PowerToys Command Palette utility

PowerToys Command Palette puts everything you need just a keystroke away. Launch apps, run commands, search files, browse the web, manage system services, and more — all from a single, blazing-fast interface. Built for Windows power users, Command Palette is fully customizable, deeply extensible, and designed to keep you in your flow.

Press Win+Alt+Space and start typing. That's it.

Important

Command Palette must be enabled and running in the background. You can enable or disable it from the PowerToys settings Home page, and change the activation shortcut in Command Palette settings.

What you can do

Capability	How to use it
Launch apps	Start typing the name of any app and press Enter to launch it.
Run commands	Type > followed by a command (for example, > cmd or > Shell:startup).
Search files and folders	Navigate to Search files or type file followed by a space.
Search the web	Type ?? followed by your query to search with your default browser.
Calculate	Type a math expression like 23*47 or sqrt(256), or type = followed by a space.
Navigate Windows Settings	Type $ followed by a settings page name (for example, $ display).
Find and install apps with WinGet	Navigate to Search WinGet to discover and install apps.
Switch windows	Quickly switch between open windows without Alt+Tab.
Access clipboard history	Browse and paste from your recent clipboard entries.
Look up time and date	View the current time and date in various formats.
Manage Windows Services	Start, stop, or restart system services directly from the palette.
Open Windows Terminal profiles	Launch any configured Terminal profile or run commands in a specific profile.
Query the Windows Registry	Look up and manage Registry entries without opening regedit.
Connect to Remote Desktop	Start Remote Desktop sessions quickly.
Monitor system performance	Check CPU, memory, and other performance metrics at a glance.
Execute system commands	Restart your computer, empty the Recycle Bin, and more.
Access PowerToys modules	Jump to other PowerToys utilities directly from Command Palette.
Customize your look	Personalize with themes, backdrop effects, background images, and custom colors in Settings.

Dock

Pin your most-used commands to a persistent toolbar that stays visible on the edge of your screen. The Dock gives you one-click access to frequently used commands and extensions without opening the full Command Palette.

For more information, see Command Palette Dock.

Extensions

Command Palette is built to be extended. There's a large and growing ecosystem of extensions that add new commands, tools, and integrations to your workflow.

To learn more, see Finding and installing extensions and Extension development overview.

Related content

• Command Palette Settings
• Command Palette Dock
• Finding and installing extensions
• Extension development overview
• Extension samples