I've never been a fan of the Start menu in Windows 11 because it always felt like a mix of what I want and what Microsoft thinks I want. The Recommendations section, for example, was supposed to help me get back to recently opened files and apps, but I never really found it helpful. Most of the time, I know exactly what to open before I bring up the Start menu, so I just need to type a few letters, hit Enter, and move on. On top of that, I never liked how Windows mixed web results into my searches, which only added to the clutter.

To Microsoft's credit, it has made several improvements to the Start menu recently, giving users more customization options than ever before. However, ever since I started experimenting with Command Palette in PowerToys a few weeks ago, I haven't felt the need to open the Start menu. It's just simpler, faster, and better aligned with how I search for files and apps on Windows. In fact, it's even better than PowerToys Run, which I tried previously, because it feels less like a launcher and more like a command center for Windows.

Command Palette feels far less cluttered

I'm not distracted by recommendations or web results

When I bring up Command Palette by pressing the keyboard shortcut (Windows + Alt + Space by default), I'm presented with a much more streamlined interface. There are no recommendations taking up unnecessary space, and instead, I'm shown a collection of commands and actions that help me learn my way around the tool quickly. More importantly, I can blindly type in the name of an app and hit Enter without worrying about Windows opening Edge and showing me Bing results.

With Command Palette, I'm getting a focused experience, which is exactly what I want from a launcher. Unlike the Start menu, it's not trying to be several things at once. That may not seem like an advantage at first glance, but when I don't have to think about what category a result falls under or wonder whether Windows is about to show me something from the web, searching just feels more predictable. And considering how frequently I search for files and apps, that consistency matters more than anything else.

I use it for more than just launching apps

From window switching to running commands and registry searches

I started using Command Palette for a more consistent search experience, but it has quickly become more than just a launcher, thanks to everything Microsoft has packed into it to please power users. For starters, I use it to switch between open windows quickly without lifting my hand off the keyboard. Earlier, I'd use my mouse to click the app from the taskbar. With Command Palette, I just need to enter the prefix and then type the name of the window and jump right in.

I also use it to run commands without opening the Run dialog box, browse Registry keys without launching Registry Editor, and perform quick calculations without opening Calculator. The best part about Command Palette, though, is its extension support. For instance, its WinGet integration lets me install apps directly from the search box without having to open Terminal and type commands manually. There are also a bunch of extensions you can install from the gallery. My favorite is Everything, which integrates Everything's search index directly into Command Palette. As someone who's never been a fan of Windows Search indexing, that's a huge win for me.

I do miss the Start menu's pinned apps, though

But that's one trade-off I don't mind making for everything else it offers

If there's one thing the Windows 11 Start menu did right, it's pinned apps. It's nice being able to press the Windows key and immediately see some of my favorite apps in front of me without having to type anything. When I can't remember the name of an app off the top of my head, like PBO2 tuner or some monitoring tool, for example, the Pinned section comes in clutch.

That said, for the apps I frequently use, like Edge and Photoshop, I used to type their names into the Start menu anyway. I can do the same thing with Command Palette, with the only difference being that I have to press a keyboard shortcut instead of the Windows key. And considering it just feels faster as a launcher, while still offering additional functionality through its prefixes, I don't mind giving up pinned apps. And it's not like I can't access the Start menu if I really need to for that purpose.

This feels like a power user's Start menu

As much as I love Command Palette, I don't think it'll be everyone's cup of tea. If you have no major complaints with the Start menu, you'd likely be better off with it, especially now that Microsoft lets you turn off unwanted sections and customize it. But for a power user like me, this is exactly the kind of experience I've always wanted from a launcher. The transition was easy for me since I'm already familiar with Spotlight search on macOS, but even if you're not, I don't think Command Palette takes long to learn. The Start menu is fine, but it's hard to go back once you get used to a streamlined search experience and niche features that genuinely save you time.