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PowerToys Command Palette

Free plan Windows

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PowerToys Command Palette's own site

What PowerToys Command Palette is

PowerToys Command Palette is a free interface for finding and launching apps, running commands, searching files, browsing the web, and reaching Windows tools. Enable it and keep it running in the background to open it with the default Win+Alt+Space shortcut. Search covers shell commands, files and folders, web queries in the default browser, and calculator expressions. From the palette, users can navigate Windows Settings, find and install apps with WinGet, switch windows, open clipboard history, and manage Windows services. It can also launch Windows Terminal profiles, query the Registry, connect to Remote Desktop, show performance metrics, and run system commands.

Users can pin commands to the Home page or to the persistent edge Dock, which supports separate pinned bands on each display. Named bookmarks can open files, folders, URLs, or shell commands. Appearance choices include themes, backdrops, background images, and custom colors. A built-in Gallery lets users browse and manage community extensions. These are standalone .NET applications that run separately and communicate with Command Palette through a WinRT API. PowerToys requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later on a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor.

Who it suits

Command Palette suits Windows users who want one keyboard-accessible place to launch apps, search files, run commands, and reach system tools. It also fits users who want to pin frequently used commands or add capabilities through community extensions.

What it does well

  • Searches apps, files, folders, web queries, and calculator expressions.
  • Can install apps through WinGet and manage Windows services.
  • Pins commands to Home or a persistent Dock.
  • Supports community extensions through a built-in Gallery.
  • Free and open-source as part of PowerToys.

What to know first

  • Requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 or later.
  • Must be enabled and running in the background to use its shortcut.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
FreeFree, open-source PowerToys utilities for WindowsFree

As learn.microsoft.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit the PowerToys Command Palette overview website.
  2. Use a Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 or newer device with a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor.
  3. Enable Command Palette and leave it running in the background.
  4. Press Win+Alt+Space to open it.

Verdict

Choose PowerToys Command Palette if you want a free Windows launcher that combines search, commands, system tools, bookmarks, and extensions. Look elsewhere if you need a platform other than Windows.

Questions

How much does PowerToys Command Palette cost?

It is free. The listed Free plan costs nothing.

Which platforms does it support?

It supports Windows 11 and Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later on 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processors.

What can I search for or launch?

It supports apps, shell commands, files and folders, web searches through the default browser, and calculator expressions. It also provides access to Windows tools and system functions.

Does it support extensions?

Yes. A built-in Gallery lets users browse, install, update, and uninstall community extensions. Extensions run in separate processes and communicate through a WinRT API.

Is Command Palette open source?

It is included among the free, open-source PowerToys utilities for Windows.

How do I open it?

Its default shortcut is Win+Alt+Space. Command Palette must be enabled and running in the background.

Facts from PowerToys Command Palette's own pages

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. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
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. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Extension isolation
Each extension runs in its own process and registers with Command Palette through its app manifest. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Extensions
A built-in Gallery lets users browse, install, update, and uninstall community extensions; extension management uses WinGet. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan
Yes · learn.microsoft.com, 19 Sept 2026
Gallery link limits
The Extension Gallery surfaces HTTP and HTTPS links for extension homepages, authors, installation, and metadata. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
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. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Keyboard shortcut
The default activation shortcut is Win+Alt+Space, and Command Palette must be enabled and running in the background. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Platform requirements
PowerToys requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or newer on a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Search and commands
It supports app launching, shell commands, file and folder search, web search through the default browser, and calculator expressions. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Support and feedback
Users can search known issues, file issues, or report bugs through the PowerToys GitHub repository. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
System functions
It can open Windows Terminal profiles, query the Registry, connect to Remote Desktop, display performance metrics, and run system commands. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
What it does
Command Palette is a customizable interface for launching apps, running commands, searching files, browsing the web, and reaching Windows tools. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Windows tools
It can navigate Windows Settings, search for and install apps with WinGet, switch windows, access clipboard history, and manage Windows services. · learn.microsoft.com, 12 Oct 2026

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