fix: improve comment wording for spell check

feat(cmdpal): implement ActionRunner for elevated process execution
2026-01-29 15:36:57 +01:00 · 2026-01-27 19:20:57 -08:00 · 2026-01-27 19:10:21 -08:00
179 changed files with 1076 additions and 2232 deletions
--- a/.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt
+++ b/.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt
@@ -1019,6 +1019,7 @@ MENUITEMINFO
 MENUITEMINFOW
 MERGECOPY
 MERGEPAINT
+Metacharacter
 metadatamatters
 Metadatas
 metafile
--- a/.pipelines/v2/oneFuzz.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/oneFuzz.yml
@@ -35,9 +35,7 @@ stages:
            ${{ else }}:
              name: SHINE-OSS-L
            ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
-              demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Preview
-            ${{ else }}:
-              demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Latest
+              demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
          buildPlatforms:
            - ${{ parameters.platform }}
          buildConfigurations: [Release]
--- a/.pipelines/v2/release.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/release.yml
@@ -51,9 +51,7 @@ extends:
    pool:
      name: SHINE-INT-S
      ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
-        demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Preview
-      ${{ else }}:
-        demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Latest
+        demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
      os: windows
    sdl:
      tsa:
@@ -76,9 +74,7 @@ extends:
                demands:
                  # Our INT agents have a large disk mounted at P:\
                  - ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
-                    - ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Latest-Preview
-                  - ${{ else }}:
-                    - ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Latest
+                    - ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
                os: windows
              variables:
                IsPipeline: 1 # The installer uses this to detect whether it should pick up localizations
--- a/.pipelines/v2/templates/job-build-project.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/templates/job-build-project.yml
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ jobs:
      displayName: Build PowerToys main project
    inputs:
      solution: 'PowerToys.slnx'
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        -restore -graph
        /p:RestorePackagesConfig=true
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ jobs:
    condition: and(succeeded(), eq(variables['BuildPlatform'], 'arm64'))
    inputs:
      solution: PowerToys.slnx
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        -restore
        /p:Configuration=$(BuildConfiguration)
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ jobs:
    displayName: Build BugReportTool
    inputs:
      solution: '**/tools/BugReportTool/BugReportTool.sln'
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        -restore -graph
        /p:RestorePackagesConfig=true
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ jobs:
    displayName: Build StylesReportTool
    inputs:
      solution: '**/tools/StylesReportTool/StylesReportTool.sln'
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        -restore -graph
        /p:RestorePackagesConfig=true
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ jobs:
      displayName: Publish ${{ project }} for Packaging
      inputs:
        solution: ${{ project }}
-        vsVersion: 18.0
+        vsVersion: 17.0
        msbuildArgs: >-
          /target:Publish
          /graph
--- a/.pipelines/v2/templates/job-build-ui-tests.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/templates/job-build-ui-tests.yml
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ jobs:
      displayName: Build UI Test Projects
      inputs:
        solution: '**/*UITest*.csproj'
-        vsVersion: 18.0
+        vsVersion: 17.0
        msbuildArgs: >-
          -restore
          -graph
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ jobs:
        displayName: 'Build UI Test Module: ${{ module }}'
        inputs:
          solution: '**/*${{ module }}*.csproj'
-          vsVersion: 18.0
+          vsVersion: 17.0
          msbuildArgs: >-
            -restore
            -graph
--- a/.pipelines/v2/templates/pipeline-ci-build.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/templates/pipeline-ci-build.yml
@@ -49,9 +49,7 @@ stages:
              ${{ else }}:
                name: SHINE-OSS-L
              ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
-                demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Preview
-              ${{ else }}:
-                demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Latest
+                demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
            buildPlatforms:
              - ${{ platform }}
            buildConfigurations: [Release]
--- a/.pipelines/v2/templates/pipeline-ui-tests-full-build.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/templates/pipeline-ui-tests-full-build.yml
@@ -29,9 +29,7 @@ stages:
            ${{ else }}:
              name: SHINE-OSS-L
            ${{ if eq(parameters.useVSPreview, true) }}:
-              demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Preview
-            ${{ else }}:
-              demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS18-Latest
+              demands: ImageOverride -equals SHINE-VS17-Preview
          buildPlatforms:
            - ${{ parameters.platform }}
          buildConfigurations: [Release]
--- a/.pipelines/v2/templates/steps-build-installer-vnext.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/templates/steps-build-installer-vnext.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ steps:
    displayName: Build Shared Support DLLs
    inputs:
      solution: "**/installer/PowerToysSetup.slnx"
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        /t:PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext;SilentFilesInUseBAFunction
        /p:RunBuildEvents=true;RestorePackagesConfig=true;CIBuild=true
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ steps:
    displayName: 💻 Build VNext MSI
    inputs:
      solution: "**/installer/PowerToysSetup.slnx"
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        -restore
        /t:PowerToysInstallerVNext
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ steps:
    displayName: 👤 Build VNext MSI
    inputs:
      solution: "**/installer/PowerToysSetup.slnx"
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        /t:PowerToysInstallerVNext
        /p:RunBuildEvents=false;PerUser=true;BuildProjectReferences=false;CIBuild=true
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ steps:
    displayName: 💻 Build VNext Bootstrapper
    inputs:
      solution: "**/installer/PowerToysSetup.slnx"
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        -restore
        /t:PowerToysBootstrapperVNext
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ steps:
    displayName: 👤 Build VNext Bootstrapper
    inputs:
      solution: "**/installer/PowerToysSetup.slnx"
-      vsVersion: 18.0
+      vsVersion: 17.0
      msbuildArgs: >-
        /t:PowerToysBootstrapperVNext
        /p:PerUser=true;BuildProjectReferences=false;CIBuild=true
--- a/.pipelines/verifyAndSetLatestVCToolsVersion.ps1
+++ b/.pipelines/verifyAndSetLatestVCToolsVersion.ps1
@@ -1,16 +1,9 @@
-# Build common vswhere base arguments
-$vsWhereBaseArgs = @('-latest', '-requires', 'Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Tools.x86.x64')
-if ($env:VCWhereExtraVersionTarget) {
-    # Add version target if specified (e.g., '-version [18.0,19.0)' for VS2026)
-    $vsWhereBaseArgs += $env:VCWhereExtraVersionTarget.Split(' ')
-}
-
-$VSInstances = ([xml](& 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe' @vsWhereBaseArgs -include packages -format xml))
+$VSInstances = ([xml](& 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe' -latest -requires Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Tools.x86.x64 -include packages -format xml))
 $VSPackages = $VSInstances.instances.instance.packages.package
 $LatestVCPackage = ($VSPackages | ? { $_.id -eq "Microsoft.VisualCpp.Tools.Core" })
 $LatestVCToolsVersion = $LatestVCPackage.version;

-$VSRoot = (& 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe' @vsWhereBaseArgs -property 'resolvedInstallationPath')
+$VSRoot = (& 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe' -latest -requires Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Tools.x86.x64 -property 'resolvedInstallationPath')
 $VCToolsRoot = Join-Path $VSRoot "VC\Tools\MSVC"

