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 described in the MakeUseOf piece is more than a stylistic tweak: it’s a practical assessment of speed, extensibility, and control versus the convenience and integration of a first‑party Start experience. The blogger’s case — instant keystroke access, deep plugin support, and tight Everything‑style file search — highlights both why alternative launchers remain compelling and what users must weigh before replacing a core OS entry point.
Background / Overview
Windows’ Start menu has evolved from a static program launcher into a context‑aware entry point for apps, settings, and search. Microsoft’s Windows 11 design aims to make the Start menu more search‑centric and streamlined, but that shift has produced mixed feedback: while the UI is simpler, many power users complain about responsiveness, discoverability, and the limits of what the Start menu can do without switching windows or remembering exact command names. Independent coverage and user reports have flagged performance and usability pain points that drive the search for alternatives. (theverge.com, tomshardware.com)Flow Launcher sits in the long tradition of third‑party launchers (Alfred/Spotlight analogs on macOS) that prioritize keystroke speed, fuzzy matching, and plugin extensibility. The project is actively maintained, ships with a plugin catalog, and supports both an installer and portable use — a combination that appeals to both privacy‑conscious and mobile power users. The Flow Launcher team documents the default hotkey (Alt+Space), Everything integration, and plugin store as core selling points. (flowlauncher.com)
What Flow Launcher actually does — feature rundown
Flow Launcher packages a surprisingly broad feature set for a single small tool. Read as a list of practical capabilities, its core strengths are immediate and easy to parse.- Instant launcher: Trigger with a hotkey (default Alt + Space) and type to fuzzy‑match apps, files, and commands. (flowlauncher.com)
- File search integration: Uses native Windows Search and optionally integrates with Everything (Voidtools) for near‑instant filename results even in deep folders. This removes the need to open Explorer or wait for the Start menu indexer in many cases. (flowlauncher.com)
- Plugin architecture / Plugin Store: An extensible plugin model lets the community add new search types and actions (YouTube, Spotify, Steam, Obsidian, bookmarks, etc.). Flow Launcher ships a plugin marketplace built into its UI. (flowlauncher.com)
- Media and system controls: Media control plugins (including a Spotify Premium plugin maintained in a community repo) let you search and play tracks, control playback, and queue songs directly from the launcher — often without opening the full desktop app. Community plugins expose system commands (shutdown, restart), PowerShell/batch execution, and quick calculators. (flowlauncher.com)
- Customization and themes: Multiple themes, transparency, animation settings, and sound options let users match the launcher to their desktop aesthetic or reduce distractions. (flowlauncher.com)
- Multiple delivery channels: Official installer, portable ZIP, and package manager manifests (winget, scoop, chocolatey) make deployment flexible for single users and scripted setups. (flowlauncher.com)
Why these features matter for power users
A keyboard‑first workflow reduces "context switching" — keeping hands on the keyboard saves time across many repetitive tasks. Flow Launcher packages search, file access, web queries, and system actions into one prompt that can be summoned instantly. For users whose daily cadence is launching apps, switching documents, poking at settings, or queuing music, that slight reduction per action compounds into real time savings.How Flow Launcher compares to the Windows Start menu
Responsiveness and latency
The MakeUseOf writer notes a "micro delay" in the Windows 11 Start menu and an overall clunkiness for keyboard‑driven workflows. Independent testing and reporting have identified cases where Start/search responsiveness degrades due to online results, indexing issues, or animation overhead — especially on machines that are not freshly provisioned. For those seeking a sub‑100ms feel from pressing a hotkey to typing a query, a lightweight launcher like Flow Launcher frequently produces a snappier experience. (tomshardware.com, windowsforum.com)Scope and discoverability
- The Start menu is integrated with Microsoft services, Quick Settings, pinned apps, and recommended items — a one‑stop UI for mainstream users.
- Flow Launcher sacrifices deep shell integration (like system flyouts and some UWP settings) for a unified typed interface that can be extended through plugins to fill many of those gaps.
