Every Microsoft Surface should have this tiny app that fixes a battery headache
A new third-party utility called Surface Charging Tray has been released to address battery management limitations on Microsoft Surface devices. The app, developed by keyokku and launched on May 9, 2026, fills a gap left by Microsoft’s own software offerings by providing convenient access to charging modes and power settings.
Surface Charging Tray operates as a system tray application, allowing users to quickly switch between different charging modes on their Surface devices with a single click. The app also supports configurable keyboard shortcuts for even faster access to power management features. Beyond charging modes, the utility integrates Windows Power mode options, giving users comprehensive control over their device’s power settings from a convenient system tray interface.
The tool represents the latest example of Surface enthusiasts developing solutions to address functionality gaps in Microsoft’s ecosystem. While the community has previously filled hardware-related gaps through creative solutions like 3D-printed accessories, Surface Charging Tray demonstrates the software side of this trend.
The app was detailed by its developer on both GitHub and Reddit, making it accessible to the Surface user community. By consolidating battery management and power mode controls in an easily accessible tray application, Surface Charging Tray aims to improve the user experience for those managing multiple power profiles or frequently adjusting charging settings on their Surface devices.