 # We have observed a few instances where the VC tools package version actually
@@ -31,12 +24,5 @@ If ($Null -Eq (Get-Item $PackageVCToolPath -ErrorAction:Ignore)) {
 }

 Write-Output "Latest VCToolsVersion: $LatestVCToolsVersion"
-
-# VS2026 (MSVC 14.50+) doesn't need explicit VCToolsVersion - let MSBuild auto-select
-$MajorMinorVersion = [Version]::Parse($LatestVCToolsVersion)
-If ($MajorMinorVersion.Major -eq 14 -and $MajorMinorVersion.Minor -ge 50) {
-    Write-Output "VS2026 detected (MSVC 14.50+). Skipping VCToolsVersion override to allow MSBuild auto-selection."
-} Else {
-    Write-Output "Updating VCToolsVersion environment variable for job"
-    Write-Output "##vso[task.setvariable variable=VCToolsVersion]$LatestVCToolsVersion"
-}
+Write-Output "Updating VCToolsVersion environment variable for job"
+Write-Output "##vso[task.setvariable variable=VCToolsVersion]$LatestVCToolsVersion"
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ These instruction files are automatically applied when working in their respecti

 ### Prerequisites

- Visual Studio 2022 17.4+ or Visual Studio 2026
+- Visual Studio 2022 17.4+
 - Windows 10 1803+ (April 2018 Update or newer)
 - Initialize submodules once: `git submodule update --init --recursive`

--- a/Cpp.Build.props
+++ b/Cpp.Build.props
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
      <PrecompiledHeader Condition="'$(UsePrecompiledHeaders)' != 'false'">Use</PrecompiledHeader>
      <PrecompiledHeaderFile>pch.h</PrecompiledHeaderFile>
      <WarningLevel>Level4</WarningLevel>
-      <DisableSpecificWarnings>4679;4706;4874;5271;%(DisableSpecificWarnings)</DisableSpecificWarnings>
+      <DisableSpecificWarnings>4679;5271;%(DisableSpecificWarnings)</DisableSpecificWarnings>
      <DisableAnalyzeExternal >true</DisableAnalyzeExternal>
      <ExternalWarningLevel>TurnOffAllWarnings</ExternalWarningLevel>
      <ConformanceMode>false</ConformanceMode>
@@ -110,7 +110,6 @@
  <!-- Props that are constant for both Debug and Release configurations -->
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
-    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '18.0'">v145</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <DesktopCompatible>true</DesktopCompatible>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,19 +51,19 @@ But to get started quickly, choose one of the installation methods below:
 Go to the <a href="https://aka.ms/installPowerToys">PowerToys GitHub releases</a>, click Assets to reveal the downloads, and choose the installer that matches your architecture and install scope. For most devices, that's the x64 per-user installer.

 <!-- items that need to be updated release to release -->
-[github-next-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.98%22
-[github-current-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.97%22
-[ptUserX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.1/PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.1-x64.exe 
-[ptUserArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.1/PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.1-arm64.exe 
-[ptMachineX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.1/PowerToysSetup-0.97.1-x64.exe 
-[ptMachineArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.1/PowerToysSetup-0.97.1-arm64.exe
+[github-next-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.97%22
+[github-current-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.96%22
+[ptUserX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.0/PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.0-x64.exe 
+[ptUserArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.0/PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.0-arm64.exe 
+[ptMachineX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.0/PowerToysSetup-0.97.0-x64.exe 
+[ptMachineArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.97.0/PowerToysSetup-0.97.0-arm64.exe
 
 |  Description   | Filename |
 |----------------|----------|
-| Per user - x64       | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.1-x64.exe][ptUserX64] |
-| Per user - ARM64     | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.1-arm64.exe][ptUserArm64] |
-| Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.97.1-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] |
-| Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.97.1-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] |
+| Per user - x64       | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.0-x64.exe][ptUserX64] |
+| Per user - ARM64     | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.97.0-arm64.exe][ptUserArm64] |
+| Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.97.0-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] |
+| Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.97.0-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] |

 </details>

@@ -103,38 +103,18 @@ There are <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/install#communi
 </details>

 ## ✨ What's new
-**Version 0.97.1 (January 2026)**
+**Version 0.97 (January 2026)**

-This patch release fixes several important stability issues identified in v0.97.0 based on incoming reports. Check out the [v0.97.0](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/tag/v0.97.0) notes for the full list of changes.
+For an in-depth look at the latest changes, visit the [Windows Command Line blog](https://aka.ms/powertoys-releaseblog).

-**Highlights**
-
-### Advanced Paste
- #44862: Fixed Settings UI advanced paste page crash by using correct settings repository for null checking.
-
-### Command Palette
- #44886: Fixed personalization section not appearing by using latest MSIX for installation.
- #44938: Fixed loading of icons from internet shortcuts. Thanks [@jiripolasek](https://github.com/jiripolasek)!
- #45076: Fixed potential deadlock from lazy-loading AppListItem details. Thanks [@jiripolasek](https://github.com/jiripolasek)!
-
-### Cursor Wrap
- #44936: Added improved multi-monitor support; Added laptop lid close detection for dynamic monitor topology updates. Thanks [@mikehall-ms](https://github.com/mikehall-ms)!
- #44936: Added new settings dropdown to constrain wrapping to horizontal-only, vertical-only, or both directions. Thanks [@mikehall-ms](https://github.com/mikehall-ms)!
-
-### Peek
- #44995: Fixed Space key triggering Peek during file rename, search, or address bar typing.
-
-### PowerRename
- #44944: Fixed regex `$` not working, preventing users from adding text at the end of filenames.
-
-### Runner
- #44931: Monochrome tray icon now adapts to Windows system theme instead of app theme.
- #44982: Fixed right-click menu to dynamically update based on Quick Access enabled/disabled state.
-
-### GPO / Enterprise
- #45028: Added CursorWrap policy definition to ADMX templates. Thanks [@htcfreek](https://github.com/htcfreek)!
-
-For the full list of v0.97 changes, visit the [Windows Command Line blog](https://aka.ms/powertoys-releaseblog).
+**✨ Highlights**
+- **Command Palette**: Major expansion with PowerToys extension (Windows 11 only), Remote Desktop built-in extension, theme customization, drag-and-drop support, fallback ranking controls, sections/separators for pages, pinyin Chinese matching, and many UX refinements.
+- **Settings**: Quick Access flyout is now a standalone process for significantly faster startup, theme-adaptive tray icon, AOT serialization, and multiple UI/accessibility fixes
+- **CursorWrap (New!)**: New mouse utility that lets your cursor wrap around screen edges, making multi-monitor navigation faster and more seamless.
+- **Advanced Paste**: Image input for AI, color detection in clipboard history, Foundry Local improvements, Azure AI icons, and multiple bug fixes
+- **CLI Support Expanded**: FancyZones, Image Resizer, and File Locksmith can now be controlled from the command line for layout management, batch image resizing, and file lock inspection.
+- **LightSwitch**: Added support for automatically following Windows Night Light mode.
+- **Release Experience & Quality**: Refreshed "What’s new" dialog, plus many performance improvements, stability fixes, and refinements across PowerToys.

