Make grouping/foldering left navigation menu items possible

[tadavid-cae]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

With the increasing number of awesome tools the main tool selector menu is started to get cumbersome. It would be nice to have some kind of grouping like:
We could have predefined categories like:

Input:
- Keyboard Manager
- Mouse utilities
- Quick Accent

Workflow:
- Awake
- Color Picker
- Power Toys Run
- Video Conference Mute
- Shortcut Guide

File System:
- File Locksmith
- File Explorer add-ons
- Hosts File Editor
- Image Resizer
- Power Rename

Window:
- Always On Top
- Screen Ruler
- Fancy Zones

In the future users should be able to create custom folders/groups.

Scenario when this would be used?

Find any tool fast.

Supporting information

No response

[crutkas]

@niels9001 do we actually have a tracking item for this? We've been thinking about it for a bit.

[niels9001]

@niels9001 do we actually have a tracking item for this? We've been thinking about it for a bit.

I think there might be seperate issues around the topic of the NavView.. @jaimecbernardo @Aaron-Junker do you know by any chance?

[Aaron-Junker]

@niels9001 do we actually have a tracking item for this? We've been thinking about it for a bit.

I think there might be seperate issues around the topic of the NavView.. @jaimecbernardo @Aaron-Junker do you know by any chance?

#20308 is a simmilar issue, but not really the same.

[crutkas]

FYI for a rough proposal (via @niels9001 doing an amazing mock)

[dtap001]

omg!!!! looking very good! <3

[crutkas]

Here is some mocks from @ethanfangg and working with everyone. We'd love your feedback! I want to call out @Aaron-Junker here too for helping come up with the basis of our current thinking here.

[AndrewKeepCoding]

This is great! 🤩
Here's what I have so far:

• What's the difference between using "&" and "/"? It seems that "&" is often used throughout the app.
• Adding the separator (line) between the scrollable section and the Welcome to PowerToys item is a good idea. This separator is missing in the current version.

[EaglePPP]

sounds super, how about also a modular download option? it's not powertoys anymore, more like power-heavy-machines now

[JaykeBird]

I got confused by the "Input/Output" at first, but that's probably my programmer brain just focusing too much lately on file I/O lol.

Those category groupings in that render look all really good to me! The only thing I'd wonder about is trying to move VCM to another category so that "Input/Output" one could be renamed to "Mouse and Keyboard" perhaps, but I wouldn't really know where to move VCM to - none of the other categories feel like a better fit than where it is right now.

Overall, I think this is very excellent and will help a lot with the organization and also discoverability.

[Aaron-Junker]

I got confused by the "Input/Output" at first, but that's probably my programmer brain just focusing too much lately on file I/O lol.

Those category groupings in that render look all really good to me! The only thing I'd wonder about is trying to move VCM to another category so that "Input/Output" one could be renamed to "Mouse and Keyboard" perhaps, but I wouldn't really know where to move VCM to - none of the other categories feel like a better fit than where it is right now.

Overall, I think this is very excellent and will help a lot with the organization and also discoverability.

@JaykeBird I had the exact opposite thoughts that you had on VCM. I renamed Mouse and Keyboard to Input/Output to put it there 😅

[PesBandi]

I love it, we really need this 🎉
My only question is: would this affect the Dashboard in any way?

[ak1dd]

How about this: PT has always been a pretty eclectic, disparate group of features - feels like "Windows labs". Many you'd use system wide, others you'd use upon occasion (Fancyzones vs. Image resize). some change existing features, some are completely standalone The suggestion in this thread seems intent to address this issue System Tools, Windowing, File Management... .

How about adding the ability for users to also select what is actually installed?

Why not have the dashboard show only the features chosen and installed by the user. A separate tab/page/section could have "Explore" that shows what could be installed additionally as the "Disabled Modules" does now.

Simplify, minimize and allow the user more control vs. monolithic install. I've always wanted the ability to only have what I want and not the vast majority of things I wouldn't. The PT team can still announce and showcase new additions in the UI.

[crutkas]

Next steps are #35621

[dtap001]

Here is some mocks from @ethanfangg and working with everyone. We'd love your feedback! I want to call out @Aaron-Junker here too for helping come up with the basis of our current thinking here.

Absolutely loving it! Perfect solution!