Microsoft’s new Spotlight-like launcher for Windows 10 will arrive in May

[Aika]

I thought this would be of interest to long-time Mac users who love Spotlight and Alfred. Wox has never been even a fraction as good as any of the top tier launchers on macOS but maybe with Microsoft behind this effort we can finally get a great launcher on Windows 10. I don't however understand why this is going to be a PowerTool and not a standard part of the OS.

Microsoft’s new Spotlight-like launcher for Windows 10 will arrive in May

A new PowerToy will bring Alfred-like features to Windows

www.theverge.com

Microsoft is currently building a new Spotlight-like launcher app for Windows 10. Designed to replace the existing Win + R shortcut, the new launcher will include options to quickly search apps and files across Windows and support for plugins like calculators, dictionaries, and search engines.

The software giant has been working on the launcher since January, and an initial public beta is planned for May. An early version of the launcher will support basic search tasks that are typically handled by the built-in Windows Start menu search functionality. But there are plans to make this a more powerful launcher that’s similar to Alfred on macOS and more functional than Apple’s Spotlight search.

 

[grmlin]

Ha, this is great. While Windows and Linux already have their ways to open applications by typing, I miss Spotlight...

 

[LeeW]

Never knew this was coming, looks really good to be fair. I don't understand the power toy thing though, what do you need for it to work when it comes?

 

[BigMcGuire]

I only use Win+R to open Control Panel but it looks like just hitting Windows Key then typing Control Panel works too. One thing that Win+R is necessary for is the old: control userpasswords2

But Windows Key then just start typing seems to be a good enough "launcher" for me. That's how I run every app on my Windows 10 -- just hit Windows key then type the app I want to run.

I welcome this ! I love spotlight on my Mac.

 

[Aika]

Never knew this was coming, looks really good to be fair. I don't understand the power toy thing though, what do you need for it to work when it comes?

You can install PowerToys now and the app can update itself: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/

 

[c0ppo]

I'm a big fan of Alfred. Spotlight is ok, but Alfred on mac is by far the best.
One little app I found for windows 10 that can replace somewhat Alfred is 'ueli'. Custom searches, emailing, custom shortcuts, fully customizable.

Great little app. And it's completely free.