Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.100.2, a targeted patch that resolves a memory leak draining the Command Palette and Performance Monitor dock. The update reverts a recent refresh mechanism and stabilizes network tracking by reusing existing list items instead of dynamically generating new ones on every metric update. This free, open-source Windows utility suite continues to deliver a modular collection of over 30 productivity tools that fill persistent gaps in the native operating system.
Microsoft PowerToys v0.100.2 Drops to Patch Command Palette Memory Leak
The latest update targets a specific drain issue in the Performance Monitor dock while keeping the rest of the 30-tool suite running smoothly.
Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.100.2, and the headline fix is a memory leak that started causing headaches in the Command Palette and Performance Monitor dock. If you upgraded to the previous version this past week, you probably noticed some sluggishness. Now you know why.
PowerToys has been free since it returned for Windows XP. At this point, it acts as an unofficial Windows power user companion pack. You enable FancyZones, toggle Always On Top, and let the Color Picker do its thing. The modular design means each utility runs independently, so a patch to one dock rarely cascades into system-wide crashes. This release proves Microsoft still has the maintenance rhythm down.
Inside the Fix
The Command Palette framework got a performance monitor dock refresh change that forced item refreshes on every metric update. Microsoft reverted that move in pull request #48835. The actual leak fix came from reusing stable network upload and download band items instead of spinning up new list elements with each refresh. It's a straightforward patch for a straightforward problem, but it stops the memory from chewing through your RAM while you're monitoring network stats.
PowerToys originally shipped alongside Windows 95. It vanished for years. Microsoft revived it for Windows XP and never looked back. The current 136,000-plus GitHub stars tell you how seriously developers take this tool. Completely free. No subscription tiers. Just a Microsoft-backed utility suite that somehow became essential for anyone managing complex Windows workflows.
Keep in mind that PowerToys still ships with an MIT license, which means the community can keep poking at the code between official drops. The project checks for updates automatically when running, but you can also trigger a manual check from the Settings menu if the background updater gets stuck.
Grab the Update
You can grab the patch directly from GitHub. Head here to review the exact pull requests and report any lingering issues to the project's GitHub repository.
