Microsoft PowerToys AlternativesApplication Launchers & File Search Utilities like Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is described as 'Set of open-source tools enhancing Windows with features like FancyZones, PowerRename, and Keyboard Manager. Lightweight and ad-free' and is a very popular application launcher in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Microsoft PowerToys for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and iPad apps. The best Microsoft PowerToys alternative is Flow Launcher, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Microsoft PowerToys are Launchy, Listary, Keypirinha and Winaero Tweaker.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft PowerToys alternatives are mainly Window Managers, but if you're looking for Application Launchers or File Search Utilities you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft PowerToys.
Microsoft PowerToys iconMicrosoft PowerToys
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Set of open-source tools enhancing Windows with features like FancyZones, PowerRename, and Keyboard Manager. Lightweight and ad-free.

More about Microsoft PowerToys
More about Microsoft PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys alternatives page was last updated Mar 22, 2025
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  1. AquaSnap icon

    AquaSnap

    Sponsored

    Optimize your desktop environment with this management tool offering window docking, snapping, multi-monitor support, and keyboard shortcuts for enhanced productivity.

    88 AquaSnap alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Dock window to sides or corners

    AquaSnap Features

    1.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    2.  Portable
    3.  Snap windows
    4.  Window organizer
    5.  Window docking
    6.  Shortcut keys
    7.  Dock
  2. Flow Launcher icon

    Flow Launcher

     65 likes
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    Dedicated to make your workflow flow more seamlessly. Aimed at being more than an app launcher, it searches, integrates and expands on functionalities. Flow will continue to evolve, designed to be open and built with the community at heart.

    41 Flow Launcher alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Flow Launcher screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  File Search
    4.  Indexed search
    5.  Portable
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Built-in viewer
    11.  No Tracking

    Flow Launcher VS Microsoft PowerToys

     

    • Flow Launcher is the most popular Windows alternative to Microsoft PowerToys.

    • Flow Launcher is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft PowerToys.

    • Flow Launcher is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft PowerToys is also Free and Open Source
    • Flow Launcher is Customizable and LightweightMicrosoft PowerToys is not according to our users
  4. Launchy icon

    Launchy

     645 likes
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    Launchy is a free Windows and Linux utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager. Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a...

    113 Launchy alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Launchy screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The project seems to be no longer maintained: last stable version, 2.5, and beta version, 2.6 beta2, were released in 2010. The program works anyway and can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Indexed search
    4.  Skinnable
    5.  Relative Paths

    Launchy VS Microsoft PowerToys

     

    • Launchy is the most popular Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft PowerToys.

    • Launchy is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft PowerToys is also Free and Open Source
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    Screenshot
    AquaSnap icon
    AquaSnap

    Optimize your desktop environment with this management tool offering window docking, snapping, multi-monitor support, and keyboard shortcuts for enhanced productivity.

    https://www.nurgo-software.com
    Learn More
  6. Listary icon

    Listary

     277 likes
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    Listary is a revolutionary search utility for Windows that makes finding your files and launching applications blazing fast, for casual and power users alike!.

    114 Listary alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CN flagChina

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    • File Explorer
    Global Search

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Fast file and folder search
    2. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    3.  Integrated Search
    4.  File Search
    5.  Application Launchers
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Full-Text Search
    9.  Quick Switch
    10.  Content Searching
    11.  Portable
    12.  Fuzzy Finder

    Listary VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
    Comments about Listary as an Alternative to Microsoft PowerToys
    Vyom Mengar
    Mar 22, 2025
    0

    Good UI/UX: This is also possible in "Everything," including filtering particular file types in the search and filter settings.

    Microsoft PowerToys Icon
    Listary icon
    • Listary is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft PowerToys is Free and Open Source
    • Listary is LightweightMicrosoft PowerToys is not according to our users
  7. Keypirinha icon

    Keypirinha

     213 likes
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    A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable). Extensible with Python3 plugins.

