Command Palette Archives

Winsage

January 9, 2026

The Secret Microsoft App That Improves How I Use Windows

PowerToys is a suite of utilities developed by Microsoft, available for free on GitHub and other platforms, which enhances the Windows user experience with frequently updated functionalities. Key utilities include: - Command Palette: A tool for launching applications, searching for files, and locating open windows, with a Bookmarks feature for quick access to folders and websites. - Light Switch: Allows users to toggle dark mode with a keyboard shortcut and schedule it based on fixed hours or local sunset times. - Peek: Enables quick file previews by pressing the Space bar, allowing seamless navigation through files. - Text Extractor: A utility for extracting text from images faster than Windows' built-in OCR, using the shortcut Windows + Shift + T. - Image Resizer: Simplifies the process of resizing images through a right-click option in File Explorer, offering preset sizes and custom resolutions. - Awake: Keeps PCs active beyond default sleep settings, allowing users to choose a duration for their systems to remain awake. - FancyZones: Provides custom window layouts for efficient workspace organization, allowing users to snap windows into designated zones.

Winsage

January 8, 2026

How to get started with PowerToys Command Palette on Windows 11 — an answer to macOS Spotlight for Windows PCs

The Command Palette is a feature in PowerToys for Windows 11 that allows advanced users to access applications, settings, and system tools quickly, similar to macOS Spotlight. To install it, users must install PowerToys via Command Prompt or the Microsoft Store. Configuration involves enabling the Command Palette, customizing activation shortcuts, and adjusting display settings. Users can search for applications, settings, and files, perform calculations, access clipboard history, and execute system commands. Keyboard modifiers enhance functionality, and users can create custom search shortcuts with community plugins. The Command Palette also includes a Registry browser extension for navigating the Windows Registry.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

10 Hacks Every Windows Power User Should Know

Windows is a widely used computing platform that integrates applications, synchronizes Microsoft Office documents, and provides a gaming environment. It has introduced the Command Palette, a keyboard launcher for accessing various functions, which can be enabled through PowerToys and accessed using the shortcut Windows + Alt + Space. Users can replace the default File Explorer with the Files app, which offers a better interface and features like tabs and dual-pane mode. The ExplorerPatcher app allows users to revert to the Windows 10 Taskbar, while Start 11 enables customization of the Start menu. Seelen UI provides a customizable menu bar and Dock for users transitioning from Mac. PowerToys includes Light Switch for automating dark mode transitions. Snap Layouts helps organize multiple windows, accessible via the Maximize button or Windows + Z shortcut. Winget is a package manager for installing applications with a single command, and UniGetUI offers a graphical interface for app management. Clipboard History can be accessed with Windows + V, and the Ditto app enhances clipboard functionality. Focus Sessions in the Clock app serve as a Pomodoro timer, and the Keyboard Manager in PowerToys allows users to create custom shortcuts and remap keys.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Microsoft finally has a better looking Run dialog for Windows 11

Microsoft is redesigning the Run dialog prompt in Windows, introducing a dark mode and a modernized interface that aligns with Windows 11 aesthetics. The revamped Run dialog resembles a contemporary launcher while retaining its core functionality, allowing users to access applications via commands. Users can toggle the new design on and off in the advanced system settings of Windows 11. Although no official announcement has been made, the modern Run prompt is expected to be included in upcoming builds. Additionally, Raycast has launched on Windows, offering a launcher, clipboard manager, and shortcut system, which may prompt further refinements to the Run dialog.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

5 Essential Windows Apps Everyone Should Be Using In 2025

Everything is a free application from Voidtools that indexes file and folder names quickly, allowing searches of up to a million files in a minute. It can index mapped network drives and supports Boolean operators and wildcards for advanced search needs. Flow Launcher is an open-source application that serves as a quick launcher and search utility, integrating with Everything for fast file searches and allowing users to open applications, search for files, and perform calculations from a single interface. NanaZip is an open-source archive manager derived from 7-Zip, supporting various archive formats and offering faster processing times, improved encryption, dark mode, and context menu integration. Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities for power users that includes tools like Command Palette, PowerRename, and FancyZones, available for free from the Microsoft Store. Ferdium is an open-source tool that consolidates web applications into a single platform, allowing users to manage multiple web apps within one window, supporting multiple instances of the same app and offering workspace management and a built-in To-do list panel.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

