Command Palette Archives

Winsage

June 17, 2025

I hope this PowerToys redesign becomes a reality — it’s too easy to get lost in the app

PowerToys is evolving with new features for Windows 11 users, including a proposed redesign shared by software engineer Niels Laute on the PowerToys GitHub page. The new dashboard layout aims to enhance user experience by making essential tools more accessible and aligns with the aesthetics of Windows 11. Despite its versatility, many features of PowerToys are not well-known and require users to explore further. The envisioned dashboard seeks to highlight these lesser-known functionalities and simplify navigation. The concept is still in early development stages, indicating that significant changes may take time to implement.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

I’ve used a lot of Windows launchers, but this is the best one by far

Flow Launcher is a desktop productivity tool for Windows 11 that excels in speed, opening instantly with a keyboard shortcut and providing audio cues. It features an extensive library of plugins, allowing users to enhance functionality with ease, including pre-installed plugins for searching bookmarks, managing files, and executing system commands. The plugin store offers a variety of extensions, catering to diverse needs, including tools for OneNote, Spotify, and gaming. Flow Launcher is highly customizable, enabling users to adjust extension functions, search result priorities, and activation shortcuts. It also allows the creation of custom hotkeys for quick access to frequently used tools, such as an enhanced clipboard history.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

5 Windows terminal tricks I use to improve my productivity

Windows Terminal is a productivity tool in Windows 11 that allows users to manage multiple profiles, such as Windows PowerShell and Linux distributions, within the same window. Users can rename and recolor tabs for easier navigation. The Command Palette, activated by Ctrl+Shift+P, provides a searchable interface for commands, simplifying execution without needing to memorize shortcuts. Focus mode hides the title bar and tabs for distraction-free use and can be set as the default launch option. The split pane feature enables users to display multiple profiles simultaneously, enhancing multitasking. Quake mode keeps the terminal visible at the top of the screen, minimizing distractions and allowing easy access to other applications.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Screw the Windows Search Bar, and Use Command Palette Instead

Mac users utilize Spotlight for searching applications, files, calculations, and web browsing, while Windows users have the Search Bar, which is less versatile. Command Palette is a new keyboard launcher for Windows, replacing PowerToys Run, allowing users to execute commands, search the web, find files, and create custom bookmarks with global keyboard shortcuts. Command Palette is part of PowerToys, which can be downloaded from GitHub, the Microsoft Store, or via the Windows Package Manager. After installing PowerToys version 0.9 or higher, users can enable Command Palette in the settings and customize its keyboard shortcut. Users can search for files by selecting the File search option and typing the desired term, and they can switch between open windows and execute commands in the Terminal. The hidden package manager WinGet allows users to install applications via Command Palette without opening the Terminal. Users can also enhance Command Palette with third-party extensions, which are currently limited but may expand in the future.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

6 PowerToys tools that quietly make my day ten times easier on Windows

Microsoft's PowerToys suite includes several productivity-enhancing tools for Windows 11 users: - Keyboard Manager: Allows users to create custom shortcuts and swap keyboard layouts, such as changing the positions of the Y and Z keys on a QWERTZ layout. - Quick Accent: Simplifies typing accented characters by providing a flyout menu for selecting accents when holding down a letter and pressing Space. - New+: Introduces a template folder for storing frequently used documents, enabling quick generation of new files. - Workspaces: Lets users save and launch a specific layout of applications simultaneously, streamlining workflow. - PowerToys Run/Command Palette: Provides quick access to applications and commands through keyboard shortcuts, allowing for instant launching and execution of commands. - FancyZones: Enhances window management by allowing users to create custom layouts for snapping applications into designated zones on their screens.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

3 reasons I prefer managing packages with WinGet over Chocolatey now

Package managers streamline software installation and management on PCs, with WinGet being Microsoft's user-friendly solution for Windows 11. Unlike Chocolatey, which requires complex setup, WinGet is ready to use out of the box after accepting license terms. It integrates with PowerToys, allowing users to execute commands via the Command Palette without opening a Terminal. Additionally, WinGet manages applications from the Microsoft Store, providing a comprehensive experience that can yield more relevant search results. While Chocolatey has a larger repository and advanced features for professionals, WinGet is more accessible for average users.

Winsage

April 28, 2025

This PowerToys tool gave me unlimited power on Windows 11 and I almost fell in love

The Windows 11 Command Palette from PowerToys serves as a centralized command hub, allowing users to execute system commands, settings, and application launches through a unified search bar. Users can customize the palette by integrating third-party tools and adding their own commands. WinGet can be accessed from the interface to install software packages easily. However, there are issues with the Command Palette not launching consistently, requiring users to disable and re-enable it to fix the shortcut. Some preinstalled commands are deemed unhelpful, but users can disable them in the settings. Overall, the Command Palette enhances workflow efficiency by simplifying access to various tasks.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

How to Set Up Windows Terminal with WSL, PowerShell, and CMD for Maximum Productivity

Windows Terminal is a unified interface that allows users to access multiple command-line environments, such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), from a single application. It features a tabbed interface for running multiple sessions and supports split panes for side-by-side work. Windows Terminal is pre-installed on Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, while Windows 10 users can download it from the Microsoft Store. Users can add profiles for different shells, customize themes and appearance, configure startup actions, and define custom keybindings. The application enhances productivity by consolidating command-line tools and providing an organized workspace.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Powertoys 0.90: Command palette allows quick program start

Microsoft has released version 0.90.0 of Windows Powertoys, featuring the new "Command Palette" that allows users to quickly search for and launch applications by pressing the Windows key, Alt, and the space bar. The update also includes minor bug fixes, improvements to the color picker, and enhancements to the New+ function for creating predefined files and directories with variable support. Users can check for updates directly within Powertoys. The new installation packages for Powertoys 0.90.0 are available for download in both user and system-wide installations for x64 and ARM64.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

The near-essential Windows PowerToys suite just got a brand new tool

PowerToys version 0.90.0 introduces the Command Palette, also known as "CmdPal," which enhances the previous PowerToys Run feature by allowing users to launch applications and perform tasks efficiently using the shortcut Win+Alt+Space. The update also includes improvements to the Color Picker, Peek feature enhancements that allow file deletion, and new customization options for template filenames. The update is available for download on the PowerToys GitHub page.