
+            x:Name="AppTitleBar"
+            IsTabStop="False"
+            PaneToggleRequested="AppTitleBar_PaneToggleRequested">
             <!--  This is a workaround for https://github.com/microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml/issues/10374, once fixed we should just be using IconSource  -->
             <TitleBar.LeftHeader>
                 <ImageIcon
@@ -73,14 +77,14 @@
                         ItemsSource="{x:Bind BreadCrumbs, Mode=OneWay}">
                         <BreadcrumbBar.ItemTemplate>
                             <DataTemplate x:DataType="local:Crumb">
-                                <TextBlock Text="{x:Bind Label, Mode=OneWay}" />
+                                <TextBlock Text="{x:Bind Label}" />
                             </DataTemplate>
                         </BreadcrumbBar.ItemTemplate>
                         <BreadcrumbBar.Resources>
                             <ResourceDictionary>
                                 <x:Double x:Key="BreadcrumbBarItemThemeFontSize">28</x:Double>
                                 <Thickness x:Key="BreadcrumbBarChevronPadding">7,4,8,0</Thickness>
-                                <FontWeight x:Key="BreadcrumbBarItemFontWeight">SemiBold</FontWeight>
+                                <text:FontWeight x:Key="BreadcrumbBarItemFontWeight">SemiBold</text:FontWeight>
                                 <x:Double x:Key="BreadcrumbBarChevronFontSize">16</x:Double>
                             </ResourceDictionary>
                         </BreadcrumbBar.Resources>

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Strings/en-us/Resources.resw

@@ -471,4 +471,7 @@ Right-click to remove the key combination, thereby deactivating the shortcut.</v
   <data name="ScreenReader_Announcement_NavigatedToPage0" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Navigated to {0} page</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="SettingsButton.[using:Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls]ToolTipService.ToolTip" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Settings (Ctrl+,)</value>
+  </data>
 </root>

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.Terminal.UI/Microsoft.Terminal.UI.vcxproj

@@ -74,35 +74,11 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpp20</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreadedDebug, rather than MultiThreadedDebugDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140d.dll and MSVCP140d.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrtd.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrtd.lib /profile /opt:ref /opt:icf</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">
     <ClCompile>
       <LanguageStandard>stdcpp20</LanguageStandard>
     </ClCompile>
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreaded, rather than MultiThreadedDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrt.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrt.lib /profile /opt:ref /opt:icf</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">

src/modules/cmdpal/Tests/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmarks.UnitTests/BookmarkManagerTests.cs

@@ -186,4 +186,48 @@ public class BookmarkManagerTests
         Assert.AreEqual("D:\\UpdatedPath", updatedBookmark.Bookmark);
         Assert.IsTrue(bookmarkUpdatedEventFired);
     }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void BookmarkManager_LegacyData_IdsArePersistedAcrossLoads()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        const string json = """
+                            {
+                                "Data": 
+                                [
+                                    { "Name": "C:\\","Bookmark": "C:\\" },
+                                    { "Name": "Bing.com","Bookmark": "https://bing.com" }
+                                ]
+                            }
+                            """;
+
+        var dataSource = new MockBookmarkDataSource(json);
+
+        // First load: IDs should be generated for legacy entries
+        var manager1 = new BookmarksManager(dataSource);
+        var firstLoad = manager1.Bookmarks.ToList();
+        Assert.AreEqual(2, firstLoad.Count);
+        Assert.AreNotEqual(Guid.Empty, firstLoad[0].Id);
+        Assert.AreNotEqual(Guid.Empty, firstLoad[1].Id);
+
+        // Keep a name->id map to be insensitive to ordering
+        var firstIdsByName = firstLoad.ToDictionary(b => b.Name, b => b.Id);
+
+        // Wait deterministically for async persistence to complete
+        var wasSaved = dataSource.WaitForSave(1, 5000);
+        Assert.IsTrue(wasSaved, "Data was not saved within the expected time.");
+
+        // Second load: should read back the same IDs from persisted data
+        var manager2 = new BookmarksManager(dataSource);
+        var secondLoad = manager2.Bookmarks.ToList();
+        Assert.AreEqual(2, secondLoad.Count);
+
+        var secondIdsByName = secondLoad.ToDictionary(b => b.Name, b => b.Id);
+
+        foreach (var kvp in firstIdsByName)
+        {
+            Assert.IsTrue(secondIdsByName.ContainsKey(kvp.Key), $"Missing bookmark '{kvp.Key}' after reload.");
+            Assert.AreEqual(kvp.Value, secondIdsByName[kvp.Key], $"Bookmark '{kvp.Key}' upgraded ID was not persisted across loads.");
+        }
+    }
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/Tests/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmarks.UnitTests/MockBookmarkDataSource.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
+using System.Threading;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmarks.Persistence;
 
 namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmarks.UnitTests;
@@ -9,6 +11,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmarks.UnitTests;
 internal sealed class MockBookmarkDataSource : IBookmarkDataSource
 {
     private string _jsonData;
+    private int _saveCount;
 
