Clicking the Windows key and immediately typing the program name is something I’ve done without thinking for years. It’s faster than pointing to the Start menu and scrolling through a long list of installed programs. But Windows Search has always given me the impression since I upgraded to Windows 11 that it’s trying to do too much to the way I use my computer. When I try to open the app as soon as possible, it wants to show web results, recent files and settings.
So I wanted to try out the Command Palette shortly after installing PowerToys for features like FancyZones and Always On Top. The first thing that struck me was its clean, Spotlight-like interface, which I’m already familiar with using my MacBook. It only took me a few weeks to get used to the pressing Win + Alt + Spaceand I have since redefined it Win + Space. Nowadays, I only press the Windows key when I want to access my pinned programs from the Start menu.
The Command Palette gets straight to the point
The app I’m looking for is always the first
Since the Command Palette doesn’t have a launch animation like Windows Search, it feels more immediate, but that’s not the only reason I say it’s faster. When I hit a keyboard shortcut, I almost always want to launch a program, not search the web or see files and settings jumbled with results. And that’s where the Command Palette comes in handy. I type a few letters and the program I’m trying to launch appears right at the top. I can press enter without looking at the results to make sure the web result is not highlighted.
Now, I’m not saying Windows Search is doing anything wrong by being more than just apps. I know many of you use it to find documents and settings, but I rarely use it. If I need to find a file, I just open File Explorer. Or if I want to search the web, I launch Chrome. Since the Command Palette prioritizes apps when I don’t add a prefix, the search experience is more focused and predictable. That’s what I want from a launcher most of the time, though Now I use the Command Palette for most things.
Launching apps is only the tip of the iceberg
At this point, I’m comfortable calling it a command center
If you want to use the Command Palette strictly as an app launcher, you absolutely can. In fact, that’s how I used it for the first week until I started messing around with the prefixes and realized it might fit what I needed. For example, I can enter a prefix to see a list of all open windows, type a few letters to narrow the results, and jump directly to the one I’m looking for without using my mouse. I can write too $ To make sure that the Command Palette only lists Windows settings instead of mixing other results. Then, there is = A prefix that I use for quick calculations instead of opening Calculator like in Windows Search.
If that’s not enough, the Command Palette also supports extensions. A number of extensions are already pre-installed, such as Clipboard history, which allows me to search for everything I copy directly from the search window. With the WinGet extension, I can install programs directly from the Command Palette without opening a Terminal and entering commands manually. You can install more extensions from the Extension Gallery. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Everything Enables the Command Palette Use the Everything search index instead of the slow Windows Search index. This extension only works if everything is already installed on your computer.
Windows Search has its wins
But they are not enough to bring me back
I won’t pretend that the team palette is better overall. Windows Search still has a few advantages, especially since it’s integrated into the Start menu. For example, I like being able to close and access programs by simply pressing the Windows key. Yes, one key is easier to press than two, and I wish I could bind the Windows key to the Command Palette. Windows Search does a better job of opening some obscure Settings pages.
As you’ve probably seen by now, there’s a bit of a learning curve with the Command Palette. Having to remember all the prefixes may not be everyone’s cup of tea and If you’re already comfortable with how Windows Search worksthere is no reason to change your workflow. But now that I’m used to the command palette, Windows Search is limited to a mix and match. I still occasionally hit the Windows key by accident, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I stop doing it completely.
This is now my favorite PowerToys feature
For the longest time FancyZones was my favorite feature in PowerToys, Always On Top was a close second. But Team Palette quickly surpassed both. I think that says everything you need to know about how much I enjoy it if I’m willing to throw away the Windows key in favor of something new after years of muscle memory. All I wanted was a faster app launcher, but now that I know how capable it is, going back to Windows Search just feels like a downgrade.