 ## Advanced Paste

@@ -309,7 +289,7 @@ For the full list of v0.97 changes, visit the [Windows Command Line blog](https:
 - Stabilized FancyZones UI tests with more reliable selectors and screen recordings.

 ## 🛣️ Roadmap 
-We are planning some nice new features and improvements for the next releases – PowerDisplay, Command Palette improvements and a brand-new Shortcut Guide experience! Stay tuned for [v0.98][github-next-release-work]!
+We are planning some nice new features and improvements for the next releases – PowerDisplay, Command Palette improvements and a brand-new Shortcut Guide experience! Stay tuned for [v0.97][github-next-release-work]!

 ## ❤️ PowerToys Community 
 The PowerToys team is extremely grateful to have the [support of an amazing active community][community-link]. The work you do is incredibly important. PowerToys wouldn't be nearly what it is today without your help filing bugs, updating documentation, guiding the design, or writing features. We want to say thank you and take time to recognize your work. Your contributions and feedback improve PowerToys month after month!
--- a/doc/devdocs/core/installer.md
+++ b/doc/devdocs/core/installer.md
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@
 ### Building PowerToys Locally

 #### One stop script for building installer
-1. Open `Developer Powershell for VS 2022` or `Developer PowerShell for VS` for VS 2026.
+1. Open developer powershell for vs 2022
 2. Run tools\build\build-installer.ps1
 > For the first-time setup, please run the installer as an administrator. This ensures that the Wix tool can move wix.target to the desired location and trust the certificate used to sign the MSIX packages.

@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ dotnet tool install --global wix --version 5.0.2

 ##### From the command line

-1. From the start menu, open a `Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022` or `Developer Command Prompt for VS`
+1. From the start menu, open a `Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022`
 1. Ensure `nuget.exe` is in your `%path%`
 1. In the repo root, run these commands:
  
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ If you prefer, you can alternatively build prerequisite projects for the install

 The resulting installer will be available in the `installer\PowerToysSetupVNext\x64\Release\` folder.

-To build the installer from the command line, run `Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022` or `Developer Command Prompt for VS` in admin mode and execute the following commands. The generated installer package will be located at `\installer\PowerToysSetupVNext\{platform}\Release\MachineSetup`.
+To build the installer from the command line, run `Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022` in admin mode and execute the following commands. The generated installer package will be located at `\installer\PowerToysSetupVNext\{platform}\Release\MachineSetup`.

 ```
 git clean -xfd  -e *exe -- .\installer\
--- a/doc/devdocs/development/debugging.md
+++ b/doc/devdocs/development/debugging.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Before you can start debugging PowerToys, you need to set up your development en

 You can build the entire solution from the command line, which is sometimes faster than building within Visual Studio:

-1. Open `Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022` or `Developer Command Prompt for VS`
+1. Open Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022
 2. Navigate to the repository root directory
 3. Run the following command(don't forget to set the correct platform):
   ```pwsh
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ If you encounter build errors about missing image files (e.g., `.png`, `.ico`, o

 1. **Clean the solution in Visual Studio**: Build > Clean Solution

-   Or from the command line (Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022 or Developer Command Prompt for VS):
+   Or from the command line (Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022):
   ```pwsh
   msbuild PowerToys.slnx /t:Clean /p:Platform=x64 /p:Configuration=Debug
   ```
--- a/doc/devdocs/development/dev-with-vscode.md
+++ b/doc/devdocs/development/dev-with-vscode.md
@@ -15,11 +15,9 @@ VS Code extensions Needed:
 ---

 ## Building in VS Code
-### Configure Developer Powershell for VS 2022 or Developer Powershell for VS for more convenient dev in vscode.
+### Configure developer powershell for vs2022 for more convenient dev in vscode.
 1. Configure profile in in settings, entry:  "terminal.integrated.profiles.windows"
-2. Add below config as entry (choose VS 2022 or VS 2026 based on your installation):
-
-**For Visual Studio 2022:**
+2. Add below config as entry:
 ```json
    "Developer PowerShell for VS 2022": {
 		// Configure based on your preference
@@ -29,35 +27,16 @@ VS Code extensions Needed:
            "-Command",
            "& {",
            "$orig = Get-Location;",
-            // Adjust path based on your edition (Community/Professional/Enterprise)
+            // Configure based on your environment
            "& 'C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Visual Studio\\2022\\Enterprise\\Common7\\Tools\\Launch-VsDevShell.ps1';",
            "Set-Location $orig",
            "}"
        ]
    },
 ```
+3. [Optional] Set Developer PowerShell for VS 2022 as your default profile, so that you can get a deep integration with vscode coding agent. 

-**For Visual Studio 2026:**
-```json
-    "Developer PowerShell for VS": {
-		// Configure based on your preference
-        "path": "C:\\Program Files\\WindowsApps\\Microsoft.PowerShell_7.5.2.0_arm64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\\pwsh.exe",
-        "args": [
-            "-NoExit",
-            "-Command",
-            "& {",
-            "$orig = Get-Location;",
-            // Adjust path based on your edition (Community/Professional/Enterprise)
-            "& 'C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Visual Studio\\18\\Enterprise\\Common7\\Tools\\Launch-VsDevShell.ps1';",
-            "Set-Location $orig",
-            "}"
-        ]
-    },
-```
-
-3. [Optional] Set your Developer PowerShell profile as the default, so that you can get a deep integration with vscode coding agent. 
-
-4. Now you can build with plain `msbuild` or configure tasks.json in below section.
+4. Now You can build with plain `msbuild` or configure tasks.json in below section
 Or reach out to "tools\build\BUILD-GUIDELINES.md"

 ### Sample plain msbuild command
--- a/doc/devdocs/modules/fancyzones.md
+++ b/doc/devdocs/modules/fancyzones.md
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ FancyZones is divided into several projects:
 ## Development Environment Setup

 ### Prerequisites
- Visual Studio 2022 or 2026: Required for building and debugging
+- Visual Studio 2022: Required for building and debugging
 - Windows 10 SDK: Ensure the latest version is installed
 - PowerToys Repository: Clone from GitHub

@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ FancyZones is divided into several projects:
 ## Debugging

 ### Setup for Debugging
-1. In Visual Studio 2022 or 2026, set FancyZonesEditor as the startup project
+1. In Visual Studio 2022, set FancyZonesEditor as the startup project
 2. Set breakpoints in the code where needed
 3. Click Run to start debugging

--- a/doc/devdocs/readme.md
+++ b/doc/devdocs/readme.md
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Once you've discussed your proposed feature/fix/etc. with a team member, and an
 ### Prerequisites for Compiling PowerToys

 1. Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) or newer
-1. Visual Studio Community/Professional/Enterprise 2022 17.4 or newer, or Visual Studio 2026
+1. Visual Studio Community/Professional/Enterprise 2022 17.4 or newer
 1. A local clone of the PowerToys repository
 1. Enable long paths in Windows (see [Enable Long Paths](https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/win32/fileio/maximum-file-path-limitation#enabling-long-paths-in-windows-10-version-1607-and-later) for details)

