# Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe

Application Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called cmdpal, command palette, microsoft.cmdpal.ui, powertoys command palette

Windows, Application

PowerToys Command Palette UI. The default shortcut is Win+Alt+Space. It is not PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe (Run / Alt+Space).

## What you need to know

CmdPal is Command Palette, not PowerToys.PowerLauncher (Run).

Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe is Command Palette. Win+Alt+Space is the documented default. PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe is Run, Alt+Space. Ending Run does not close Command Palette. The runner is still PowerToys.exe.

- **Safe?**: Yes, from Command Palette

  **Is it PowerToys Run?**: No. PowerLauncher is Run

  **Should I end it?**: The palette closes

Feex says

If Win+Alt+Space opens a palette, I am in CmdPal. I do not end PowerLauncher to close that UI.

## What is Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe?

Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe is Command Palette, not PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe. Run is the older Alt+Space launcher. CmdPal is the newer palette.

## What does it do?

It shows commands, apps, and extensions in the palette UI. It does not snap windows. FancyZones does that. It is not the PowerToys settings runner.

## Why is it running?

Command Palette is enabled in PowerToys, or the Microsoft.CommandPalette package is installed. The process can stay so Win+Alt+Space is instant.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe under PowerToys\WinUI3Apps\CmdPal or WindowsApps\Microsoft.CommandPalette is the palette. A CmdPal exe in Temp is not. This is still not PowerLauncher.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Program Files\PowerToys\WinUI3Apps\CmdPal\Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe`

- Also seen under WindowsApps\Microsoft.CommandPalette\_\*
- Default activation: Win+Alt+Space
- Run is PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe (Alt+Space)

## Can I end it?

The palette closes until the runner starts it again

Ending Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe closes Command Palette. PowerToys Run can stay. Disable Command Palette in PowerToys Settings if you do not want it back.

## Can I remove it?

Turn off Command Palette, or uninstall PowerToys

Disable Command Palette in settings. Deleting PowerLauncher.exe does not remove CmdPal.

## Should it start with Windows?

PowerToys starts CmdPal when the module is on. It is not a Startup Apps row named PowerLauncher.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: A spike when the palette indexes or runs an extension

  **Memory**: Resident WinUI palette

  **Disk**: Extension and settings under AppData\Microsoft\PowerToys\CmdPal

  **Network**: Only if an extension queries the web

## File information

| Executable name        | Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe                                              |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Program Files\PowerToys\WinUI3Apps\CmdPal\Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                                                |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows                                          |

## Common problems

### Alt+Space versus Win+Alt+Space

Alt+Space is Run (PowerLauncher). Win+Alt+Space is CmdPal. Two shortcuts, two exes.

### Palette missing when PowerToys runs elevated

Microsoft tracks CmdPal issues when the runner is admin. That is this UI, not FancyZones.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### PowerToys Settings > Command Palette

Enable the module and check Win+Alt+Space. PowerToys Run settings will not show this UI.

### Open file location if both launchers are running

WinUI3Apps\CmdPal\Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe is this article. PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe is Run.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name       | Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe      |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Role             | PowerToys Command Palette UI |
| Default shortcut | Win+Alt+Space                |

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.powerlauncher.exe)[PowerToys.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.exe)[PowerToys.FancyZones.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.fancyzones.exe)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Learn: Command Palette ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/command-palette/overview)· Win+Alt+Space palette, not PowerToys Run
- [Microsoft Learn: PowerToys Run ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/run)· Run is PowerLauncher / Alt+Space
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

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Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Type**: Application Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Program Files\PowerToys\WinUI3Apps\CmdPal\Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

  **Related process**: [PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.powerlauncher.exe)

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/microsoft.cmdpal.ui.exe/)

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