Magnifier Powertoy for Windows 1.0.0001

Magnifier is one of the several so called “PowerToys” for Windows XP, available at the download section of the Microsoft Corporation Web site. These PowerToys are little applications that add a specific functionality to the operating system.

Magnifier works as an extra toolbar on the Windows taskbar, just like the QuickLaunch bar or the Language bar. After installation users need to activate it in order for it to work. Pressing the right button of the mouse will open the taskbar menu including the toolbars submenu. In that submenu will be listed Magnifier. Once activated users will see a new rectangle and the word “Magnifier”; that rectangle is precisely the place where the magnified image of the screen will be displayed. In order to deactivate Magnifier users have to repeat the same procedure.

This tool also has a popup menu that users can see by right-clicking on the Magnifier. This menu offers three options: follow mouse cursor (on/off); follow keyboard focus (on/off); and zoom (1, 2, 4, and 8). In order to enhance the magnified area users can unlock the taskbar and make it bigger. It’s necessary to have Magnifier running before doing that; otherwise, the magnified area will be the same.