     public MockBookmarkDataSource(string initialJsonData = "[]")
     {
@@ -23,5 +26,26 @@ internal sealed class MockBookmarkDataSource : IBookmarkDataSource
     public void SaveBookmarkData(string jsonData)
     {
         _jsonData = jsonData;
+        Interlocked.Increment(ref _saveCount);
+    }
+
+    public int SaveCount => Volatile.Read(ref _saveCount);
+
+    // Waits until at least expectedMinSaves have occurred or the timeout elapses.
+    // Returns true if the condition was met, false on timeout.
+    public bool WaitForSave(int expectedMinSaves = 1, int timeoutMs = 2000)
+    {
+        var start = Environment.TickCount;
+        while (Volatile.Read(ref _saveCount) < expectedMinSaves)
+        {
+            if (Environment.TickCount - start > timeoutMs)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            Thread.Sleep(50);
+        }
+
+        return true;
     }
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/Tests/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker.UnitTests/Settings.cs

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ public class Settings : ISettingsInterface
     private readonly bool hideKillProcessOnElevatedProcesses;
     private readonly bool hideExplorerSettingInfo;
     private readonly bool inMruOrder;
+    private readonly bool useWindowIcon;
 
     public Settings(
         bool resultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly = false,
@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@ public class Settings : ISettingsInterface
         bool openAfterKillAndClose = false,
         bool hideKillProcessOnElevatedProcesses = false,
         bool hideExplorerSettingInfo = true,
-        bool inMruOrder = true)
+        bool inMruOrder = true,
+        bool useWindowIcon = true)
     {
         this.resultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly = resultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly;
         this.subtitleShowPid = subtitleShowPid;
@@ -38,6 +40,7 @@ public class Settings : ISettingsInterface
         this.hideKillProcessOnElevatedProcesses = hideKillProcessOnElevatedProcesses;
         this.hideExplorerSettingInfo = hideExplorerSettingInfo;
         this.inMruOrder = inMruOrder;
+        this.useWindowIcon = useWindowIcon;
     }
 
     public bool ResultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly => resultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly;
@@ -57,4 +60,6 @@ public class Settings : ISettingsInterface
     public bool HideExplorerSettingInfo => hideExplorerSettingInfo;
 
     public bool InMruOrder => inMruOrder;
+
+    public bool UseWindowIcon => useWindowIcon;
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/LocalSuppressions.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
+
+[assembly: SuppressMessage("Interoperability", "CsWinRT1028: Class should be marked partial", Justification = "CsWin32 generated code; not used across WinRT boundary", Scope = "type", Target = "~T:Windows.Win32.SysFreeStringSafeHandle")]

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmark/BookmarksManager.cs

@@ -103,7 +103,33 @@ internal sealed partial class BookmarksManager : IDisposable, IBookmarksManager
         try
         {
             var jsonData = _dataSource.GetBookmarkData();
-            _bookmarksData = _parser.ParseBookmarks(jsonData);
+            var bookmarksData = _parser.ParseBookmarks(jsonData);
+
+            // Upgrade old bookmarks if necessary
+            // Pre .95 versions did not assign IDs to bookmarks
+            var upgraded = false;
+            for (var index = 0; index < bookmarksData.Data.Count; index++)
+            {
+                var bookmark = bookmarksData.Data[index];
+                if (bookmark.Id == Guid.Empty)
+                {
+                    bookmarksData.Data[index] = bookmark with { Id = Guid.NewGuid() };
+                    upgraded = true;
+                }
+            }
+
+            lock (_lock)
+            {
+                _bookmarksData = bookmarksData;
+            }
+
+            // LOAD BEARING: Save upgraded data back to file
+            // This ensures that old bookmarks are not repeatedly upgraded on each load,
+            // as the hotkeys and aliases are tied to the generated bookmark IDs.
+            if (upgraded)
+            {
+                _ = SaveChangesAsync();
+            }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Bookmark/Persistence/BookmarkData.cs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ public sealed record BookmarkData
     [SetsRequiredMembers]
     public BookmarkData(Guid id, string? name, string? bookmark)
     {
-        Id = id == Guid.Empty ? Guid.NewGuid() : id;
+        Id = id;
         Name = name ?? string.Empty;
         Bookmark = bookmark ?? string.Empty;
     }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory/Properties/Resources.Designer.cs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory.Properties {
     // class via a tool like ResGen or Visual Studio.
     // To add or remove a member, edit your .ResX file then rerun ResGen
     // with the /str option, or rebuild your VS project.
-    [global::System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCodeAttribute("System.Resources.Tools.StronglyTypedResourceBuilder", "17.0.0.0")]
+    [global::System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCodeAttribute("System.Resources.Tools.StronglyTypedResourceBuilder", "18.0.0.0")]
     [global::System.Diagnostics.DebuggerNonUserCodeAttribute()]
     [global::System.Runtime.CompilerServices.CompilerGeneratedAttribute()]
     public class Resources {
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory.Properties {
         }
         