The 7 apps I always install first on a Windows 11 PC — and they’re all FREE

PowerToys is an open-source collection of utilities that enhances productivity for Windows 11 users, featuring tools like FancyZones for window management and Image Resizer. Google Chrome is a popular web browser known for its synchronization across devices. Steam is a primary gaming platform with a robust library and the ability to stream games to a Steam Deck. The Heroic Games Launcher is a third-party alternative to the Epic Games Launcher, offering customizable features and support for GOG and Amazon Games libraries. GIMP is a powerful open-source photo editing tool that provides advanced features without the cost of commercial software. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows seamless integration between Windows and Linux, supporting applications like Docker Desktop and Visual Studio Code. Spotify is used for audio entertainment, helping users maintain focus during work. Tools like Ninite, the Microsoft Store, and winget streamline the installation of applications on Windows 11, with winstall.app providing a user-friendly interface for generating installation scripts.

Winsage

September 29, 2025

I tried Google’s Windows 11 app, a macOS Spotlight moment for Windows with AI features

In mid-September 2025, Google unveiled the "Google app for Windows," currently in the experimental section of Google Labs, with no public release date announced. The app is available only to users in the U.S. and supports Windows 10 and 11. Users can install it by enabling a toggle in Google Search Labs and require a Personal Google Account for access. The app features a floating interface, allows standard Google searches, locates Google Drive files, and finds installed applications or local files. It includes Google Lens for image searches and translations, supports Rich Snippets, and has an AI mode for enhanced queries. The app consumes only 8.5MB of RAM and offers customizable settings for themes and keyboard shortcuts. Local file searches may not show newly downloaded files until a restart, while files uploaded to Google Drive are indexed instantly. The app's performance is compared to Microsoft's PowerToys Command Palette, which excels in speed but lacks AI capabilities. Minor issues include resizing difficulties and design inconsistencies.

Winsage

September 17, 2025

Stop struggling with Windows Search — try these 6 game‑changing alternatives

Windows 11's built-in search feature is often slow and inefficient, particularly with non-indexed locations and numerous files. It has a cluttered search home filled with advertisements. Several third-party tools are recommended as alternatives to enhance search functionality: - Command Palette: Part of PowerToys, it allows instant results for queries and supports command execution, quick navigation, and customization. - Fluent Search: Offers a comprehensive search experience with a native file indexer, rapid results, and OCR technology for searching visible content on screens. - Everything: Focuses on speed by indexing files and folders instantly, providing real-time results based on names, though it lacks additional features. - Listary: Integrates with Windows and File Explorer, allowing direct searches within these environments and offering customization for commands and automation. - Flow Launcher: A free, open-source app launcher that enhances search by integrating with the Everything indexer and includes built-in plugins for added functionality. - RayCast: An app launcher in beta for Windows, originally for macOS, featuring productivity tools and AI capabilities, allowing efficient task performance without a mouse. These tools cater to various user needs, improving the search experience on Windows 11.

Winsage

September 17, 2025

Google is testing its own official app on Windows that competes with my favorite PowerToys feature

PowerToys Run in Windows 11 is being compared to a new app launched by Google for Windows, which allows users to search without switching windows by pressing Alt + Space. This app can search across computer files, installed applications, Google Drive files, and the web, and includes Google Lens integration for selecting and searching screen content. The app is currently only available in the United States and offers enhanced AI-powered responses in AI Mode. It closely resembles PowerToys Run but provides specific advantages for users within the Google ecosystem. The app utilizes web access for Google Drive functionality, eliminating the need for a Windows client.

Winsage

September 5, 2025

Windows 11 still can’t do it — but PowerToys will be able to next month

Microsoft's PowerToys has been updated to version 0.94, introducing several new features, including a search feature in PowerToys Settings, a hotkey conflict detection system, an accessibility feature in Mouse Utilities, an upgraded installer for improved security, bug fixes for the Command Palette, a new option in the Hosts Editor, and support for Maltese in Quick Accent. A notable upcoming feature is the ability to automatically switch between light mode and dark mode based on a schedule, set to debut next month. Users can currently use the Auto Dark Mode app to switch modes based on specific times or sunrise and sunset, which has been updated to run natively on Windows on Arm devices. The Auto Dark Mode app also allows toggling modes based on whether the PC is plugged in, benefiting battery life on laptops with OLED displays.