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// troubleshooting guide · microsoft powertoys

PowerToys Text Extractor Not Working

Status
Workaround available
platforms:
Windows 10, Windows 11
updated:
November 15, 2026
reports:
3
Method
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RUNBOOK · powertoys/text-extractor-not-working5 FIXES

// quick answer

Text Extractor (Win+Shift+T) only reads languages with a Windows OCR pack installed. Install the pack via PowerShell, set it as the Preferred language, and copy the OCR folder to C: if Windows is on another drive.

Most likely fix: Install the OCR language pack

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

  1. FIX 1Install the OCR language pack

    1. 01Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator
    2. 02Run: Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object { $_.Name -Like 'Language.OCR*' }
    3. 03Install yours, e.g. $Capability = Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object { $_.Name -Like 'Language.OCR*en-US*' }; $Capability | Add-WindowsCapability -Online
    Did this fix it?

  2. FIX 2Set the Preferred language

    1. 01PowerToys Settings > Text Extractor > Preferred language
    Did this fix it?

  3. FIX 3Fix the non-C drive case

    1. 01If Windows is on X:, copy X:\Windows\OCR to C:\Windows\OCR (Microsoft's documented fix)
    Did this fix it?

  4. FIX 4Check the shortcut

    1. 01Text Extractor settings > Activation shortcut
    2. 02Change it if another app uses Win+Shift+T
    Did this fix it?

  5. FIX 5Update or reinstall PowerToys

    1. 01Install the latest release; if it broke after an update, report on GitHub with diagnostics
    Did this fix it?

Symptoms

Win+Shift+T does nothing, shows 'No OCR languages are installed', or returns garbled text.

Why it happens

  • C-01No OCR language pack for your system language
  • C-02Windows installed on a drive other than C:
  • C-03Shortcut conflict or module disabled
  • C-04Bug after an update

// this guide also covers

  • powertoys text extractor not working
  • no ocr languages are installed
  • win shift t not working
  • text extractor not copying text

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