Extensibility
Flow Launcher’s plugin ecosystem is its biggest strategic advantage. Where the Start menu expects users to navigate (or trust Microsoft’s suggestions), Flow Launcher lets users install niche integrations and author their own plugins in C#, Python, or JavaScript, enabling bespoke workflows (e.g., search Obsidian notes, control Spotify, query a local dev server). This is not a trivial difference: extensibility converts a launcher into a programmable command palette. (flowlauncher.com)Plugins: power and peril
Plugins power Flow Launcher’s potential, but they also introduce risk vectors that users must understand.- Notable examples:
- Everything / File search — provides near‑instant filename results and is a common must‑have for large local archives. (flowlauncher.com)
- SpotifyPremium plugin — demonstrates what plugins can do: search tracks, control playback, and queue songs. Important caveat: some media plugins require Spotify Premium and a developer client ID/secret for API access, and community plugins sometimes ship with the author’s keys or require user registration. Always check the plugin README and configuration instructions. (github.com, flowlauncher.com)
- MediaControl plugin — a general media control plugin listed in Flow Launcher’s plugin catalog; useful for local media players or cross‑app control. (flowlauncher.com)
- Security considerations:
- Plugins may require API tokens, client IDs, or elevated permissions. Treat community plugins like third‑party software: read the source (when available), prefer plugins with active GitHub repos, and avoid hardcoded secrets. The Spotify plugin’s README explicitly warns about needing a Spotify client secret and suggests creating a local security.store file to store credentials. (github.com)
- Plugins that execute shell commands or PowerShell can be powerful automation tools but introduce risk if misconfigured or if a malicious plugin is installed. Use plugin permissions conservatively and evaluate plugin code when possible.
Governance and trust model
Flow Launcher’s plugin marketplace lists many community contributions; unlike an app store with centralized vetting, the trust model is community‑centric. That works well for many technical users, but it imposes a verification burden on organizations or less technical individuals.Installation, deployment, and update strategy
Flow Launcher supports several deployment options that make it practical for both single users and managed environments:- Official installer EXE and a portable ZIP are available from the project site and releases. Portable mode is convenient for trialing without changing system configuration. (flowlauncher.com)
- Package managers: winget, chocolatey, and scoop manifests exist and can be used to script installs and upgrades — recommended for automation. (flowlauncher.com)
- Plugin installation is handled inside Flow Launcher’s UI or via the built‑in pm command; many plugins link to GitHub so you can review source before installing. (flowlauncher.com)
- Use the portable ZIP first to test workflows without changing defaults.
- Prefer package manager installs for reproducible updates in power user setups.
- Verify plugin sources on GitHub before granting credentials or permissions.
- When deploying on managed endpoints, coordinate with IT to ensure policy compliance and consider a review process for plugin code.
Security, privacy, and enterprise concerns
Replacing an OS surface area like the Start menu with third‑party software raises predictable questions that deserve careful answers:- Code provenance: Flow Launcher is open source; the project publishes binaries on GitHub and the site. Open code improves transparency but requires users to check release signing and hashes if supply‑chain integrity matters. (flowlauncher.com)
- Plugin trust: Community plugins may request tokens or execute local commands. Treat each plugin like a separate app: audit code or prefer well‑established maintainers. The Spotify plugin explicitly requires user‑provided client credentials for full functionality, reducing the risk of shared hardcoded secrets but increasing setup friction. (github.com, flowlauncher.com)
- Data exposure: Some plugins may send search terms or telemetry to remote services (e.g., web search, YouTube queries). Evaluate plugin network behavior if privacy is a concern and disable plugins that leak sensitive data.
- Admin policy and support: In corporate contexts, non‑Microsoft shells and launchers can contravene policy, complicate support, or create compliance gaps. Coordinate with IT and use sandboxed testing before broad roll‑out. Windows environment managers should also account for accessibility and assistive technologies that expect the Start menu to be the canonical entry point. (flowlauncher.com)
Workflow and productivity analysis — where Flow Launcher shines
The MakeUseOf writer’s core claim — that Flow Launcher makes a keyboard‑driven workflow faster and more cohesive — is demonstrably practical for certain user archetypes:- Knowledge workers who switch between many apps (editors, web, chat, note apps) will save time by launching apps and files via fuzzy search rather than hunting through folders or nested Start groups.
- Developers and sysadmins benefit from the ability to run shell commands, search local project files, and quickly toggle devices or services without mousing.
- Creators and multitaskers who queue media or manage playlists will appreciate media plugins that control playback without context‑switching.
- Fuzzy matching reduces the need to memorize exact filenames or app names.
- Prefixes (e.g., plugin keywords) let you route queries: “yt {term}” for YouTube, “sp {song}” for Spotify, and so on.
- Numbered result selection (Alt + number) preserves a keyboard‑only flow even when multiple results appear.
