Flow Launcher
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source search and app launcher for Windows 10 and later.
What Flow Launcher is
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source search and app launcher for Windows 10 and later. A customizable hotkey opens its search window; the default is Alt+Space. From there, users can find and launch apps, search for files and file contents using Everything or Windows Search, browse the Internet with a preferred search engine, and look up bookmarks from different browsers. Built-in tools include system and shell commands, a calculator, and search for Windows and Control Panel settings. Its plugin store adds search capabilities, with listings for integrations such as Spotify, Steam, Obsidian, and GitHub notifications. The maker says community plugins can be written in C#, F#, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript. Users can select themes, animation, and sound, or build a theme. Flow Launcher is available as an installer EXE, a portable ZIP, or through winget, Scoop, or Chocolatey. The project is published under the MIT License. The plugin manifest repository says submitted plugins are scanned and regularly rescanned with VirusTotal.
Good
- Customizable hotkey opens the search window.
- Searches apps, files, and file contents.
- Built-in calculator and system commands.
- Offers installer, portable ZIP, and package-manager options.
- Published under the MIT License.
Watch out
- Supports Windows 10 and later only.
- File and content search uses Everything or Windows Search.
Who it suits
Flow Launcher suits Windows users who want a keyboard-accessible way to find apps, files, settings, and bookmarks. Its plugins and theme options may also suit users who want to extend or customize the launcher.
Verdict
Flow Launcher brings app, file, and web search together with system tools and community plugins. It is limited to Windows, but offers several installation options and customization settings.
Plans and prices
From Flow Launcher's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Launcher | Free | Free and open-source software |
The facts
Each one read from Flow Launcher's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- App and file search
- It searches and launches apps and can find files and file contents using Everything or Windows Search.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Platform requirement
- The maker says Flow Launcher supports Windows 10 and later.checked 9 Oct 2026
What it does
- Bookmarks
- It can search bookmarks from different browsers.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can choose themes, animation, and sound or build their own theme.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker offers an installer EXE, a portable ZIP, and installation through winget, Scoop, or Chocolatey.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Hotkey
- A customizable hotkey opens the search window; the default is Alt+Space.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Open source license
- The project repository publishes the software under the MIT License.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Plugin development
- The maker says users can write community plugins in C#, F#, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The plugin store adds search capabilities, and its listings include integrations such as Spotify, Steam, Obsidian, and GitHub notifications.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Plugin security
- The plugin manifest repository says submitted plugins are scanned and regularly rescanned with VirusTotal, while its policy excludes malicious code and other prohibited content.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Flow Launcher is a quick file search and app launcher for Windows.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The maker links to project documentation, GitHub, and community-made plugins from its site.checked 9 Oct 2026
- System tools
- Built-in features include system commands, shell commands, a calculator, and search for Windows and Control Panel settings.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Web search
- It lets users browse the Internet with their favorite search engine.checked 9 Oct 2026
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