windmenu

Spec sheet

Purpose

Windmenu is a minimalist Windows launcher inspired by dmenu.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Product

Windmenu is a minimalist Windows launcher described as a Windows dmenu-like launcher.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Support

The README documents troubleshooting commands including `windmenu doctor` and `windmenu test reparse-points`.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

License

The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Appearance

Users can configure the menu’s appearance and behavior, including a six-color theme.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Application discovery

Windmenu scans Windows Start Menu shortcuts in the background at startup.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Autostart

The project documents setting up login autostart through a Windows Startup-folder shortcut or registry Run key.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Config packs

Themes and commands can be imported from standalone pack files, and the maker links a separate repository of ready-made packs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Configuration packs

Themes and commands can be imported from standalone pack files; missing or broken imports are warned about and skipped.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Custom commands

Users can configure commands to run programs or simulate keyboard shortcuts.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Executable

The project describes windmenu as a single self-contained executable.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Hotkey

The default hotkey is Ctrl+Alt+Space, and the activation hotkey is configurable.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Hotkey launcher

It opens from a configurable keyboard shortcut, with Ctrl+Alt+Space as the default.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Installation

The project documents installation through a PowerShell script, ZIP download, Scoop, or Cargo.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Key combinations

Configured commands can use modifier, function, arrow, letter, number, and punctuation keys.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Layouts

The menu supports a vertical list layout and a horizontal single-row bar layout.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Layouts and appearance

It offers vertical and horizontal layouts, configurable dimensions, and six configurable theme colors.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Navigation

Users can navigate with arrow keys or Ctrl+J/Ctrl+K.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Requirements

The PowerShell installation method requires no administrator privileges; the Cargo method requires a Rust toolchain on Windows.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Security note

The maker warns that Windows Defender may flag the PowerShell `iex` installation command as suspicious.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Startup options

Automatic login startup can be set up with a Startup-folder shortcut or a Windows Registry Run key.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Troubleshooting

The `windmenu doctor` command reports which configuration file is loaded and can report auto-start status.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• Start Menu Customization Software#33 of 396.7