         /// <summary>
-        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to .
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Show a confirmation dialog when manually deleting an item.
         /// </summary>
         public static string settings_confirm_delete_description {
             get {
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory.Properties {
         }
         
         /// <summary>
-        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Show a confirmation dialog when manually deleting an item.
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Ask for confirmation before deleting items.
         /// </summary>
         public static string settings_confirm_delete_title {
             get {
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory.Properties {
         }
         
         /// <summary>
-        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to .
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Keep items in clipboard history after pasting.
         /// </summary>
         public static string settings_keep_after_paste_description {
             get {
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory.Properties {
         }
         
         /// <summary>
-        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Keep items in clipboard history after pasting.
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Keep items after pasting.
         /// </summary>
         public static string settings_keep_after_paste_title {
             get {

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory/Properties/Resources.resx

@@ -151,16 +151,16 @@
     <value>Deleted from clipboard history</value>
   </data>
   <data name="settings_keep_after_paste_description" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value />
-  </data>
-  <data name="settings_keep_after_paste_title" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Keep items in clipboard history after pasting</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="settings_keep_after_paste_title" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Keep items after pasting</value>
+  </data>
   <data name="settings_confirm_delete_title" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value>Show a confirmation dialog when manually deleting an item</value>
+    <value>Ask for confirmation before deleting items</value>
   </data>
   <data name="settings_confirm_delete_description" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value />
+    <value>Show a confirmation dialog when manually deleting an item</value>
   </data>
   <data name="delete_confirmation_title" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Delete item?</value>

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer/Icons.cs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;
 
 namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer;
 
-internal sealed class Icons
+internal static class Icons
 {
     internal static IconInfo FileExplorerSegoeIcon { get; } = new("\uEC50");
 
@@ -19,4 +19,8 @@ internal sealed class Icons
     internal static IconInfo DocumentIcon { get; } = new("\uE8A5"); // Document
 
     internal static IconInfo FolderOpenIcon { get; } = new("\uE838"); // FolderOpen
+
+    internal static IconInfo FilesIcon { get; } = new("\uF571"); // PrintAllPages
+
+    internal static IconInfo FilterIcon { get; } = new("\uE71C"); // Filter
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer/Indexer/SearchFilters.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer.Properties;
+using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions;
+using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;
+
+namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer.Indexer;
+
+internal sealed partial class SearchFilters : Filters
+{
+    public SearchFilters()
+    {
+        CurrentFilterId = "all";
+    }
+
+    public override IFilterItem[] GetFilters()
+    {
+        return [
+            new Filter() { Id = "all", Name = Resources.Indexer_Filter_All, Icon = Icons.FilterIcon },
+            new Separator(),
+            new Filter() { Id = "folders", Name = Resources.Indexer_Filter_Folders_Only, Icon = Icons.FolderOpenIcon },
+            new Filter() { Id = "files", Name = Resources.Indexer_Filter_Files_Only, Icon = Icons.FilesIcon },
+        ];
+    }
+}

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer/Pages/IndexerPage.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Globalization;
 using System.Text.Encodings.Web;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer.Indexer;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer.Properties;
 using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions;
 using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;
@@ -36,6 +37,11 @@ internal sealed partial class IndexerPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
         PlaceholderText = Resources.Indexer_PlaceholderText;
         _searchEngine = new();
         _queryCookie = 10;
+
+        var filters = new SearchFilters();
+        filters.PropChanged += Filters_PropChanged;
+        Filters = filters;
+
         CreateEmptyContent();
     }
 
@@ -49,6 +55,11 @@ internal sealed partial class IndexerPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
         initialQuery = query;
         SearchText = query;
         disposeSearchEngine = false;
+
+        var filters = new SearchFilters();
+        filters.PropChanged += Filters_PropChanged;
+        Filters = filters;
+
         CreateEmptyContent();
     }
 
@@ -79,30 +90,56 @@ internal sealed partial class IndexerPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
     {
         // {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} is CLSID for "This PC"
         const string template = "search-ms:query={0}&crumb=location:::{{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}}";
-        var encodedSearchText = UrlEncoder.Default.Encode(SearchText);
+        var fullSearchText = FullSearchString(SearchText);
+        var encodedSearchText = UrlEncoder.Default.Encode(fullSearchText);
         var command = string.Format(CultureInfo.CurrentCulture, template, encodedSearchText);
         ShellHelpers.OpenInShell(command);
     }
 
     public override ICommandItem EmptyContent => _isEmptyQuery ? _noSearchEmptyContent : _nothingFoundEmptyContent;
 
