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fm-sys d9709b2b91 Add non-updating mode for Crop-And-Lock (#40720 )

<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request

Adds a "screenshot" mode to Crop And Lock, which allows creating a
window showing a freezed snapshot of the original window.


<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist

- [x] **Closes:** #31799, #33071 (also requested in the already closed
duplicate issues #28633, #33812, #37337, )
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass (crop-and-lock utility
doesn't have any tests)
- [x] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [x] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [x] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
signing](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json)
for new binaries
- [ ] [WXS for
installer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/installer/PowerToysSetup/Product.wxs)
for new binaries and localization folder
- [ ] [YML for CI
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ci/templates/build-powertoys-steps.yml)
for new test projects
- [ ] [YML for signed
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/release.yml)
- [x] **Documentation updated:**
https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-dev-docs/pull/5528

<!-- Provide a more detailed description of the PR, other things fixed,
or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments
It was asked why this feature is needed at all, because it could be done
with snipping tool and just AoT that window as well. While this is true,
PowerToys goal always was to improve and speed up workflows. Instead of
capturing the screenshot, opening it, and then apply "Crop and Lock" or
"Always on Top" on the screenshots window, this PR aims to provide this
functionality in a single step.

Example use cases:
- _when I want to compare between two situations like previous output
result and current output result._ (#31799)
- _Allow cropping a section of a large code file (say top while working
at the bottom) as reference while working elsewhere in the file._
(#33071)
- _Can be useful for the work in the same document, like excel or word
where you are actively checking the data from the same document._
(#28633)
- _In lot's of older applications, if you need to get some information
or data from one dialog do another, but because of dialog modality it's
not possible to have both windows open at the same time._ (#33812)
- _nowadays quite a lot is happening inside the browser. Quite often, I
want to keep a small portion of the current website visible and switch
to e.g. the writing tool also running in a different tab in the same
browser window._ (#31799)


I've used win+ctrl+shift+s as the default activation shortcut, as it's
not yet used by other powertoys utilities, has similarity with the
normal win+shift+s shortcut hotkey and is consistent with the other Crop
and Lock shortcuts win+ctrl+shift+r (Reparent Mode) and win+ctrl+shift+t
(Thumbnail Mode).

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

Compatibility tested manually with a large set of applications I have
installed on my computer. However, automated tests don't really make
sense as there is not much business logic which could be tested.

---------

Co-authored-by: Niels Laute <niels.laute@live.nl>
Co-authored-by: vanzue <vanzue@outlook.com>

2026-01-06 21:08:17 +08:00

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Crop and Lock

Public overview - Microsoft Learn

Quick Links

All Issues
Bugs
Pull Requests

Overview

The Crop and Lock module in PowerToys allows users to crop a current application into a smaller window or create a thumbnail. This utility enhances productivity by enabling users to focus on specific parts of an application window.

Features

Thumbnail Mode

Creates a window showing the selected area of the original window. Changes in the original window are reflected in the thumbnail.

Reparent Mode

Creates a window that replaces the original window, showing only the selected area. The application is controlled through the cropped window.

Screenshot Mode

Creates a window showing a freezed snapshot of the original window.

Code Structure

Project Layout

The Crop and Lock module is part of the PowerToys solution. All the logic-related settings are in the main.cpp. The main implementations are in ThumbnailCropAndLockWindow and ReparentCropAndLockWindow. ChildWindow and OverlayWindow distinguish the two different modes of windows implementations.

Key Files

ThumbnailCropAndLockWindow.cpp: Defines the UI for the thumbnail mode.
OverlayWindow.cpp: Thumbnail module type's window concrete implementation.
ReparentCropAndLockWindow.cpp: Defines the UI for the reparent mode.
ChildWindow.cpp: Reparent module type's window concrete implementation.
ScreenshotCropAndLockWindow.cpp: Defines the UI for the screenshot mode.

Known Issues

Cropping maximized or full-screen windows in "Reparent" mode might not work properly.
Some UWP apps may not respond well to being cropped in "Reparent" mode.
Applications with sub-windows or tabs can have compatibility issues in "Reparent" mode.

Debug

build the entire project
launch the built Powertoys
select CropAndLock as the startup project in VS
In the debug button, choose "Attach to process".
Attach to CropAndLock.

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