UPDATE: Microsoft has just announced significant performance upgrades to its Command Palette feature, enhancing its appeal as a potential competitor to Flow Launcher. Released earlier this month, the latest update promises a staggering 40% boost in load times and a 70% improvement for built-in extensions, all while using fewer system resources.
The Command Palette, an evolution of PowerToys Run, aims to streamline user experience on Windows by enabling quicker access to applications and functions. The improved performance comes after users have expressed interest in a robust alternative to Flow Launcher, which has dominated the launcher space for years.
After testing the revamped Command Palette, it’s clear that while the updates show promise, it still faces challenges in matching Flow Launcher’s responsiveness. Users will notice that launching the search bar is now instantaneous, allowing for immediate typing. However, some delays remain in result loading, particularly when altering search queries.
Users have reported a frustrating infinite loading loop when attempting to use the Extensions command to search for new plugins, which detracts from the overall experience. Nevertheless, the update has introduced several useful extensions, like EverythingCmdPal, which integrates the powerful Everything search engine into Command Palette, and Video Downloader for downloading YouTube content.
While Microsoft is building a library of plugins, it still lags behind Flow Launcher’s extensive ecosystem, which features tools for smart home control and gaming databases. The competition is set to intensify with the upcoming beta release of Raycast for Windows, which has generated buzz for its advanced features and interface.
Despite its current limitations, Command Palette stands out with its default Clipboard History plugin, offering more functionality right out of the box compared to Flow Launcher’s third-party options.
Microsoft continues to enhance PowerToys, making it a compelling package for Windows users. However, if you’re looking for a dedicated launcher right now, Flow Launcher remains the preferred choice.
As Microsoft ramps up its efforts, tech enthusiasts will need to keep an eye on upcoming developments, particularly the eventual rollout of Raycast for Windows. For now, those seeking efficiency should consider using both Command Palette and Flow Launcher together to maximize their productivity.
Stay tuned for more updates as Microsoft works to bridge the gap between its offerings and those of its competitors.