+    private void Filters_PropChanged(object sender, IPropChangedEventArgs args)
+    {
+        PerformSearch(SearchText);
+    }
+
     public override void UpdateSearchText(string oldSearch, string newSearch)
     {
         if (oldSearch != newSearch && newSearch != initialQuery)
         {
-            _ = Task.Run(() =>
-            {
-                _isEmptyQuery = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(newSearch);
-                Query(newSearch);
-                LoadMore();
-                OnPropertyChanged(nameof(EmptyContent));
-                initialQuery = null;
-            });
+            PerformSearch(newSearch);
         }
     }
 
+    private void PerformSearch(string newSearch)
+    {
+        var actualSearch = FullSearchString(newSearch);
+        _ = Task.Run(() =>
+        {
+            _isEmptyQuery = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(actualSearch);
+            Query(actualSearch);
+            LoadMore();
+            OnPropertyChanged(nameof(EmptyContent));
+            initialQuery = null;
+        });
+    }
+
     public override IListItem[] GetItems() => [.. _indexerListItems];
 
+    private string FullSearchString(string query)
+    {
+        switch (Filters.CurrentFilterId)
+        {
+            case "folders":
+                return $"{query} kind:folders";
+            case "files":
+                return $"{query} kind:NOT folders";
+            case "all":
+            default:
+                return query;
+        }
+    }
+
     public override void LoadMore()
     {
         IsLoading = true;

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer/Properties/Resources.Designer.cs

@@ -177,6 +177,33 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer.Properties {
             }
         }
         
+        /// <summary>
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Files and folders.
+        /// </summary>
+        internal static string Indexer_Filter_All {
+            get {
+                return ResourceManager.GetString("Indexer_Filter_All", resourceCulture);
+            }
+        }
+        
+        /// <summary>
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Files.
+        /// </summary>
+        internal static string Indexer_Filter_Files_Only {
+            get {
+                return ResourceManager.GetString("Indexer_Filter_Files_Only", resourceCulture);
+            }
+        }
+        
+        /// <summary>
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Folders.
+        /// </summary>
+        internal static string Indexer_Filter_Folders_Only {
+            get {
+                return ResourceManager.GetString("Indexer_Filter_Folders_Only", resourceCulture);
+            }
+        }
+        
         /// <summary>
         ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Find file from path.
         /// </summary>

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Indexer/Properties/Resources.resx

@@ -196,4 +196,13 @@ You can try searching all files on this PC or adjust your indexing settings.</va
   <data name="Indexer_Command_SearchAllFiles" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Search all files</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="Indexer_Filter_All" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Files and folders</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Indexer_Filter_Folders_Only" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Folders</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Indexer_Filter_Files_Only" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Files</value>
+  </data>
 </root>

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Shell/LocalSuppressions.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
+
+[assembly: SuppressMessage("Interoperability", "CsWinRT1028: Class should be marked partial", Justification = "CsWin32 generated code; not used across WinRT boundary", Scope = "type", Target = "~T:Windows.Win32.LocalFreeSafeHandle")]

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.System/Helpers/NetworkConnectionProperties.cs

@@ -27,6 +27,14 @@ internal sealed class NetworkConnectionProperties
     /// <seealso cref="https://github.com/xoofx/markdig/blob/master/src/Markdig/Extensions/Emoji/EmojiMapping.cs"/>
     private const int GreenCircleCharacter = 128994;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Decimal unicode value for green circle emoji.
+    /// We need to generate it in the code because it does not render using Markdown emoji syntax or Unicode character syntax.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <seealso cref="https://github.com/CommunityToolkit/Labs-Windows/blob/main/components/MarkdownTextBlock/samples/MarkdownTextBlock.md"/>
+    /// <seealso cref="https://github.com/xoofx/markdig/blob/master/src/Markdig/Extensions/Emoji/EmojiMapping.cs"/>
+    private const int RedCircleCharacter = 128308;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets the name of the adapter
     /// </summary>
@@ -170,7 +178,7 @@ internal sealed class NetworkConnectionProperties
     internal string GetAdapterDetails()
     {
         return $"**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_AdapterName}:** {Adapter}" +
-            $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_State}:** " + (State == OperationalStatus.Up ? char.ConvertFromUtf32(GreenCircleCharacter) + " " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Connected : ":red_circle: " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Disconnected) +
+            $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_State}:** " + (State == OperationalStatus.Up ? char.ConvertFromUtf32(GreenCircleCharacter) + " " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Connected : char.ConvertFromUtf32(RedCircleCharacter) + " " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Disconnected) +
             $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_PhysicalAddress}:** {PhysicalAddress}" +
             $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Speed}:** {GetFormattedSpeedValue(Speed)}" +
             $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Type}:** {GetAdapterTypeAsString(Type)}" +
@@ -184,7 +192,7 @@ internal sealed class NetworkConnectionProperties
     internal string GetConnectionDetails()
     {
         return $"**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_ConnectionName}:** {ConnectionName}" +
-            $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_State}:** " + (State == OperationalStatus.Up ? char.ConvertFromUtf32(GreenCircleCharacter) + " " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Connected : ":red_circle: " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Disconnected) +
+            $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_State}:** " + (State == OperationalStatus.Up ? char.ConvertFromUtf32(GreenCircleCharacter) + " " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Connected : char.ConvertFromUtf32(RedCircleCharacter) + " " + Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Disconnected) +
             $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Type}:** {GetAdapterTypeAsString(Type)}" +
             $"\n\n**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Suffix}:** {Suffix}" +
             CreateIpInfoForDetailsText($"**{Resources.Microsoft_plugin_sys_Ip4Address}:** ", IPv4) +