--- a/installer/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext.vcxproj
+++ b/installer/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext/PowerToysSetupCustomActionsVNext.vcxproj
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <Import Project="..\..\deps\spdlog.props" />
--- a/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/Directory.Build.props
+++ b/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/Directory.Build.props
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <Project>
-  <Import Project="..\..\Directory.Build.props" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\src\Version.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\src\Version.props')" />
  <PropertyGroup>
    <!-- Set BaseIntermediateOutputPath for each project to avoid conflicts -->
    <BaseIntermediateOutputPath Condition="'$(MSBuildProjectName)' == 'PowerToysInstallerVNext'">obj\Installer\</BaseIntermediateOutputPath>
--- a/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/SilentFilesInUseBAFunction.vcxproj
+++ b/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/SilentFilesInUseBAFunction.vcxproj
@@ -37,14 +37,14 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@
    <ClCompile Include="SilentFilesInUseBAFunctions.cpp" />
    <ClCompile Include="bafunctions.cpp">
      <PrecompiledHeader>Create</PrecompiledHeader>
+      <PrecompiledHeaderFile>precomp.h</PrecompiledHeaderFile>
    </ClCompile>
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
-    <ClInclude Include="pch.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="precomp.h" />
    <ClInclude Include="resource.h" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
--- a/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/SilentFilesInUseBAFunctions.cpp
+++ b/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/SilentFilesInUseBAFunctions.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // 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.

-#include "pch.h"
+#include "precomp.h"
 #include "BalBaseBAFunctions.h"
 #include "BalBaseBAFunctionsProc.h"

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ 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;
    }

@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ public: // IBAFunctions
        // BalExitOnFailure(hr, "Change this message to represent real error handling.");
        //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

+    LExit:
        return hr;
    }

@@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ public: // IBAFunctions
        __in DWORD cFiles,
        __in_ecount_z(cFiles) LPCWSTR* rgwzFiles,
        __in int nRecommendation,
-        __in BOOTSTRAPPER_FILES_IN_USE_TYPE /* source */,
+        __in BOOTSTRAPPER_FILES_IN_USE_TYPE source,
        __inout int* pResult
        )
    {
--- a/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/bafunctions.cpp
+++ b/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/bafunctions.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // 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.

-#include "pch.h"
+#include "precomp.h"

 static HINSTANCE vhInstance = NULL;

--- a/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/precomp.h
+++ b/installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/SilentFilesInUseBA/precomp.h
--- a/src/ActionRunner/actionRunner.cpp
+++ b/src/ActionRunner/actionRunner.cpp
@@ -104,6 +104,66 @@ int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE, HINSTANCE, LPSTR, int)
            }
        }
    }
+    else if (action == RUN_AS_USER || action == RUN_AS_ADMIN)
+    {
+        // Handle "Run as different user" and "Run as administrator" actions.
+        // This is used by Command Palette to work around WinUI3/MSIX packaging limitations
+        // where ShellExecute with "runas user"/"runas" verbs doesn't work properly from packaged apps.
+        int nextArg = 2;
+
+        std::wstring_view target;
+        std::wstring_view workingDir;
+
+        while (nextArg < nArgs)
+        {
+            if (std::wstring_view(args[nextArg]) == L"-target" && nextArg + 1 < nArgs)
+            {
+                target = args[nextArg + 1];
+                nextArg += 2;
+            }
+            else if (std::wstring_view(args[nextArg]) == L"-workingDir" && nextArg + 1 < nArgs)
+            {
+                workingDir = args[nextArg + 1];
+                nextArg += 2;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                nextArg++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (target.empty())
+        {
+            Logger::error(L"ActionRunner: {} called without -target argument", action);
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        Logger::trace(L"ActionRunner: {} target='{}' workingDir='{}'", action, target, workingDir);
+
+        SHELLEXECUTEINFOW sei = { sizeof(sei) };
+        sei.fMask = SEE_MASK_FLAG_NO_UI;
+        sei.lpFile = target.data();
+        sei.lpDirectory = workingDir.empty() ? nullptr : workingDir.data();
+        sei.lpVerb = (action == RUN_AS_ADMIN) ? L"runas" : L"runasuser";
+        sei.nShow = SW_SHOWNORMAL;
+
+        if (!ShellExecuteExW(&sei))
+        {
+            DWORD error = GetLastError();
+            if (error == ERROR_CANCELLED)
+            {
+                // User cancelled the UAC/credential dialog - this is expected behavior
+                Logger::trace(L"ActionRunner: User cancelled {} dialog for '{}'", action, target);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                Logger::error(L"ActionRunner: ShellExecuteEx failed for {} '{}': error {}", action, target, error);
+            }
+            return static_cast<int>(error);
+        }
+
+        Logger::trace(L"ActionRunner: Successfully launched '{}' with {}", target, action);
+    }

    return 0;
 }
--- a/src/ActionRunner/actionRunner.vcxproj
+++ b/src/ActionRunner/actionRunner.vcxproj
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="..\..\deps\expected.props" />
  <PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/Common.Dotnet.AotCompatibility.props
+++ b/src/Common.Dotnet.AotCompatibility.props
@@ -8,9 +8,6 @@

    <!-- Suppress DynamicallyAccessedMemberTypes.PublicParameterlessConstructor in fallback code path of Windows SDK projection -->
    <!-- Suppress CA1416 for Windows-specific APIs that are used in PowerToys which only runs on Windows 10.0.19041.0+ -->
-    <!-- Suppress IL2026/IL3050 for JSON serialization in specific scenarios (backup/restore, CLI commands) -->
-    <!-- Suppress IL2067/IL2070/IL2072/IL2075/IL2087/IL2098 for reflection in CLI/DSC command utilities -->
-    <!-- Suppress IL3000/IL3002 for Assembly.Location and Marshal.GetHINSTANCE in single-file/AOT scenarios -->
-    <WarningsNotAsErrors>IL2026;IL2067;IL2070;IL2072;IL2075;IL2081;IL2087;IL2098;IL3000;IL3002;IL3050;CsWinRT1028;CA1416;$(WarningsNotAsErrors)</WarningsNotAsErrors>
+    <WarningsNotAsErrors>IL2081;CsWinRT1028;CA1416;$(WarningsNotAsErrors)</WarningsNotAsErrors>
  </PropertyGroup>
 </Project>
--- a/src/Common.Dotnet.FuzzTest.props
+++ b/src/Common.Dotnet.FuzzTest.props
@@ -5,6 +5,6 @@
       As a temporary workaround, create a .NET 8 project and use file links 
       to include the code that needs testing. -->
  <PropertyGroup>
-    <TargetFramework>net8.0-windows10.0.26100.0</TargetFramework>
+    <TargetFramework>net8.0-windows10.0.19041.0</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>
 </Project>
--- a/src/PackageIdentity/PackageIdentity.vcxproj
+++ b/src/PackageIdentity/PackageIdentity.vcxproj
@@ -55,26 +55,26 @@
  <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>