    156 Keypirinha alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    smart search

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Configurable
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Launcher
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Application Launchers
    5.  File Search
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Support for scripting
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Calculus solving

    Keypirinha VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
  8. Winaero Tweaker icon

    Winaero Tweaker

     76 likes
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    Winaero Tweaker is a universal tweaker software which supports Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 11.

    13 Winaero Tweaker alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Winaero Tweaker screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  System Tweaker
    2.  Portable
    3.  Customize Windows
    4.  Extensive settings menu
    5.  System settings access

    Winaero Tweaker VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
  10. Unlocker icon

    Unlocker

     541 likes
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    Get rid of error message like Error deleting or renaming file or folder, cannot delete folder: its being used by another person or program Unlocker application was designed to be a very useful Windows Explorer extension allowing users with a simple right-click on a file or...

    21 Unlocker alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main Window
    Discontinued

    The program is no longer updated. Last version, 1.9.2, released in May 2013, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Bundleware

    Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/

    Unlocker Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Support for 64 bit
    3.  Presence in context menu

    Unlocker VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
  11. Rectangle icon

    Rectangle

     93 likes
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    Move and resize windows on macOS with keyboard shortcuts. Rectangle is a window management app based on Spectacle Wndow Manager, written in Swift (programming language).

    72 Rectangle alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Rectangle screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Window Resizing
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Usability
    4.  Window move resize
    5.  Snap windows
    6.  Low memory usage
    7.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    8.  No registration required

    Rectangle VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
  12. Alfred icon

    Alfred

     295 likes
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    Alfred is a productivity application for macOS, which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords and text expansion. Search your Mac and the web, and control your Mac using custom actions with the Powerpack.

    128 Alfred alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Alfred screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Launcher
    3.  Workflow Automation
    4.  File Search
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Cloud Sync

    Alfred VS Microsoft PowerToys

     

    • Alfred is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Microsoft PowerToys.

    • Alfred is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft PowerToys is Free and Open Source
  13. Raycast icon

    Raycast

     50 likes
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    Raycast revolutionizes Mac productivity with AI-driven task automation, command shortcuts, and customizable workflows. Create snippets, manage clipboard history, translate text, and maintain sync across devices. Discover day planning, distraction-free focus, and versatile virtual assistance.

    65 Raycast alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Raycast screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Keyboard Shortcuts
    4.  File Search
    5.  Support for scripting
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Built-in viewer
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No registration required
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  AI-Powered

    Raycast VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
  14. Wox icon

    Wox

     192 likes
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    Wox is a full-featured plugin-powered launcher that supports file and web searching.

    52 Wox alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CN flagChina

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Wox screenshot 1

    Wox Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Integrated Search

    Wox VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
  15. Ultimate Windows Tweaker icon

    Ultimate Windows Tweaker

     66 likes
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    Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5 for Windows 11 is now available for download! This popular Windows tweaking software adds tweaks for the new operating system and is widely regarded as the best Windows 11 tweaker.

    55 Ultimate Windows Tweaker alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Ultimate Windows Tweaker screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Privacy settings
    5.  System settings access

    Ultimate Windows Tweaker VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
    Comments about Ultimate Windows Tweaker as an Alternative to Microsoft PowerToys
    G11
    Negative Jun 13, 2021
    0

    It doesn't have much useful features, unlike Microsoft Power Toys.

    Microsoft PowerToys Icon
    Ultimate Windows Tweaker icon
    • Ultimate Windows Tweaker is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft PowerToys is Free and Open Source
    • Ultimate Windows Tweaker is Privacy focusedMicrosoft PowerToys is not according to our users
  16. ueli icon

    ueli

     65 likes
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    Developed with the Electron framework, ueli is the type of tool that adopts simplicity, leaving out any unnecessary options and configuration settings. It creates an icon in the system tray at startup, where it sits silently throughout its runtime, without disturbing you with...

    79 ueli alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ueli screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  File Search
    3.  Custom commands
    4.  Portable
    5.  Fast file and folder search
    6.  Launcher
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

    ueli VS Microsoft PowerToys

     
13 of 59 Microsoft PowerToys alternatives