Microsoft has simplified the Start menu on Windows 11 to make it more search-friendly, much like a smartphone. Despite their best efforts, it’s clunky, has a micro delay during launch, and is a bit too basic for my needs.
I spent some time trying to customize the Start menu to navigate Windows better, but even with tweaks, it remained sluggish and limited. So, I decided to ditch my Start menu for Flow Launcher, an open-source app launcher, and I love it. It can find files, launch apps, run system commands, and even play my Spotify list without launching the app. Just what I needed for my keyboard-first workflow.
Launch and search everything
From apps to files, it can find anything
Flow Launcher makes launching apps and finding files ridiculously simple. Press Alt + Space, and it opens instantly with a satisfying tick sound that reminds me of the Netflix startup sound on a Smart TV.
To launch an app, type its name and hit Enter. But that’s just scratching the surface. Flow Launcher integrates with my favorite Windows search utility, Everything search, to find files instantly. Type any part of a filename, and it appears instantly. You can search for documents buried deep in folders, configuration files, or even files in System32 that Windows Search won’t touch.
The launcher also handles web searches without opening your browser first. Type your search query, and it defaults to Google. Install the Flow YouTube plugin from the Plugin Store, and you can add “YT” before your search to find videos from YouTube or even search within specific YouTube channels. The “S” prefix lets you search system settings. All of this happens from one place, without switching between different apps and windows.
Perfect for a keyboard-driven workflow
You can do a lot without reaching for your mouse
If you’re anything like me, you’ll love the keyboard-driven workflow that Flow Launcher offers. The entire experience keeps your hands on the keyboard, making everything incredibly fast once you get the hang of it.
Alt + Space brings up the launcher instantly. From there, the fuzzy search takes over—I can type sare for ShareX, and obsi for Obsidian, and Flow Launcher knows exactly what I want. Even when I completely butcher the spelling, it finds the right app. When multiple results show up, you can press Alt + Number (Alt + 1, Alt + 2, and so on) to pick what you need without reaching for the mouse.
Flow Launcher handles way more than just apps, though. Math equations, web searches, YouTube videos, system commands like shutdown or restart — it all works from the same search box. I don’t jump between different apps anymore or memorize special commands. Just type what you want in natural language, and more often than not, it’ll find what you need.
Plugins add a ton more functionality
It’s more than just an app launcher
Apart from the Everything Search plugin I mentioned earlier, Flow Launcher comes with pre-installed plugins like Browser Bookmark, Calculator, Explorer, Process, and Shell. However, you can extend the functionality by adding more plugins from the Plugin Store.
You can add a currency converter for quick conversions, integrate Todoist to add to-do tasks without opening the app, or access PowerToys utilities directly. The Spotify Premium plugin lets you play and control music entirely through keyboard commands. You can search for songs, pause, and skip all without opening Spotify.
For my games, the Steam Search plugin finds and launches games from the library instantly. There’s also integration with file explorer add-ons like QuickLook: press Space on any file in the search results to preview it without opening the app first.
Tons of customization options
Custom hotkeys and personalization
Flow Launcher is also highly customizable. You can configure your default file manager for opening folders and choose whether web searches open in new tabs, windows, or private mode. Similarly, choose a pre-defined theme, including Dracula, Sublime, and various dark and light options, to make it look like part of your desktop. You can adjust transparency, animation speed, and even the date format shown in the launcher.
The Hotkey tab is where you set different shortcuts for specific plugins or actions. I’ve configured mine to replace the Windows key entirely, so pressing it now opens Flow Launcher instead of the Start menu. You can set hotkeys for direct calculator mode, file search only, or any specific plugin.
Each plugin has its own settings, too. You can change prefix keywords, adjust search parameters, and fine-tune behavior to match your preferences.
Flow launcher fits my workflow
For someone like me who works with multiple apps every day, does a ton of web searches, watches YouTube videos, tweaks system settings, and has a very heavy keyboard-dependent workflow, Flow Launcher works like magic.
Flow Launcher responds instantly, searches accurately, and handles multiple tasks from one interface. The Start menu isn’t terrible, but Flow Launcher shows what a modern launcher should be — fast, extensible, and completely keyboard-driven.
The learning curve is minimal since basic usage is intuitive. And as you discover more features and add plugins that match your workflow, it becomes indispensable.