--- a/src/Update/PowerToys.Update.vcxproj
+++ b/src/Update/PowerToys.Update.vcxproj
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="..\..\deps\expected.props" />
  <PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/common/COMUtils/COMUtils.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/COMUtils/COMUtils.vcxproj
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/common/CalculatorEngineCommon/CalculatorEngineCommon.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/CalculatorEngineCommon/CalculatorEngineCommon.vcxproj
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/common/Display/Display.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/Display/Display.vcxproj
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <Import Project="..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
    <VCProjectVersion>16.0</VCProjectVersion>
    <ProjectGuid>{CABA8DFB-823B-4BF2-93AC-3F31984150D9}</ProjectGuid>
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -40,18 +39,5 @@
    <ClCompile Include="monitors.cpp" />
    <ClCompile Include="dpi_aware.cpp" />
  </ItemGroup>
-  <ItemGroup>
-    <None Include="packages.config" />
-  </ItemGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
-  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
-    <Import Project="..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" />
-  </ImportGroup>
-  <Target Name="EnsureNuGetPackageBuildImports" BeforeTargets="PrepareForBuild">
-    <PropertyGroup>
-      <ErrorText>This project references NuGet package(s) that are missing on this computer. Use NuGet Package Restore to download them.  For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=322105. The missing file is {0}.</ErrorText>
-    </PropertyGroup>
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" Text="$([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('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets'))" />
-  </Target>
 </Project>
--- a/src/common/Display/packages.config
+++ b/src/common/Display/packages.config
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<packages>
-  <package id="Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT" version="2.0.240111.5" targetFramework="native" />
-</packages>
--- a/src/common/GPOWrapper/GPOWrapper.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/GPOWrapper/GPOWrapper.vcxproj
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
    <DesktopCompatible>true</DesktopCompatible>
--- a/src/common/SettingsAPI/SettingsAPI.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/SettingsAPI/SettingsAPI.vcxproj
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/common/Telemetry/EtwTrace/EtwTrace.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/Telemetry/EtwTrace/EtwTrace.vcxproj
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/common/Themes/Themes.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/Themes/Themes.vcxproj
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/common/UnitTests-CommonLib/UnitTests-CommonLib.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/UnitTests-CommonLib/UnitTests-CommonLib.vcxproj
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <OutDir>$(SolutionDir)$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\tests\UnitTestsCommonLib\</OutDir>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
--- a/src/common/interop/PowerToys.Interop.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/interop/PowerToys.Interop.vcxproj
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/common/logger/logger.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/logger/logger.vcxproj
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <OutDir>..\..\..\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\</OutDir>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
--- a/src/common/notifications/BackgroundActivator/BackgroundActivator.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/notifications/BackgroundActivator/BackgroundActivator.vcxproj
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/common/notifications/BackgroundActivatorDLL/BackgroundActivatorDLL.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/notifications/BackgroundActivatorDLL/BackgroundActivatorDLL.vcxproj
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/common/notifications/notifications.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/notifications/notifications.vcxproj
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/common/updating/updating.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/updating/updating.vcxproj
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
  <Import Project="..\..\..\deps\expected.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <Import Project="..\..\..\deps\spdlog.props" />
--- a/src/common/version/version.vcxproj
+++ b/src/common/version/version.vcxproj
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/logging/logging.vcxproj
+++ b/src/logging/logging.vcxproj
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <OutDir>..\..\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\</OutDir>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
--- a/src/modules/AdvancedPaste/AdvancedPasteModuleInterface/AdvancedPasteModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/AdvancedPaste/AdvancedPasteModuleInterface/AdvancedPasteModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLock/CropAndLock.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLock/CropAndLock.vcxproj
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@
  </ItemGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '16.0'">v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '17.0'">v143</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '18.0'">v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLockModuleInterface/CropAndLockModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/CropAndLock/CropAndLockModuleInterface/CropAndLockModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/EnvironmentVariables/EnvironmentVariablesModuleInterface/EnvironmentVariablesModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/EnvironmentVariables/EnvironmentVariablesModuleInterface/EnvironmentVariablesModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithCLI/FileLocksmithCLI.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithCLI/FileLocksmithCLI.vcxproj
@@ -14,11 +14,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
--- a/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithCLI/tests/FileLocksmithCLIUnitTests.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithCLI/tests/FileLocksmithCLIUnitTests.vcxproj
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\..\deps\spdlog.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithContextMenu/FileLocksmithContextMenu.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithContextMenu/FileLocksmithContextMenu.vcxproj
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithExt/FileLocksmithExt.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithExt/FileLocksmithExt.vcxproj
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithLib/FileLocksmithLib.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithLib/FileLocksmithLib.vcxproj
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
--- a/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithLibInterop/FileLocksmithLibInterop.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/FileLocksmith/FileLocksmithLibInterop/FileLocksmithLibInterop.vcxproj
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/Hosts/HostsModuleInterface/HostsModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Hosts/HostsModuleInterface/HostsModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchLib/LightSwitchLib.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchLib/LightSwitchLib.vcxproj
@@ -31,22 +31,26 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchService/LightSwitchService.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/LightSwitch/LightSwitchService/LightSwitchService.vcxproj
@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MeasureTool/MeasureToolModuleInterface/MeasureToolModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MeasureTool/MeasureToolModuleInterface/MeasureToolModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MouseUtils/CursorWrap/CursorWrap.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MouseUtils/CursorWrap/CursorWrap.vcxproj
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MouseUtils/FindMyMouse/FindMyMouse.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MouseUtils/FindMyMouse/FindMyMouse.vcxproj
@@ -33,13 +33,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseHighlighter/MouseHighlighter.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseHighlighter/MouseHighlighter.vcxproj
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseJump.Common.UnitTests/Helpers/DrawingHelperTests.cs
+++ b/src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseJump.Common.UnitTests/Helpers/DrawingHelperTests.cs
@@ -143,12 +143,11 @@ public static class DrawingHelperTests
                    var actualPixel = actual.GetPixel(x, y);

