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SPECIFICTION
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PowerToys Command Palette

learn.microsoft.com

Free plan Windows
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Spec score 7.7 #20 of 40 in App launchers

What it is

PowerToys Command Palette is a free Windows interface for launching applications, running commands, searching files, browsing the web and reaching Windows tools. Enable it and keep it running in the background, then use Win+Alt+Space by default. Search covers apps, shell commands, files and folders, web searches through the default browser, and calculator expressions. The interface can navigate Windows Settings, find and install apps with WinGet, switch windows, open clipboard history, manage services, launch Windows Terminal profiles, query the Registry, connect to Remote Desktop, show performance metrics and run system commands. Commands can be pinned to Home or to the persistent edge Dock, with separate pinned bands on each display. Named bookmarks open files, folders, URLs or shell commands. Themes, backdrops, background images and custom colors control appearance. A built-in Gallery manages community extensions, which run in separate processes and communicate through a WinRT API. PowerToys requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or newer on 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processors. Diagnostic data is optional and off by default in version 0.86 and later.

Spec sheet

What it does
Command Palette is a customizable interface for launching apps, running commands, searching files, browsing the web, and reaching Windows tools.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Free plan
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Privacy
PowerToys diagnostic data is optional and off by default in version 0.86 and later; documented Command Palette events include launches, queries, command execution, extension usage, and session metrics.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bookmarks and appearance
Bookmarks can launch files, folders, URLs, or shell commands by name, and appearance settings include themes, backdrops, background images, and custom colors.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Extension integrations
Extensions are standalone .NET applications that communicate through a WinRT API and can provide commands, context menu items, lists, detail pages, forms, markdown, and grid pages.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Extension isolation
Each extension runs in its own process and registers with Command Palette through its app manifest.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Extensions
A built-in Gallery lets users browse, install, update, and uninstall community extensions; extension management uses WinGet.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Gallery link limits
The Extension Gallery surfaces HTTP and HTTPS links for extension homepages, authors, installation, and metadata.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Home and Dock
Users can pin commands to the Home page or to a persistent edge toolbar called the Dock, which supports separate pinned bands on each display.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Keyboard shortcut
The default activation shortcut is Win+Alt+Space, and Command Palette must be enabled and running in the background.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Platform requirements
PowerToys requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or newer on a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Search and commands
It supports app launching, shell commands, file and folder search, web search through the default browser, and calculator expressions.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Support and feedback
Users can search known issues, file issues, or report bugs through the PowerToys GitHub repository.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
System functions
It can open Windows Terminal profiles, query the Registry, connect to Remote Desktop, display performance metrics, and run system commands.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Windows tools
It can navigate Windows Settings, search for and install apps with WinGet, switch windows, access clipboard history, and manage Windows services.Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free, open-source PowerToys utilities for Windows Read 12 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com

Every PowerToys Command Palette plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free, open-source PowerToys utility
  • Searches apps, files, web and commands
  • Accesses Windows settings and administration tools
  • Home and Dock support pinned commands
  • Gallery manages community extensions

Limits

  • Windows-only platform
  • Must run in the background
  • Requires Windows 10 version 2004 or newer
  • Extensions run as separate .NET processes

Who it suits

Command Palette suits Windows users who want one keyboard-driven place for apps, files, commands and system tools. It also suits users who want pinned shortcuts and community extensions.

Verdict

Command Palette brings application search, command execution and Windows administration into one customizable interface. It is useful when its Windows-only requirements and background process fit your setup.

Where Specifiction places it

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