I have long since abandoned the Windows Start menu. It’s slow, it’s cluttered with recommended content I never asked for, and its web search integration with Bing is a feature I actively fight against. For a long time, PowerToys Run was my escape — a Spotlight-esque launcher that felt like a breath of fresh air. But then I found Flow Launcher, and I haven't looked back since. It is a keyboard-centric command center that integrates seamlessly with the Everything search engine, meaning I can locate a file buried six folders deep in milliseconds, not minutes. It supports a plugin ecosystem that puts even paid tools to shame, letting you control Spotify, manage Docker containers, or query color hex codes without lifting your hands from the home row.