                    // allow a small tolerance for rounding differences in gdi
-                    // using a tolerance of 3 for support of minor differences in Windows Server 2025 CI
                    Assert.IsTrue(
-                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.A - actualPixel.A) <= 3) &&
-                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.R - actualPixel.R) <= 3) &&
-                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.G - actualPixel.G) <= 3) &&
-                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.B - actualPixel.B) <= 3),
+                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.A - actualPixel.A) <= 1) &&
+                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.R - actualPixel.R) <= 1) &&
+                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.G - actualPixel.G) <= 1) &&
+                        (Math.Abs(expectedPixel.B - actualPixel.B) <= 1),
                        $"images differ at pixel ({x}, {y}) - expected: {expectedPixel}, actual: {actualPixel}");
                }
            }
--- a/src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseJump/MouseJump.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseJump/MouseJump.vcxproj
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MouseUtils/MousePointerCrosshairs/MousePointerCrosshairs.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MouseUtils/MousePointerCrosshairs/MousePointerCrosshairs.vcxproj
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/MouseWithoutBordersIpcServer.cs
+++ b/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/MouseWithoutBordersIpcServer.cs
@@ -1,170 +0,0 @@
-// 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;
-using System.Collections.Generic;
-using System.IO;
-using System.IO.Pipes;
-using System.Linq;
-using System.Text;
-using System.Text.Json;
-using System.Threading;
-using System.Threading.Tasks;
-using MouseWithoutBorders.Class;
-using Logger = MouseWithoutBorders.Core.Logger;
-
-#pragma warning disable SA1649 // File name should match first type name
-
-namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class;
-
-/// <summary>
-/// Command types for IPC protocol.
-/// Must match client-side enum in Settings.UI\Helpers\MouseWithoutBordersIpcClient.cs
-/// </summary>
-internal enum IpcCommandType : byte
-{
-    Shutdown = 1,
-    Reconnect = 2,
-    GenerateNewKey = 3,
-    ConnectToMachine = 4,
-    RequestMachineSocketState = 5,
-}
-
-/// <summary>
-/// AOT-compatible IPC server for MouseWithoutBorders Settings communication.
-/// Replaces StreamJsonRpc with manual NamedPipe protocol.
-/// </summary>
-internal sealed class MouseWithoutBordersIpcServer
-{
-    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions JsonOptions = new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = false };
-
-    private readonly ISettingsSyncHandler _handler;
-
-    public MouseWithoutBordersIpcServer(ISettingsSyncHandler handler)
-    {
-        _handler = handler ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(handler));
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Handles a single client connection
-    /// </summary>
-    public async Task HandleClientAsync(Stream stream, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
-    {
-        using var reader = new BinaryReader(stream, Encoding.UTF8, leaveOpen: true);
-        using var writer = new BinaryWriter(stream, Encoding.UTF8, leaveOpen: true);
-
-        try
-        {
-            while (!cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested && stream.CanRead)
-            {
-                // Read command type (1 byte)
-                var commandByte = reader.ReadByte();
-                var command = (IpcCommandType)commandByte;
-
-                switch (command)
-                {
-                    case IpcCommandType.Shutdown:
-                        _handler.Shutdown();
-                        break;
-
-                    case IpcCommandType.Reconnect:
-                        _handler.Reconnect();
-                        break;
-
-                    case IpcCommandType.GenerateNewKey:
-                        _handler.GenerateNewKey();
-                        break;
-
-                    case IpcCommandType.ConnectToMachine:
-                        {
-                            var machineName = ReadString(reader);
-                            var securityKey = ReadString(reader);
-                            _handler.ConnectToMachine(machineName, securityKey);
-                        }
-
-                        break;
-
-                    case IpcCommandType.RequestMachineSocketState:
-                        {
-                            var states = await _handler.RequestMachineSocketStateAsync();
-                            var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(states, JsonOptions);
-                            WriteString(writer, json);
-                            await stream.FlushAsync(cancellationToken);
-                        }
-
-                        break;
-
-                    default:
-                        Logger.Log($"Unknown IPC command: {commandByte}");
-                        return; // Invalid command, close connection
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        catch (EndOfStreamException)
-        {
-            // Client disconnected, normal termination
-        }
-        catch (IOException)
-        {
-            // Pipe broken, normal termination
-        }
-        catch (Exception ex)
-        {
-            Logger.Log($"IPC error: {ex}");
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Reads a length-prefixed UTF-8 string
-    /// </summary>
-    private static string ReadString(BinaryReader reader)
-    {
-        var length = reader.ReadInt32();
-        if (length <= 0 || length > 1024 * 1024)
-        {
-            return string.Empty;
-        }
-
-        var bytes = reader.ReadBytes(length);
-        return Encoding.UTF8.GetString(bytes);
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Writes a length-prefixed UTF-8 string
-    /// </summary>
-    private static void WriteString(BinaryWriter writer, string value)
-    {
-        var bytes = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(value);
-        writer.Write(bytes.Length);
-        writer.Write(bytes);
-    }
-}
-
-/// <summary>
-/// Interface for handling IPC commands.
-/// Implemented by SettingsSyncHelper in Program.cs
-/// </summary>
-internal interface ISettingsSyncHandler
-{
-    void Shutdown();
-
-    void Reconnect();
-
-    void GenerateNewKey();
-
-    void ConnectToMachine(string machineName, string securityKey);
-
-    Task<MachineSocketState[]> RequestMachineSocketStateAsync();
-}
-
-/// <summary>
-/// Machine socket state for serialization.
-/// Uses SocketStatus from SocketStuff.cs in MouseWithoutBorders.Class namespace.
-/// </summary>
-public struct MachineSocketState
-{
-    public string Name { get; set; }
-
-    public MouseWithoutBorders.Class.SocketStatus Status { get; set; }
-}
--- a/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/Program.cs
+++ b/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/Program.cs
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ using System.Globalization;
 using System.IO;
 using System.IO.Pipes;
 using System.Linq;
-using System.Security.AccessControl;
 using System.Security.Authentication.ExtendedProtection;
 using System.Security.Principal;
 using System.ServiceModel.Channels;
@@ -277,7 +276,7 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
            Task<MachineSocketState[]> RequestMachineSocketStateAsync();
        }

-        private sealed class SettingsSyncHelper : ISettingsSyncHelper, ISettingsSyncHandler
+        private sealed class SettingsSyncHelper : ISettingsSyncHelper
        {
            public Task<ISettingsSyncHelper.MachineSocketState[]> RequestMachineSocketStateAsync()
            {
@@ -300,28 +299,6 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
                return Task.FromResult(machineStates.Select((state) => new ISettingsSyncHelper.MachineSocketState { Name = state.Key, Status = state.Value }).ToArray());
            }

-            // ISettingsSyncHandler implementation (AOT-compatible)
-            Task<MachineSocketState[]> ISettingsSyncHandler.RequestMachineSocketStateAsync()
-            {
-                var machineStates = new Dictionary<string, SocketStatus>();
-                if (Common.Sk == null || Common.Sk.TcpSockets == null)
-                {
-                    return Task.FromResult(Array.Empty<MachineSocketState>());
-                }
-
-                foreach (var client in Common.Sk.TcpSockets
-                    .Where(t => t != null && t.IsClient && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(t.MachineName)))
-                {
-                    var exists = machineStates.TryGetValue(client.MachineName, out var existingStatus);
-                    if (!exists || existingStatus == SocketStatus.NA)
-                    {
-                        machineStates[client.MachineName] = client.Status;
-                    }
-                }
-
-                return Task.FromResult(machineStates.Select((state) => new MachineSocketState { Name = state.Key, Status = state.Value }).ToArray());
-            }
-
            public void ConnectToMachine(string pcName, string securityKey)
            {
                Setting.Values.PauseInstantSaving = true;
@@ -402,64 +379,7 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
            var serverTaskCancellationSource = new CancellationTokenSource();
            CancellationToken cancellationToken = serverTaskCancellationSource.Token;

