![spotlight search for windows spotlight search for windows](https://i0.wp.com/mspoweruser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cerebro.png)
The apps were a quick way for Windows engineers to test prototype features, and Microsoft soon packaged some of the best ones into PowerToys bundles. Microsoft originally introduced the concept of PowerToys back in Windows 95.
![spotlight search for windows spotlight search for windows](https://i.redd.it/oxnx8sv4e2o01.jpg)
#Spotlight search for windows windows 10#
Microsoft originally brought back PowerToys last year to allow anyone to improve Windows 10 for power users, and the first set arrived in September. It’s one of many PowerToys that Microsoft is actively developing, and Microsoft is looking for help naming the app. UX designer Niels Laute created a concept design for the launcher back in February, and Microsoft is adopting some of Laute’s code so the launcher has a modern design.
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Microsoft is working with the open-source community and apps like Wox to integrate plugins. The Start menu search also forces you into Bing search results and opens the Edge browser for any web queries. Power users demand more, and the built-in search doesn’t include plugins or the ability to add custom web searches, snippets, and more. Image: Niels Lauteįor most Windows users the Start menu search will be enough, as it acts as a basic launcher of sorts. Concept design for Microsoft’s new PowerToy. But there are plans to make this a more powerful launcher that’s similar to Alfred on macOS and more functional than Apple’s Spotlight search. An early version of the launcher will support basic search tasks that are typically handled by the built-in Windows Start menu search functionality. The software giant has been working on the launcher since January, and an initial public beta is planned for May. Designed to replace the existing Win + R shortcut, the new launcher will include options to quickly search apps and files across Windows and support for plugins like calculators, dictionaries, and search engines. Microsoft is currently building a new Spotlight-like launcher app for Windows 10.