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WinGet/Pages/WinGetExtensionPage.cs

@@ -28,9 +28,10 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
     public bool HasTag => !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_tag);
 
     private readonly Lock _resultsLock = new();
+    private readonly Lock _taskLock = new();
 
-    private CancellationTokenSource? _cancellationTokenSource;
-    private Task<IEnumerable<CatalogPackage>>? _currentSearchTask;
+    private string? _nextSearchQuery;
+    private bool _isTaskRunning;
 
     private List<CatalogPackage>? _results;
 
@@ -85,7 +86,6 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
 
                 stopwatch.Stop();
                 Logger.LogDebug($"Building ListItems took {stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds}ms", memberName: nameof(GetItems));
-                IsLoading = false;
                 return results;
             }
         }
@@ -98,8 +98,6 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
                             Properties.Resources.winget_no_packages_found,
         };
 
-        IsLoading = false;
-
         return [];
     }
 
@@ -117,64 +115,70 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
 
     private void DoUpdateSearchText(string newSearch)
     {
-        // Cancel any ongoing search
-        if (_cancellationTokenSource is not null)
+        lock (_taskLock)
         {
-            Logger.LogDebug("Cancelling old search", memberName: nameof(DoUpdateSearchText));
-            _cancellationTokenSource.Cancel();
-        }
-
-        _cancellationTokenSource = new CancellationTokenSource();
-
-        var cancellationToken = _cancellationTokenSource.Token;
-
-        IsLoading = true;
-
-        try
-        {
-            // Save the latest search task
-            _currentSearchTask = DoSearchAsync(newSearch, cancellationToken);
-        }
-        catch (OperationCanceledException)
-        {
-            // DO NOTHING HERE
-            return;
-        }
-        catch (Exception ex)
-        {
-            // Handle other exceptions
-            ExtensionHost.LogMessage($"[WinGet] DoUpdateSearchText throw exception: {ex.Message}");
-            return;
-        }
-
-        // Await the task to ensure only the latest one gets processed
-        _ = ProcessSearchResultsAsync(_currentSearchTask, newSearch);
-    }
-
-    private async Task ProcessSearchResultsAsync(
-        Task<IEnumerable<CatalogPackage>> searchTask,
-        string newSearch)
-    {
-        try
-        {
-            var results = await searchTask;
-
-            // Ensure this is still the latest task
-            if (_currentSearchTask == searchTask)
+            if (_isTaskRunning)
             {
-                // Process the results (e.g., update UI)
-                UpdateWithResults(results, newSearch);
+                // If a task is running, queue the next search query
+                // Keep IsLoading = true since we still have work to do
+                Logger.LogDebug($"Task is running, queueing next search: '{newSearch}'", memberName: nameof(DoUpdateSearchText));
+                _nextSearchQuery = newSearch;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // No task is running, start a new search
+                Logger.LogDebug($"Starting new search: '{newSearch}'", memberName: nameof(DoUpdateSearchText));
+                _isTaskRunning = true;
+                _nextSearchQuery = null;
+                IsLoading = true;
+
+                _ = ExecuteSearchChainAsync(newSearch);
             }
         }
-        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+    }
+
+    private async Task ExecuteSearchChainAsync(string query)
+    {
+        while (true)
         {
-            // Handle cancellation gracefully (e.g., log or ignore)
-            Logger.LogDebug($"  Cancelled search for '{newSearch}'");
-        }
-        catch (Exception ex)
-        {
-            // Handle other exceptions
-            Logger.LogError("Unexpected error while processing results", ex);
+            try
+            {
+                Logger.LogDebug($"Executing search for '{query}'", memberName: nameof(ExecuteSearchChainAsync));
+
+                var results = await DoSearchAsync(query);
+
+                // Update UI with results
+                UpdateWithResults(results, query);
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Logger.LogError($"Unexpected error while searching for '{query}'", ex);
+            }
+
+            // Check if there's a next query to process
+            string? nextQuery;
+            lock (_taskLock)
+            {
+                if (_nextSearchQuery is not null)
+                {
+                    // There's a queued search, execute it
+                    nextQuery = _nextSearchQuery;
+                    _nextSearchQuery = null;
+
+                    Logger.LogDebug($"Found queued search, continuing with: '{nextQuery}'", memberName: nameof(ExecuteSearchChainAsync));
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    // No more searches queued, mark task as completed
+                    _isTaskRunning = false;
+                    IsLoading = false;
+                    Logger.LogDebug("No more queued searches, task chain completed", memberName: nameof(ExecuteSearchChainAsync));
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Continue with the next query
+            query = nextQuery;
         }
     }
 