-            // Use AOT-compatible IPC server if available, otherwise use StreamJsonRpc
-#if BUILD_INFO_PUBLISH_AOT || true // Enable for all builds
-            StartAotCompatibleIpcServer("MouseWithoutBorders/SettingsSync", cancellationToken);
-#else
            IpcChannel<SettingsSyncHelper>.StartIpcServer("MouseWithoutBorders/SettingsSync", cancellationToken);
-#endif
-        }
-
-        private static void StartAotCompatibleIpcServer(string pipeName, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
-        {
-            var handler = new SettingsSyncHelper();
-            var server = new MouseWithoutBordersIpcServer(handler);
-
-            _ = Task.Factory.StartNew(
-                async () =>
-                {
-                    try
-                    {
-                        while (!cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
-                        {
-                            using (var serverPipe = NamedPipeServerStreamAcl.Create(
-                                pipeName,
-                                PipeDirection.InOut,
-                                NamedPipeServerStream.MaxAllowedServerInstances,
-                                PipeTransmissionMode.Byte,
-                                PipeOptions.Asynchronous,
-                                0,
-                                0,
-                                CreatePipeSecurity()))
-                            {
-                                await serverPipe.WaitForConnectionAsync(cancellationToken);
-                                await server.HandleClientAsync(serverPipe, cancellationToken);
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                    catch (OperationCanceledException)
-                    {
-                        // Normal shutdown
-                    }
-                    catch (Exception e)
-                    {
-                        Logger.Log(e);
-                    }
-                },
-                cancellationToken,
-                TaskCreationOptions.LongRunning,
-                TaskScheduler.Default);
-        }
-
-        private static PipeSecurity CreatePipeSecurity()
-        {
-            var securityIdentifier = new SecurityIdentifier(WellKnownSidType.AuthenticatedUserSid, null);
-            var pipeSecurity = new PipeSecurity();
-            pipeSecurity.AddAccessRule(new PipeAccessRule(
-                securityIdentifier,
-                PipeAccessRights.ReadWrite | PipeAccessRights.CreateNewInstance,
-                AccessControlType.Allow));
-            return pipeSecurity;
        }

        internal static void StartInputCallbackThread()
--- a/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/SocketStuff.cs
+++ b/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/SocketStuff.cs
@@ -51,11 +51,7 @@ using Thread = MouseWithoutBorders.Core.Thread;

 namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
 {
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Socket status enumeration - made public for IPC serialization.
-    /// Must match Settings.UI.Library\MouseWithoutBordersIpcModels.cs
-    /// </summary>
-    public enum SocketStatus : int
+    internal enum SocketStatus : int
    {
        NA = 0,
        Resolving = 1,
--- a/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Core/Common.cs
+++ b/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Core/Common.cs
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ using MouseWithoutBorders.Class;
 using MouseWithoutBorders.Exceptions;

 using Clipboard = MouseWithoutBorders.Core.Clipboard;
-using SocketStatus = MouseWithoutBorders.Class.SocketStatus;
 using Thread = MouseWithoutBorders.Core.Thread;

 // Log is enough
--- a/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/ModuleInterface/MouseWithoutBordersModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/ModuleInterface/MouseWithoutBordersModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/NewPlus/NewShellExtensionContextMenu.win10/NewPlus.ShellExtension.win10.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/NewPlus/NewShellExtensionContextMenu.win10/NewPlus.ShellExtension.win10.vcxproj
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
--- a/src/modules/NewPlus/NewShellExtensionContextMenu/NewShellExtensionContextMenu.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/NewPlus/NewShellExtensionContextMenu/NewShellExtensionContextMenu.vcxproj
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/PowerOCR/PowerOCRModuleInterface/PowerOCRModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/PowerOCR/PowerOCRModuleInterface/PowerOCRModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/ShortcutGuide/ShortcutGuide/ShortcutGuide.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/ShortcutGuide/ShortcutGuide/ShortcutGuide.vcxproj
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '15.0'">v141</PlatformToolset>
    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '16.0'">v142</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
--- a/src/modules/ShortcutGuide/ShortcutGuideModuleInterface/ShortcutGuideModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/ShortcutGuide/ShortcutGuideModuleInterface/ShortcutGuideModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLauncher/WorkspacesLauncher.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLauncher/WorkspacesLauncher.vcxproj
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
  <!-- Props that are constant for both Debug and Release configurations -->
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLib.UnitTests/WorkspacesLibUnitTests.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLib.UnitTests/WorkspacesLibUnitTests.vcxproj
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup>
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLib/WorkspacesLib.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLib/WorkspacesLib.vcxproj
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesModuleInterface/WorkspacesModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesModuleInterface/WorkspacesModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesSnapshotTool/WorkspacesSnapshotTool.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesSnapshotTool/WorkspacesSnapshotTool.vcxproj
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
  <!-- Props that are constant for both Debug and Release configurations -->
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesWindowArranger/WorkspacesWindowArranger.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesWindowArranger/WorkspacesWindowArranger.vcxproj
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
  <!-- Props that are constant for both Debug and Release configurations -->
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/ZoomIt/ZoomItModuleInterface/ZoomItModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/ZoomIt/ZoomItModuleInterface/ZoomItModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/ZoomIt/ZoomItSettingsInterop/ZoomItSettingsInterop.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/ZoomIt/ZoomItSettingsInterop/ZoomItSettingsInterop.vcxproj
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTop/AlwaysOnTop.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTop/AlwaysOnTop.vcxproj
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
  <!-- Props that are constant for both Debug and Release configurations -->
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTopModuleInterface/AlwaysOnTopModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/alwaysontop/AlwaysOnTopModuleInterface/AlwaysOnTopModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/awake/AwakeModuleInterface/AwakeModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/awake/AwakeModuleInterface/AwakeModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
    <RootNamespace>Awake</RootNamespace>
    <ProjectName>AwakeModuleInterface</ProjectName>
    <TargetName>PowerToys.AwakeModuleInterface</TargetName>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
--- a/src/modules/awake/README.md
+++ b/src/modules/awake/README.md
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ PowerToys.Awake.exe --pid 1234

 ### Prerequisites

- Visual Studio 2022 or 2026 with C++ and .NET workloads
+- Visual Studio 2022 with C++ and .NET workloads
 - Windows SDK 10.0.26100.0 or later

