PowerToys Command Palette
PowerToys Command Palette is a customizable Windows interface for launching apps, running commands, searching files, browsing the web, and opening system too…
What PowerToys Command Palette is
PowerToys Command Palette is a customizable Windows interface for launching apps, running commands, searching files, browsing the web, and opening system tools. Its default shortcut is Win+Alt+Space, and it must be enabled and running in the background. Search includes apps, shell commands, files and folders, web queries in the default browser, and calculator expressions. The palette 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 its Home page or persistent edge Dock, with separate pinned bands on each display. Named bookmarks can open files, folders, URLs, or shell commands. Appearance settings include themes, backdrops, background images, and custom colors. 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 or newer on a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor.
Good
- Searches apps, files, folders, and the web
- Can launch system tools and Windows Terminal profiles
- Pins commands to Home or the Dock
- Supports community extensions through a built-in Gallery
Watch out
- Requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 or newer
- Requires a 64-bit x64 or ARM64 processor
- Must be enabled and running in the background
Who it suits
Command Palette suits Windows users who want one customizable place to launch apps, search, run commands, and reach system tools. It also fits users who want to pin frequently used commands or add community extensions.
Verdict
Command Palette gathers search, launching, and Windows utilities in a customizable interface. It is specifically for supported Windows systems and needs to be running for its default shortcut to work.
Plans and prices
From PowerToys Command Palette's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free, open-source PowerToys utilities for Windows |
The facts
Each one read from PowerToys Command Palette's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 12 Oct 2026
What it does
- 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.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Extension isolation
- Each extension runs in its own process and registers with Command Palette through its app manifest.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- A built-in Gallery lets users browse, install, update, and uninstall community extensions; extension management uses WinGet.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Gallery link limits
- The Extension Gallery surfaces HTTP and HTTPS links for extension homepages, authors, installation, and metadata.checked 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.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Keyboard shortcut
- The default activation shortcut is Win+Alt+Space, and Command Palette must be enabled and running in the background.checked 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.checked 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.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Support and feedback
- Users can search known issues, file issues, or report bugs through the PowerToys GitHub repository.checked 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.checked 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.checked 12 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
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