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PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

Application ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Catalog search terms powerlauncher, powertoys run, powertoys.powerlauncher

WindowsApplication

PowerToys Run. Di default hotkey na Alt+Space. Na di launcher box, no bi di FancyZones snap engine.

Wetin you need know

PowerLauncher na Run, no bi di FancyZones snap engine.

PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe na PowerToys Run. Alt+Space dey open di search box. PowerToys.FancyZones.exe dey snap windows enter layouts. Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe na Command Palette (Win+Alt+Space by default). To end Run no dey undo FancyZones zones.

E safe?
Check the running file path, signature, and publisher. Name alone no fit confirm say e safe.
Na FancyZones?
No. Dis na Run
Na Command Palette?
No. Dat one na Microsoft.CmdPal.UI
Feex tok say
If Alt+Space open PowerToys box, na PowerLauncher I dey look. I no dey end FancyZones to close Run, and I no dey treat CmdPal as di same launcher.

Wetin bi PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe?

PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe na PowerToys Run, no bi FancyZones. E still no bi Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe. Run na di Alt+Space box.

Wetin e dey do?

E dey index apps, folders, and plugins for quick launch. E no dey snap windows. Na FancyZones dey do dat. Command Palette na newer palette wey get im own exe.

Wetin make am dey run?

PowerToys Run dey enabled. Di process fit stay resident so dat Alt+Space go sharp quick. PC wey get only FancyZones turned on no suppose need dis image.

Inspect the running instance

Inside Windows PowerShell, this read-only query show matching process IDs, creation times and executable paths on this PC. (pcm)

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Process | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq 'PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe' } | Select-Object ProcessId, ParentProcessId, CreationDate, Name, ExecutablePath | Format-List

No result or a path we no fit access is inconclusive. Protected processes fit restrict access, and process IDs fit be reused. Keep personal paths local. (pcm)

Use the file-identity guide to compare signatures and product metadata. A filename alone no fit establish safety. (pcm)

E dey safe?

Check dis running file

PowerLauncher wey Microsoft sign under PowerToys na Run. PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe inside Temp no bi am. Dis one still no bi FancyZones.

Compare the recorded location with the actual file. A familiar folder alone no fit establish identity. (pcm)

C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

  • Default activation: Alt+Space
  • Runner na PowerToys.exe
  • No bi FancyZones and no bi Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe

I fit end am?

Alt+Space Run go close until di runner start am again

To end PowerLauncher go stop Run. FancyZones fit continue to snap. Disable Run inside PowerToys Settings if you no want am back.

I fit comot am?

Turn off Run, or uninstall PowerToys

Disable PowerToys Run inside settings. To delete PowerLauncher.exe dey break dat module. To uninstall FancyZones na di wrong product toggle.

E suppose start with Windows?

Di PowerToys runner dey start Run when di module dey on. E no bi separate Startup Apps row wey dem name PowerLauncher.

Measure resource use

Measure the current process rather than assume a universal baseline
CPU and memory Compare several observations for the same PID and workload. This entry get no independently measured universal baseline. (pcm)
Disk and network Attribute activity to the actual process and current task; a filename alone no fit establish expected destinations or transfer volume. (pcm)

File information

PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe file information
Executable name PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe
Recorded installation path C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe
Publisher Microsoft Corporation
Signature check Inspect the actual file; this entry no dey certify its certificate identity. (pcm)

Common wahala dem

People dey disable FancyZones sake of say Alt+Space dey vex dem

Wrong module. Run na PowerLauncher. Zones na FancyZones.

Dey confuse am with Command Palette

Win+Alt+Space na CmdPal by default. Alt+Space na Run. Two utilities, two exes.

How to troubleshoot

Diagnose before you change anything wey fit scatter things.

PowerToys Settings > PowerToys Run

Change di activation shortcut or turn di module off. FancyZones settings no go hide dis box.

If na Win+Alt+Space palette you mean

Dat one na Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe. Dis article na about Alt+Space Run.

Technical details

Technical details
PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe technical details
Image name PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe
Role PowerToys Run
Default shortcut Alt+Space

Check the identity of running file

A filename alone no fit establish safety. Verify the actual path, signature and product identity. (pcm)

Sources and verification

Recorded source label: August 2026. Dis label no establish independent verification. How we dey do research.

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