# PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

Application Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called powerlauncher, powertoys run, powertoys.powerlauncher

Windows, Application

PowerToys Run. The default hotkey is Alt+Space. It is the launcher box, not the FancyZones snap engine.

## What you need to know

PowerLauncher is Run, not the FancyZones snap engine.

PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe is PowerToys Run. Alt+Space opens the search box. PowerToys.FancyZones.exe snaps windows to layouts. Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe is Command Palette (Win+Alt+Space by default). Ending Run does not undo FancyZones zones.

- **Safe?**: Yes, from PowerToys Run

  **Is it FancyZones?**: No. This is Run

  **Is it Command Palette?**: No. That is Microsoft.CmdPal.UI

Feex says

If Alt+Space opens a PowerToys box, I am looking at PowerLauncher. I do not end FancyZones to close Run, and I do not treat CmdPal as the same launcher.

## What is PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe?

PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe is PowerToys Run, not FancyZones. It is also not Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe. Run is the Alt+Space box.

## What does it do?

It indexes apps, folders, and plugins for a quick launch. It does not snap windows. FancyZones does that. Command Palette is a newer palette with its own exe.

## Why is it running?

PowerToys Run is enabled. The process can stay resident so Alt+Space is instant. A PC with only FancyZones on should not need this image.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed PowerLauncher under PowerToys is Run. PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe in Temp is not. This is still not FancyZones.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

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

- Default activation: Alt+Space
- Runner is PowerToys.exe
- Not FancyZones and not Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe

## Can I end it?

Alt+Space Run closes until the runner starts it again

Ending PowerLauncher stops Run. FancyZones can keep snapping. Disable Run in PowerToys Settings if you do not want it back.

## Can I remove it?

Turn off Run, or uninstall PowerToys

Disable PowerToys Run in settings. Deleting PowerLauncher.exe breaks that module. Uninstalling FancyZones is the wrong product toggle.

## Should it start with Windows?

The PowerToys runner starts Run when the module is on. It is not a separate Startup Apps row named PowerLauncher.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: A plugin or a huge index can spike on Alt+Space

  **Memory**: Resident so the box opens fast

  **Disk**: Indexer plugins

  **Network**: Only if a plugin queries the web

## File information

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

## Common problems

### People disable FancyZones because Alt+Space annoys them

Wrong module. Run is PowerLauncher. Zones are FancyZones.

### Confused with Command Palette

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

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### PowerToys Settings > PowerToys Run

Change the activation shortcut or turn the module off. FancyZones settings will not hide this box.

### If Win+Alt+Space is the palette you meant

That is Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe. This article is Alt+Space Run.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name       | PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe |
| ---------------- | --------------------------- |
| Role             | PowerToys Run               |
| Default shortcut | Alt+Space                   |

## Related

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

[PowerToys.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.exe)[PowerToys.FancyZones.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.fancyzones.exe)[Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/microsoft.cmdpal.ui.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: PowerToys Run ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/run)· Alt+Space launcher, not FancyZones
- [Microsoft Learn: Command Palette ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/command-palette/overview)· CmdPal is a different utility
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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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**: PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

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

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

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.powerlauncher.exe/)

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