- There is an initial configuration and discovery cost: plugins, prefixes, and hotkeys must be learned.
- Some UWP settings and certain system flyouts remain best reached via the native Start or Settings UI; Flow Launcher complements rather than universally replaces that experience.
Practical guide: replacing the Start menu (a conservative approach)
- Try portable mode first. Download the portable ZIP and set a hotkey to Alt + Space to mirror the common launcher model. (flowlauncher.com)
- Install only a few essential plugins initially: Everything integration (or enable Windows Search), media control, and one productivity plugin (e.g., Obsidian or Steam search). Confirm each plugin’s source. (flowlauncher.com)
- Create a fallback hotkey for the native Start (e.g., keep the Windows key mapped) until you’re fully comfortable. Flow Launcher’s Hotkey tab allows reassigning or disabling keys, but be conservative during the transition. (flowlauncher.com)
- Verify update paths: prefer winget/choco for the main app and periodically check GitHub plugin repos for updates or security advisories. (flowlauncher.com)
- If you rely on managed IT, consult your admin before enabling third‑party launchers that may require elevated privileges or alter default shell behavior.
Risks and what to watch for
- Malicious or poorly written plugins: Plugins that execute arbitrary code can be abused. Vet plugins and restrict ones that require network credentials. (github.com)
- Credential handling for web APIs: Media plugins that use OAuth or client secrets must be configured carefully; follow plugin authors’ guidance and prefer local stores over plaintext files. (github.com)
- Performance regressions from too many plugins: Paradoxically, a crowded plugin set can slow the launcher. Install purposefully and measure impact. (flowlauncher.com)
- Supportability in corporate settings: Third‑party launchers complicate remote support scripts, user training, and compliance audits; involve IT early. (flowlauncher.com)
Cross‑checking the big claims
- Claim: Flow Launcher opens instantly with Alt + Space and supports Everything for instant file lookups. Verified: Flow Launcher’s official site documents Alt + Space as the default hotkey and explicitly mentions Everything and Windows Search integration. (flowlauncher.com)
- Claim: Spotify plugin can play and queue songs without opening the Spotify app, but requires Spotify Premium and developer credentials. Verified: The community Spotify plugin README on GitHub outlines exact commands and notes that Spotify Web API access (and premium account constraints in some API endpoints) is required; the Flow Launcher plugin directory lists the Spotify Premium plugin and links its source. (github.com, flowlauncher.com)
- Claim: Start menu is still criticized for sluggishness and UI tradeoffs. Verified: Recent reporting and user feedback document Start menu redesigns and performance complaints; Microsoft’s Start menu changes are under active testing, and independent outlets have highlighted performance concerns. (theverge.com, tomshardware.com)
Final analysis and verdict
Flow Launcher offers a compelling alternative to the Windows Start menu for users who prize speed, keyboard workflows, and extensibility. The MakeUseOf writer’s move away from the Start menu is representative, not prescriptive: it’s a workflow choice grounded in measurable advantages for certain user types.Strengths:
- Speed and focus: Instant keystroke access and fuzzy search reduce friction. (flowlauncher.com)
- Extensibility: A thriving plugin ecosystem turns the launcher into a programmable toolbelt. (flowlauncher.com)
- Deployment flexibility: Portable and package‑manager based installs make trials and scripted rollouts straightforward. (flowlauncher.com)
- Plugin security and privacy remain the primary concerns; vet plugins and manage credentials carefully. (github.com, flowlauncher.com)
- Enterprise constraints: Managed environments may block or disallow third‑party launchers; compatibility and support must be validated with IT. (flowlauncher.com)
- Not a full OS replacement: Certain system UIs (system flyouts, some UWP settings pages) remain more convenient through the native Start or Settings apps.
Flow Launcher demonstrates what a modern, extensible launcher can be: fast, modular, and deeply configurable. For many keyboard‑centric users, the small upfront time investment pays off in frequent, cumulative speed gains. For organizations and less technical users, the benefits must be balanced against plugin trust models and supportability. The MakeUseOf writer’s experience is a useful, practical case study: it highlights how open‑source tooling continues to shape the Windows desktop in meaningful ways, and it provides a clear checklist of what to test and what to watch for before making the switch. (flowlauncher.com, theverge.com)
Source: MakeUseOf Famous Tech Blogger Ditches Windows Start Menu for Open-Source Launcher
