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PowerToys Command Palette vs SlickRun: catalog facts
PowerToys Command Palette	SlickRun
Best for: Windows users who want a keyboard launcher from Microsoft	Best for: Windows users who prefer typed keywords over hotkeys to start programs
Free Free as part of Microsoft PowerToys.	Free Free to download and use.
Windows	Windows
Opens with one shortcut and searches apps, files, commands and the web Extensible and customisable All 4 strengths for PowerToys Command Palette Opens with one shortcut and searches apps, files, commands and the web Extensible and customisable Optional compact search box mode Comes with the rest of the PowerToys utilities	Custom keyword aliases for programs, sites and files Auto-completion keeps typing short All 3 strengths for SlickRun Custom keyword aliases for programs, sites and files Auto-completion keeps typing short Small, signed installer
Windows only Requires PowerToys to be installed and running in the background	Windows only Closed source All 3 limitations for SlickRun Windows only Closed source Aliases have to be set up by hand
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Not open source
License: MIT	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for PowerToys Command Palette learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/command-palette… Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for SlickRun bayden.com/slickrun Catalog checked October 1, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.