@@ -189,11 +193,8 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
         RaiseItemsChanged();
     }
 
-    private async Task<IEnumerable<CatalogPackage>> DoSearchAsync(string query, CancellationToken ct)
+    private async Task<IEnumerable<CatalogPackage>> DoSearchAsync(string query)
     {
-        // Were we already canceled?
-        ct.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
-
         Stopwatch stopwatch = new();
         stopwatch.Start();
 
@@ -230,9 +231,6 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
             opts.Filters.Add(tagFilter);
         }
 
-        // Clean up here, then...
-        ct.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
-
         var catalogTask = HasTag ? WinGetStatics.CompositeWingetCatalog : WinGetStatics.CompositeAllCatalog;
 
         // Both these catalogs should have been instantiated by the
@@ -251,13 +249,11 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
             findPackages_stopwatch.Start();
             Logger.LogDebug($"  Searching {catalog.Info.Name} ({query})", memberName: nameof(DoSearchAsync));
 
-            ct.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
-
             Logger.LogDebug($"Preface for \"{searchDebugText}\" took {stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds}ms", memberName: nameof(DoSearchAsync));
 
             // BODGY, re: microsoft/winget-cli#5151
             // FindPackagesAsync isn't actually async.
-            var internalSearchTask = Task.Run(() => catalog.FindPackages(opts), ct);
+            var internalSearchTask = Task.Run(() => catalog.FindPackages(opts));
             var searchResults = await internalSearchTask;
 
             findPackages_stopwatch.Stop();
@@ -271,8 +267,6 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
                 return [];
             }
 
-            ct.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
-
             Logger.LogDebug($"    got results for ({query})", memberName: nameof(DoSearchAsync));
 
             // FYI Using .ToArray or any other kind of enumerable loop
@@ -282,8 +276,6 @@ internal sealed partial class WinGetExtensionPage : DynamicListPage, IDisposable
             {
                 var match = searchResults.Matches[i];
 
-                ct.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
-
                 var package = match.CatalogPackage;
                 results.Add(package);
             }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Commands/SwitchToWindowCommand.cs

@@ -2,11 +2,16 @@
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
 using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.Drawing;
+using System.IO;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker.Components;
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker.Properties;
 using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions;
 using Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;
+using Windows.Storage.Streams;
 
 namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker.Commands;
 
@@ -16,20 +21,53 @@ internal sealed partial class SwitchToWindowCommand : InvokableCommand
 
     public SwitchToWindowCommand(Window? window)
     {
+        Icon = Icons.GenericAppIcon; // Fallback to default icon
         Name = Resources.switch_to_command_title;
         _window = window;
         if (_window is not null)
         {
-            var p = Process.GetProcessById((int)_window.Process.ProcessID);
-            if (p is not null)
+            // Use window icon
+            if (SettingsManager.Instance.UseWindowIcon)
             {
-                try
+                if (_window.TryGetWindowIcon(out var icon) && icon is not null)
                 {
-                    var processFileName = p.MainModule?.FileName;
-                    Icon = new IconInfo(processFileName);
+                    try
+                    {
+                        using var bitmap = icon.ToBitmap();
+                        using var memoryStream = new MemoryStream();
+                        bitmap.Save(memoryStream, System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png);
+                        var raStream = new InMemoryRandomAccessStream();
+                        using var outputStream = raStream.GetOutputStreamAt(0);
+                        using var dataWriter = new DataWriter(outputStream);
+                        dataWriter.WriteBytes(memoryStream.ToArray());
+                        dataWriter.StoreAsync().AsTask().Wait();
+                        dataWriter.FlushAsync().AsTask().Wait();
+                        Icon = IconInfo.FromStream(raStream);
+                    }
+                    catch
+                    {
+                    }
+                    finally
+                    {
+                        icon.Dispose();
+                    }
                 }
-                catch
+            }
+
+            // Use process icon
+            else
+            {
+                var p = Process.GetProcessById((int)_window.Process.ProcessID);
+                if (p is not null)
                 {
+                    try
+                    {
+                        var processFileName = p.MainModule?.FileName;
+                        Icon = new IconInfo(processFileName);
+                    }
+                    catch
+                    {
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Components/Window.cs

