How to Enable PowerToys Text Extractor in Windows 11
PowerToys Text Extractor is a free tool in Windows 11 that copies text from any part of your screen using optical character recognition. It reads letters straight from images, videos, and locked PDFs so you can paste the words anywhere without typing them out.
You turn on this feature inside the Microsoft PowerToys app by switching the Text Extractor toggle to the on position. Pressing the Win plus Shift plus T lets you drag a box around any content on your display to instantly copy its text to your clipboard.
Open PowerToys, select Text Extractor from the left menu, and toggle the “Enable Text Extractor” switch to On. You can then use the shortcut Win+Shift+T to capture text from your screen.
How to Turn Text Extractor On or Off
You can easily turn the PowerToys Text Extractor on or off right from the PowerToys app settings.
On the right side of the screen, find the Enable Text Extractor box. Click the switch to turn it On. To turn it off later, just click the switch back to Off.
How to Use Text Extractor
Using the PowerToys Text Extractor is simple: just press Win+Shift+T to start capturing text from your screen.
How to Install OCR Language Packs
OCR language packs for PowerToys Text Extractor let you copy text from images in languages other than English. To install them, open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region. Click ‘Add a language’, choose your language, make sure ‘Language pack’ is ticked, and click ‘Install’ so Windows can recognise the new characters.
1. Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region.
2. Click Add a language and select your preferred language.
3. Ensure the Language pack option is checked and click Install.
Your computer's supported languages appear in PowerShell, which is a command-line tool for Windows. You must run PowerShell as an administrator to see this language information.
[Windows.Media.Ocr.OcrEngine, Windows.Foundation, ContentType = WindowsRuntime]
Troubleshooting and Advanced Usage
Check your OCR configuration in the PowerToys settings menu. If you prefer a different shortcut, you can change it in the Text Extractor settings under Activation shortcut.
Summary
The PowerToys Text Extractor is a handy tool that lets you copy text from anywhere on your screen, like images or documents.
Why is Text Extractor not working on my screen?
If your PowerToys Text Extractor isn't working, check that the PowerToys app is running and that no other app is using the same shortcut.
Does PowerToys Text Extractor support non-English languages?
Yes, it supports many languages. It relies on the OCR language packs installed on your Windows system. If you need to extract text in a specific language, ensure that the corresponding language pack is fully downloaded and installed through your Windows Language & region settings menu.
Can I use Text Extractor on videos?
Yes, you can use it on videos. Simply pause the video at the frame containing the text you need. Activate the tool with the keyboard shortcut, draw a box around the text, and it will be copied to your clipboard just like text from a static image.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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