Microsoft’s Start Menu is an attempt to streamline your computer experience under the Windows operating system. It’s built into the OS and serves as a convenient access point for your computer’s files, programs, and preferences. However, it has a few flaws in common with other default tools. In this aspect, the integrated Bing search is problematic since it delivers results that are at odds with those provided by the Start Menu.
The issue with Bing isn’t the only thing missing from the default search window. This issue is familiar to anyone who spends most of their time at a keyboard and uses the command line interface (CLI). If you need a more versatile and powerful tool to access products or carry out tasks, it is sense to look at other launchers.
Microsoft’s PowerToys Run is an option if you’re experiencing similar difficulties. PowerToys Run is a component of Microsoft’s PowerToys utility that provides instant access to your computer’s documents, programs, and preferences via the search box.
PowerToys Run is an excellent alternative if you’re looking to upgrade your Windows 10 launcher.
How does PowerToys Run work?
PowerToys is a collection of Windows-compatible tools that can streamline a variety of common tasks. You might think of utilities as mini-programs that help you accomplish a certain action more quickly and easily than you would otherwise be able to. Since PowerToys is now open source, programmers may work together to improve it and make even more useful tools for the OS.
Currently available PowerToys from Microsoft include the aforementioned Color Picker, Image Resizer, and PowerRename, among others. One of these is called “Run,” by the way.
To put it plainly, Run is akin to a rapid launcher aimed at power users that provides access to different parts of the Windows 10 operating system. All of your files, directories, programs, and system preferences can be accessed directly from the search box. By eliminating the need to use the graphical user interface (GUI), you can boost your productivity.
The PowerToys Run offer what, exactly?
PowerToys Run, as was previously said, is akin to a program launcher for Windows 10. It’s a bit like Mac OS X’s Spotlight Search. For those who are unaware, Apple’s Mac computers include a search tool called Spotlight Search, which can be launched using a keyboard shortcut and used to run searches. It helps in locating files, documents, apps, and settings, as well as launching applications and performing rapid computations.
Run can be launched with a (keyboard) shortcut in a manner similar to that described above.
Here is a rundown of what you can expect from PowerToys Run:
Conduct a system-wide search for the desired data or software.
Do some basic arithmetic.
Find all the processes that are now active on your computer.
Invoke Shell to carry out several CLI tasks and run programs.
When it comes to personalization, Microsoft allows you to tweak a few aspects of PowerToys to suit your needs. The default shortcut for triggering an action, the maximum number of search results displayed, and the indexed (searchable) disks are all customizable.
PowerToys Run can be accessed from the left side menu after the program has been opened. Next, choose the desired alternative by clicking on the appropriate setting on the right.
PowerToys Run: How to Use It?
Run requires Microsoft PowerToys, which must be installed and configured on a machine running Windows 10 before you can begin using it. If you want to see the procedures and read more about Microsoft PowerToys, you can do so by visiting our guide.
Launch PowerToys after installing it, then choose PowerToys Run from the left menu. Turn on PowerToys Run by toggling its switch in the PowerToys Run window.
Pressing the Alt + Space key combination will bring up a search box in PowerToys Run. You can customize the shortcut for the trigger to something else in the settings. Start typing… to have your search automatically filled in. This window can be used for a wide variety of tasks, including searching for files, folders, and settings, as well as launching websites, apps, and even performing computations, as we discussed before.
Press the shortcut key, and then begin typing the name of the file or folder you wish to locate. PowerToys will provide you an answer to your question if it can find one. If you want to read it, all you have to do is click on it. Additional options may become available in the window in rare circumstances. These will appear to the right of the search result, and when clicked, will launch the appropriate file, folder, or application.
You may use the search bar to look for things, but Run also has certain special operators you can use to narrow your results. That way, you’ll ensure that you always achieve the outcomes you desire. This is the method of choice for advanced users to access Run and run a variety of searches and tasks.
The following are the operators currently supported by PowerToys Run:
(1) Use the equals symbol (=) when doing mathematical calculations exactly.
Eg: =1024/2
The? symbol (for limited folder and file searches)
As an example:?index.html>
Use a period (.) to limit results to those found in your computer’s installed programs
Example: firefox.com
A URL can be opened in the system’s default browser with a double forward slash (//).
Examples: //google.com
For commands in the Shell or Command Prompt alone, use the greater-than sign (>), as in: >ipconfig.
To see only active processes, use the less-than symbol () [may not work with the most recent version of PowerToys]. Such as: process_name
That’s essentially all there is to know to get started with PowerToys Run. The PowerToys Run tool has been updated so that you may quickly and easily search for files, folders, and applications, all from inside a single interface. PowerToys Run’s handy search bar makes it easy to locate and run Shell scripts, which can speed up your productivity.
The PowerToys application is especially useful for former Mac users who have just switched to Windows, as it allows them to enjoy similar functionality and capabilities in Windows’ version of Spotlight.
If you want the PowerToys utility to automatically launch with Windows, you should enable Run at startup. To do this, select the General menu and then the Run at startup checkbox.
Please take note that PowerToys is now a freely available open-source program that is regularly updated. Visit PowerToys’ GitHub repository if you’re having trouble using Run or one of its tools. All the information you need to solve your problem, and occasionally even the solutions themselves, can be found here.