@@ -188,6 +188,62 @@ internal sealed class Window
         thread.Start();
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Tries to get the window icon.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="icon">The window icon if found; otherwise, null.</param>
+    /// <returns>True if an icon was found; otherwise, false.</returns>
+    internal bool TryGetWindowIcon(out System.Drawing.Icon? icon)
+    {
+        icon = null;
+
+        if (hwnd == IntPtr.Zero)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        // Try WM_GETICON with SendMessageTimeout
+        if (NativeMethods.SendMessageTimeout(hwnd, Win32Constants.WM_GETICON, (UIntPtr)Win32Constants.ICON_BIG, IntPtr.Zero, Win32Constants.SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 100, out var result) != 0 && result != 0)
+        {
+            icon = System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle((IntPtr)result);
+            NativeMethods.DestroyIcon((IntPtr)result);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (NativeMethods.SendMessageTimeout(hwnd, Win32Constants.WM_GETICON, (UIntPtr)Win32Constants.ICON_SMALL, IntPtr.Zero, Win32Constants.SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 100, out result) != 0 && result != 0)
+        {
+            icon = System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle((IntPtr)result);
+            NativeMethods.DestroyIcon((IntPtr)result);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (NativeMethods.SendMessageTimeout(hwnd, Win32Constants.WM_GETICON, (UIntPtr)Win32Constants.ICON_SMALL2, IntPtr.Zero, Win32Constants.SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG, 100, out result) != 0 && result != 0)
+        {
+            icon = System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle((IntPtr)result);
+            NativeMethods.DestroyIcon((IntPtr)result);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        // Fallback to GetClassLongPtr
+        var iconHandle = NativeMethods.GetClassLongPtr(hwnd, Win32Constants.GCLP_HICON);
+        if (iconHandle != IntPtr.Zero)
+        {
+            icon = System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle(iconHandle);
+            NativeMethods.DestroyIcon((IntPtr)iconHandle);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        iconHandle = NativeMethods.GetClassLongPtr(hwnd, Win32Constants.GCLP_HICONSM);
+        if (iconHandle != IntPtr.Zero)
+        {
+            icon = System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle(iconHandle);
+            NativeMethods.DestroyIcon((IntPtr)iconHandle);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Converts the window name to string along with the process name
     /// </summary>

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Helpers/ISettingsInterface.cs

@@ -23,4 +23,6 @@ public interface ISettingsInterface
     public bool HideExplorerSettingInfo { get; }
 
     public bool InMruOrder { get; }
+
+    public bool UseWindowIcon { get; }
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Helpers/NativeMethods.cs

@@ -84,6 +84,12 @@ public static partial class NativeMethods
     [DllImport("user32.dll")]
     public static extern int SendMessageTimeout(IntPtr hWnd, uint msg, UIntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, int fuFlags, int uTimeout, out int lpdwResult);
 
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", EntryPoint = "GetClassLongPtr")]
+    public static extern IntPtr GetClassLongPtr(IntPtr hWnd, int nIndex);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Unicode)]
+    internal static extern bool DestroyIcon(IntPtr hIcon);
+
     [DllImport("kernel32.dll")]
     [return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
     public static extern bool CloseHandle(IntPtr hObject);
@@ -143,6 +149,41 @@ public static class Win32Constants
     /// </summary>
     public const int SC_CLOSE = 0xF060;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sent to a window to retrieve a handle to the large or small icon associated with a window.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const uint WM_GETICON = 0x007F;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Retrieve the large icon for the window.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const int ICON_BIG = 1;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Retrieve the small icon for the window.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const int ICON_SMALL = 0;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Retrieve the small icon provided by the application.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const int ICON_SMALL2 = 2;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The function returns if the receiving thread does not respond within the timeout period.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const int SMTO_ABORTIFHUNG = 0x0002;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Retrieves a handle to the icon associated with the class.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const int GCLP_HICON = -14;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Retrieves a handle to the small icon associated with the class.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const int GCLP_HICONSM = -34;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// RPC call succeeded
     /// </summary>

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Helpers/SettingsManager.cs

@@ -70,6 +70,12 @@ public class SettingsManager : JsonSettingsManager, ISettingsInterface
         Resources.windowwalker_SettingInMruOrder_Description,
         true);
 
+    private readonly ToggleSetting _useWindowIcon = new(
+        Namespaced(nameof(UseWindowIcon)),
+        Resources.windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon,
+        Resources.windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon_Description,
+        true);
+
     public bool ResultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly => _resultsFromVisibleDesktopOnly.Value;
 
     public bool SubtitleShowPid => _subtitleShowPid.Value;
@@ -88,6 +94,8 @@ public class SettingsManager : JsonSettingsManager, ISettingsInterface
 
     public bool InMruOrder => _inMruOrder.Value;
 
+    public bool UseWindowIcon => _useWindowIcon.Value;
+
     internal static string SettingsJsonPath()
     {
         var directory = Utilities.BaseSettingsPath("Microsoft.CmdPal");
@@ -110,6 +118,7 @@ public class SettingsManager : JsonSettingsManager, ISettingsInterface
         Settings.Add(_hideKillProcessOnElevatedProcesses);
         Settings.Add(_hideExplorerSettingInfo);
         Settings.Add(_inMruOrder);
+        Settings.Add(_useWindowIcon);
 
         // Load settings from file upon initialization
         LoadSettings();

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Icons.cs

@@ -15,4 +15,6 @@ internal sealed class Icons
     internal static IconInfo CloseWindow { get; } = new IconInfo("\uE894"); // Clear
 
     internal static IconInfo Info { get; } = new IconInfo("\uE946"); // Info
+
+    internal static IconInfo GenericAppIcon { get; } = new("\uE737"); // Favicon
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Properties/Resources.Designer.cs

