PowerToys Run Overview
PowerToys Run is a quick launcher for power users that has additional capabilities without sacrificing performance. It is open source and modular for additional plugins. Press Alt+Space and start typing! If that shortcut isn't what you like, don't worry, it is fully configurable in the settings.
- Windows 10 version 1903 or higher
Search for applications, folders, or files
Search for running processes (previously known as WindowWalker)
Clickable buttons with keyboard shortcuts
Invoke Shell Plugin using "> "
Do a simple calculation using calculator
| Settings | Action |
|---|---|
| Open PowerToys Run shortcut | The keyboard shortcut to open/hide PowerToys Run |
| Ignore shortcuts in Fullscreen mode | When you are in full-screen Run won't be engaged with the shortcut |
| Maximum number of results | Maximum number of results shown without scrolling on PowerToys Run |
| Clear the previous query on launch | When launched, it will be blank rather than highlighting previous search |
| Disable drive detection warning | The warning, if all your drives aren't indexed, will no longer be visible |
| Shortcuts | Action |
|---|---|
| Alt+Space | Open or hide PowerToys Run |
| Esc | Hide PowerToys Run |
| Ctrl+Shift+Enter | (Only applicable to applications) Open the selected application as administrator |
| Ctrl+Shift+E | (Only applicable to applications and files) Open containing folder in File Explorer |
| Ctrl+C | (Only applicable to folders and files) Copy path location |
| Tab | Navigate through the search result and context menu buttons |
These will force PowerToys run into only targeted plug-ins.
| Action key | Action |
|---|---|
= |
Calculator only. Example =2+2
|
? |
File searching only. Example ?road to find roadmap.md |
. |
Installed app searching only. Example .code to get Visual Studio Code |
// |
URLs only. Example //microsoft.com to have your default browser go to https://microsoft.com
|
< |
Running processes only. Example <outlook to find all processes that contain outlook |
> |
Shell command only. Example >ping localhost to do a ping query |
If you're indexer settings are not set to cover all drives, you will receive the following warning:
You can turn off the warning in settings or click the warning to expand drives that are being indexed! Once you click the warning you will be met with the following screen
Click the "Enhanced" mode to enable indexing across your whole PC. Additionally, feel free to add any excluded folders! Finally, if you scroll to the bottom, there's an option to open "Advanced Settings" where you can truly specify what to index
For a list of all known issues/suggestions, check it out here.