PowerToys Run can replace the Start menu, and for a growing number of power users the switch feels less like a tweak and more like a fundamental productivity upgrade.
Overview
PowerToys Run is a lightweight, keyboard-first launcher included in Microsoft PowerToys that surfaces apps, files...
A prominent tech writer has publicly abandoned the Windows 11 Start menu in favor of Flow Launcher, an open‑source, keyboard‑first app launcher — and in doing so rekindled a long‑running debate about how Windows should expose search, system commands, and shortcuts to power users. The transition...
alt+space
chocolatey
enterprise deployment
everything search
files and apps search
flow launcher
flow launcher plugins
keyboard launcher
media control
open source
package managers
pluginecosystem
power users
privacy and security
scoop
spotify plugin
windows start menu
winget
Microsoft's gradual reinvention of the PowerToys launcher is becoming a serious contender — the Command Palette in PowerToys 0.93 brings measurable performance wins, a cleaner settings dashboard, and a handful of useful built‑in modules — but in practical, day‑to‑day responsiveness and the...
Windows 11 has steadily evolved into a visually polished and highly customizable operating system, yet for the truly adventurous, there’s always a deeper level of personalization available. Power users often outgrow simple tweaks like wallpaper swaps and accent color changes, yearning instead...
advanced customization
custom launchers
desktop customization
desktop widgets
digital workspace
lighting sync
operating system
pluginecosystem
power users
shell replacement
system monitoring
system tools
taskbar overhaul
tech tinkering
ui modification
user interface design
windows 11
windows customization
workspace management
xoblite
The Windows desktop landscape has long been dominated by the Start menu—an iconic feature since Windows 95—serving as both a launchpad for applications and a central touchpoint for system navigation. Yet, in recent years, a new breed of power users, productivity enthusiasts, and keyboard...
customization
desktop optimization
enhanced efficiency
fast search
flow launcher
keyboard launcher
keyboard shortcuts
listary
open source
pluginecosystem
powertoys
productivity
start menu alternatives
system utilities
third-party tools
ueli
windows
windows 11
windows workflow
workflow automation
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital note-taking, users today are faced with an abundance of choices tailored to different priorities—some are drawn to open-source (FOSS) solutions for privacy and control, while others gravitate toward the simplicity and polish of commercial offerings. But...
automation
backup solutions
collaboration
cross-platform
data privacy
digital organization
git
joplin
markdown
note app integration
note history
note-taking
notes backup
obsidian
open source
personal knowledge management
pluginecosystem
self-hosting
tech workflow
version control
Few pieces of software command as much quiet respect among Windows users as Notepad++. As an open-source editor rooted deeply in the Windows environment, its ongoing development continues to exemplify a rare blend of technical robustness, practical utility, and community-minded adaptability that...
code editor
customization
developer tools
energy efficiency
enterprise deployment
file management
lightweight software
modern ui
notepad++
open source
open source community
performance optimization
pluginecosystem
productivity tools
programming
software update
syntax highlighting
text editor
user feedback
windows