@@ -401,5 +401,23 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker.Properties {
                 return ResourceManager.GetString("windowwalker_SettingTagPid", resourceCulture);
             }
         }
+        
+        /// <summary>
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Use window icons.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static string windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon {
+            get {
+                return ResourceManager.GetString("windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon", resourceCulture);
+            }
+        }
+        
+        /// <summary>
+        ///   Looks up a localized string similar to Show the actual window icon instead of the process icon.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static string windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon_Description {
+            get {
+                return ResourceManager.GetString("windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon_Description", resourceCulture);
+            }
+        }
     }
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.WindowWalker/Properties/Resources.resx

@@ -235,4 +235,10 @@
   <data name="windowwalker_NoResultsMessage" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>No open windows found</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Use window icons</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="windowwalker_SettingUseWindowIcon_Description" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Show the actual window icon instead of the process icon</value>
+  </data>
 </root>

src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.vcxproj

@@ -68,34 +68,6 @@
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <LinkIncremental>false</LinkIncremental>
   </PropertyGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreadedDebug, rather than MultiThreadedDebugDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140d.dll and MSVCP140d.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrtd.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrtd.lib /profile /opt:ref /opt:icf</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">
-    <ClCompile>
-      <!-- We use MultiThreaded, rather than MultiThreadedDLL, to avoid DLL dependencies on VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll. -->
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
-    </ClCompile>
-    <Link>
-      <!-- Link statically against the runtime and STL, but link dynamically against the CRT by ignoring the static CRT
-           lib and instead linking against the Universal CRT DLL import library. This "hybrid" linking mechanism is
-           supported according to the CRT maintainer. Dynamic linking against the CRT makes the binaries a bit smaller
-           than they would otherwise be if the CRT, runtime, and STL were all statically linked in. -->
-      <IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>%(IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries);libucrt.lib</IgnoreSpecificDefaultLibraries>
-      <AdditionalOptions>%(AdditionalOptions) /defaultlib:ucrt.lib /profile /opt:ref /opt:icf</AdditionalOptions>
-    </Link>
-  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
   </ImportGroup>

src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZones/FancyZones.vcxproj

@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -37,7 +36,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>false</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>

src/modules/imageresizer/ui/ImageResizerUI.csproj

@@ -24,6 +24,14 @@
     <ApplicationIcon>Resources\ImageResizer.ico</ApplicationIcon>
   </PropertyGroup>
 
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <ApplicationManifest>ImageResizerUI.dev.manifest</ApplicationManifest>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(CIBuild)'=='true'">
+    <ApplicationManifest>ImageResizerUI.prod.manifest</ApplicationManifest>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
   <ItemGroup>
     <EmbeddedResource Update="Properties\Resources.resx">
       <Generator>PublicResXFileCodeGenerator</Generator>
@@ -55,4 +63,14 @@
       <DependentUpon>Resources.resx</DependentUpon>
     </Compile>
   </ItemGroup>
+  
+  <!-- Ensure Resources directory and ImageResizer.png are available for dependent projects -->
+  <Target Name="CopyResourcesToSharedLocation" AfterTargets="Build">
+    <ItemGroup>
+      <ResourceFiles Include="$(MSBuildProjectDirectory)\Resources\ImageResizer.png" />
+    </ItemGroup>
+    <MakeDir Directories="$(OutputPath)Resources" Condition="!Exists('$(OutputPath)Resources')" />
+    <Copy SourceFiles="@(ResourceFiles)" DestinationFolder="$(OutputPath)Resources" SkipUnchangedFiles="true" />
+  </Target>
+
 </Project>

src/modules/imageresizer/ui/ImageResizerUI.dev.manifest

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<assembly manifestVersion="1.0" xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
+  <assemblyIdentity version="1.0.0.0" name="PowerToys.ImageResizer.app" />
+  <msix xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:msix.v1"
+        publisher="CN=PowerToys Dev, O=PowerToys, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US"
+        packageName="Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp"
+        applicationId="PowerToys.ImageResizerUI" />
+</assembly>

src/modules/imageresizer/ui/ImageResizerUI.prod.manifest

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<assembly manifestVersion="1.0" xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
+  <assemblyIdentity version="1.0.0.0" name="PowerToys.ImageResizer.app" />
+  <msix xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:msix.v1"
+        publisher="CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US"
+        packageName="Microsoft.PowerToys.SparseApp"
+        applicationId="PowerToys.ImageResizerUI" />
+</assembly>

src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEditor/KeyboardManagerEditor.vcxproj

@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>true</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
@@ -41,7 +40,6 @@
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <Optimization>MaxSpeed</Optimization>
       <SDLCheck>false</SDLCheck>
-      <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <FunctionLevelLinking>true</FunctionLevelLinking>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
     </ClCompile>