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Guide · Open source

How to use Flow.Launcher: install, search and run commands

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Flow Launcher is a free, open-source search tool and app launcher for Windows. You press a hotkey, type a few letters, and it finds apps, files, bookmarks, web searches and system commands. This guide shows you how to install it, what it can search, and how to use its main features and plugins.

Flow LauncherFlow-Launcher/Flow.Launcher · ★ 15.9k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install. Run winget install "Flow Launcher", or use Scoop or Chocolatey with the commands in the README.
  2. 2Open the launcher. Start Flow Launcher and use its hotkey to open the search box.
  3. 3Search. Type a few letters to find apps, files, bookmarks or web queries.
  4. 4Run a system command. Type a command such as shutdown or lock from the system commands list.
  5. 5Preview results. Press F1 to show or hide the preview panel.
  6. 6Add plugins. Install community plugins only from sources you trust, then set result order with Priority.

Install Flow Launcher on Windows 10 or later

Flow Launcher requires Windows 10 or later. The project's README lists an installer, a portable version and three package-manager options. The package-manager route is the quickest if you already use one of these tools.

Windows may show a security warning on first install because the code is not signed. The README says that if you downloaded from the official repository, you are good to continue setup. Only use the official channels for downloads.

  • Winget: install with the command below
  • Scoop: install with the command below
  • Chocolatey: install with the command below
  • Installer or Portable Version: download from the project's GitHub releases
winget install "Flow Launcher"

Search apps, files and file contents

The core use is typing to find things. Flow Launcher can search for apps, files, or file contents. It supports Everything and the Windows Index as search sources, and it can search using environment variable paths.

Because results appear as you type, you can open an app or file without using the Start menu or File Explorer.

  • Search for apps, files or file contents
  • Supports Everything and Windows Index
  • Supports search using environment variable paths

Search web queries, bookmarks and settings

Flow Launcher can run web searches and open URLs, and it can search browser bookmarks from the same search box. The README also lists searches for Windows and Control Panel settings.

The README names YouTube and Twitter among the things you can search, but the exact plugins for each site are not detailed in the source.

  • Web searches and URLs
  • Browser bookmarks
  • Windows and Control Panel settings

Run system commands and shell commands

System commands cover items such as shutdown, lock and settings. The README links to a system command list in the project documentation for the full set.

The Shell Command feature runs batch and PowerShell commands. You can run them as Administrator or as a different user. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run as Administrator.

  • System commands such as shutdown, lock and settings
  • Calculator: do maths and copy the result to the clipboard
  • Shell Command: run batch and PowerShell commands
  • Ctrl+Shift+Enter runs a shell command as Administrator

Use the preview panel, shortcuts and customizations

Press F1 to show or hide previews. Results can preview media files as large images, show an icon and description, or use markdown with code highlighting. You can set previews to show by default in Settings under Always Preview.

Other useful keys: Alt+G jumps an Open/Save As dialog to the path of the active file manager, and Ctrl with plus, minus, brackets resizes the search window. You can also adjust window size, animation, sound, colour scheme (dark mode) and themes.

  • F1: show or hide previews
  • Ctrl+Plus/Minus and Ctrl+[ / ]: adjust search window width and height
  • Alt+G: jump Open/Save As dialog to the active file manager path
  • Drag a file or folder to File Explorer or Discord; Ctrl or Shift changes copy or move behaviour

Add plugins carefully

Plugins are community-made and add extra sources. The README lists a Plugins section, but the source excerpt does not describe a review process for them. Treat each plugin as third-party code and install only ones you trust.

You can also use the Priority feature to set the order of each plugin's results.

  • Plugins are community-made
  • The README does not describe a plugin review process
  • Priority sets the order of each plugin's results

What people use it for

  • Opening apps and files by typing a few letters instead of browsing folders
  • Running shutdown, lock or settings commands from the keyboard
  • Searching browser bookmarks and web queries from one box
  • Doing quick calculations and copying the result
  • Jumping an Open/Save As dialog to the folder you have open in File Explorer

Frequently asked questions

Is Flow Launcher free?

Yes. The project is free and open source, and its repository is licensed under MIT. The source does not list any paid version.

What do I need to run Flow Launcher?

Flow Launcher requires Windows 10 or later. The project describes it as a Windows launcher, so it is not meant for macOS or Linux.

How do I install Flow Launcher?

Use winget install "Flow Launcher", scoop install Flow-Launcher, or choco install Flow-Launcher. You can also download the installer or portable version from the official GitHub releases.

Why does Windows warn me when I install Flow Launcher?

The README says Windows may raise a security issue because the code is not signed. If you downloaded from the official repository, the README says you can continue setup.

Is Flow Launcher the same as Wox or PowerToys Run?

They are comparable projects that also act as launchers on Windows. Flow Launcher's distinguishing features from the README include community plugins, Pinyin search and a set of system commands. Compare them on the features you need before choosing.

Are Flow Launcher plugins safe?

Plugins are community-made and the README does not describe a review process for them. Install only plugins you trust, because they run as third-party code.

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Our verdict

Flow Launcher suits Windows users who open apps, files and bookmarks mostly by typing, and who want keyboard-first system commands and plugins. It is not a fit for macOS or Linux users, people who want a mouse-driven start menu with no setup, or anyone who needs every plugin vetted.

Install options & downloads