 ### Build Commands
--- a/src/modules/cmdNotFound/CmdNotFoundModuleInterface/CmdNotFoundModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/cmdNotFound/CmdNotFoundModuleInterface/CmdNotFoundModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
    <ProjectGuid>{0014d652-901f-4456-8d65-06fc5f997fb0}</ProjectGuid>
    <RootNamespace>CmdNotFoundModuleInterface</RootNamespace>
    <TargetName>PowerToys.CmdNotFoundModuleInterface</TargetName>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <ProjectName>CmdNotFoundModuleInterface</ProjectName>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalKeyboardService/CmdPalKeyboardService.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalKeyboardService/CmdPalKeyboardService.vcxproj
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalModuleInterface/CmdPalModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalModuleInterface/CmdPalModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.Terminal.UI/Microsoft.Terminal.UI.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.Terminal.UI/Microsoft.Terminal.UI.vcxproj
@@ -53,8 +53,10 @@
  </ItemGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
-   
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '16.0'">v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '15.0'">v141</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '14.0'">v140</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
    <DesktopCompatible>true</DesktopCompatible>
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/Commands/RunAsAdminCommand.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/Commands/RunAsAdminCommand.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@

 using System;
 using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.IO;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps.Properties;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps.Utils;
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ internal sealed partial class RunAsAdminCommand : InvokableCommand
        {
            if (packaged)
            {
+                // For UWP/packaged apps, use shell:AppsFolder which works from packaged context
                var command = "shell:AppsFolder\\" + target;
                command = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(command.Trim());

@@ -43,9 +45,37 @@ internal sealed partial class RunAsAdminCommand : InvokableCommand
            }
            else
            {
-                var info = ShellCommand.GetProcessStartInfo(target, parentDir, string.Empty, ShellCommand.RunAsType.Administrator);
+                // For Win32 apps, use ActionRunner helper process to work around WinUI3/MSIX packaging limitation.
+                // When running from a packaged app, ShellExecute with "runas" verb may fail for certain apps
+                // (e.g., apps launched via .lnk shortcuts). ActionRunner runs outside the MSIX container,
+                // so it can properly invoke the UAC dialog.
+                var actionRunnerPath = ActionRunnerHelper.GetActionRunnerPath();

-                Process.Start(info);
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(actionRunnerPath))
+                {
+                    // Fallback to direct Process.Start if ActionRunner is not found
+                    ExtensionHost.LogMessage($"ActionRunner not found, falling back to direct Process.Start for '{target}'");
+                    var info = ShellCommand.GetProcessStartInfo(target, parentDir, string.Empty, ShellCommand.RunAsType.Administrator);
+                    Process.Start(info);
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                var args = $"-run-as-admin -target \"{target}\"";
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(parentDir))
+                {
+                    args += $" -workingDir \"{parentDir}\"";
+                }
+
+                var processInfo = new ProcessStartInfo
+                {
+                    FileName = actionRunnerPath,
+                    Arguments = args,
+                    UseShellExecute = false,
+                    CreateNoWindow = true,
+                };
+
+                ExtensionHost.LogMessage($"Launching '{target}' as administrator via ActionRunner");
+                Process.Start(processInfo);
            }
        });
    }
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/Commands/RunAsUserCommand.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/Commands/RunAsUserCommand.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@

 using System;
 using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.IO;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps.Properties;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps.Utils;
@@ -29,9 +30,38 @@ internal sealed partial class RunAsUserCommand : InvokableCommand
    {
        await Task.Run(() =>
        {
-            var info = ShellCommand.GetProcessStartInfo(target, parentDir, string.Empty, ShellCommand.RunAsType.OtherUser);
+            // Use ActionRunner helper process to work around WinUI3/MSIX packaging limitation.
+            // When running from a packaged app, ShellExecute with the "runas user" verb causes
+            // CredentialUIBroker.exe to spawn infinitely without showing the credential dialog.
+            // ActionRunner runs outside the MSIX container, so it can properly invoke the credential UI.
+            var actionRunnerPath = ActionRunnerHelper.GetActionRunnerPath();

-            Process.Start(info);
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(actionRunnerPath))
+            {
+                // Fallback to direct Process.Start if ActionRunner is not found
+                // This may not work in packaged context, but provides a fallback for development
+                ExtensionHost.LogMessage($"ActionRunner not found, falling back to direct Process.Start for '{target}'");
+                var info = ShellCommand.GetProcessStartInfo(target, parentDir, string.Empty, ShellCommand.RunAsType.OtherUser);
+                Process.Start(info);
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var args = $"-run-as-user -target \"{target}\"";
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(parentDir))
+            {
+                args += $" -workingDir \"{parentDir}\"";
+            }
+
+            var processInfo = new ProcessStartInfo
+            {
+                FileName = actionRunnerPath,
+                Arguments = args,
+                UseShellExecute = false,
+                CreateNoWindow = true,
+            };
+
+            ExtensionHost.LogMessage($"Launching '{target}' as different user via ActionRunner");
+            Process.Start(processInfo);
        });
    }

--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/Utils/ActionRunnerHelper.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/ext/Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps/Utils/ActionRunnerHelper.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+// 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.IO;
+using ManagedCommon;
+
+namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.Apps.Utils;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Helper class to locate and invoke the PowerToys ActionRunner executable.
+/// ActionRunner is used to work around WinUI3/MSIX packaging limitations where
+/// certain shell operations (like "Run as different user" or "Run as administrator")
+/// don't work properly from within a packaged app context.
+/// </summary>
+internal static class ActionRunnerHelper
+{
+    private const string ActionRunnerExeName = "PowerToys.ActionRunner.exe";
+
+    private static string? _cachedPath;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets the path to the ActionRunner executable.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <returns>The full path to ActionRunner.exe, or null if not found.</returns>
+    public static string? GetActionRunnerPath()
+    {
+        if (_cachedPath != null)
+        {
+            return _cachedPath;
+        }
+
+        _cachedPath = FindActionRunnerPath();
+        return _cachedPath;
+    }
+
+    private static string? FindActionRunnerPath()
+    {
+        // Use the standard PowerToys path resolver to find the installation directory.
+        // This handles registry lookups for installed versions and debug builds correctly.
+        var installPath = PowerToysPathResolver.GetPowerToysInstallPath();
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(installPath))
+        {
+            var actionRunnerPath = Path.Combine(installPath, ActionRunnerExeName);
+            if (File.Exists(actionRunnerPath))
+            {
+                return actionRunnerPath;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+}
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.vcxproj
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@
  </ItemGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '16.0'">v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '15.0'">v141</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset Condition="'$(VisualStudioVersion)' == '14.0'">v140</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <GenerateManifest>false</GenerateManifest>
    <DesktopCompatible>true</DesktopCompatible>
--- a/src/modules/colorPicker/ColorPicker/ColorPicker.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/colorPicker/ColorPicker/ColorPicker.vcxproj
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZones/FancyZones.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZones/FancyZones.vcxproj
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
  <!-- Props that are constant for both Debug and Release configurations -->
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
    <SpectreMitigation>Spectre</SpectreMitigation>
  </PropertyGroup>
--- a/src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZonesLib/FancyZonesLib.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZonesLib/FancyZonesLib.vcxproj
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZonesModuleInterface/FancyZonesModuleInterface.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZonesModuleInterface/FancyZonesModuleInterface.vcxproj
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
-    
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
--- a/Show More
+++ b/Show More
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
Gordon Lam (SH)	f37754cc61	fix: improve comment wording for spell check	2026-01-27 19:20:57 -08:00
Gordon Lam (SH)	9be06842c1	feat(cmdpal): implement ActionRunner for elevated process execution	2026-01-27 19:10:21 -08:00