By 2026, Microsoft could find itself in the crosshairs of criticism, largely due to its bold advances in artificial intelligence and the mixed reception of Windows 11. Nevertheless, the software giant continues to offer valuable tools, one of which stands out remarkably: PowerToys.
The latest PowerToys update (version 0.98) has introduced an innovative Dock for the Command Palette. This enhancement immediately piqued my interest.
The Command Palette has long been considered one of PowerToys’ most beneficial features, and the ability to pin it to your screen could revolutionize the way you engage with Windows—from a functional standpoint, this is a promising change.
Introducing the Command Palette Dock
To clarify, the Command Palette serves as a quick-access launcher within Microsoft PowerToys, enabling users to execute system commands, launch applications, and activate utilities via a single search interface, akin to macOS’s Spotlight.
As a reminder, PowerToys is a robust open-source initiative aimed at enhancing and customizing Windows functionality. For those looking to keep up with the latest updates and feature releases, the PowerToys GitHub repository serves as an excellent resource.
Noteworthy is the fact that the March 2026 update not only adds the Command Palette Dock but also features a new keyboard manager, enhancements to CursorWrap, and various functionalities in tools like ZoomIt (a utility for screen zooming, annotation, and recording).
However, the highlight of the update appears to be the Command Palette Dock, which offers a flexible positioning that contrasts prominently with the Windows 11 Taskbar, resembling the macOS menu bar instead.
This dock functions as an optional utility that you can attach to any screen edge, making it easy to monitor CPU and memory usage while providing quick access to frequently used commands.
Activating the Command Palette Dock
If you haven’t yet installed PowerToys, it’s easily accessible through the Microsoft Store, GitHub, or by using Winget, with the installation package weighing approximately 377MB.
To install using WinGet, simply open the command line or PowerShell and execute the command:
winget install Microsoft. PowerToys
Enabling the Command Palette Dock is straightforward: launch PowerToys, select System Tools from the left menu, click on Command Palette, and then navigate to the Command Palette Settings on the right.
On the Command Palette Settings page, locate the Dock (preview) option, select it, and toggle Enable Dock to on.
The Dock will appear instantly—not even a restart is necessary.
While on the Dock settings page, you’ll discover multiple customization options, notably the ability to change the Dock’s default position from Top to Left, Right, or Bottom—something the Windows 11 Taskbar doesn’t currently offer.
From my perspective, the Dock looks particularly appealing when situated at the Top edge. Recently, Windows 11 has also started allowing users to change taskbar positions.
Additionally, the Dock supports theme switches between light and dark modes, and users can modify the default Acrylic appearance to a transparent version. Background settings, including colors and images, can enrich the visual aesthetics of the Dock.
Initial Thoughts on the Default Command Palette Dock
The Dock comes pre-filled with several handy items, which gives users an immediate sense of its capabilities. On the left, a shortcut to the Command Palette itself invites interaction, revealing the familiar search interface for executing commands, launching applications, or performing quick actions.
For instance, simply typing “Task Manager, ” “PowerShell, ” or performing quick calculations like “125*8” all yield immediate results.
If you are already accustomed to the Command Palette triggered with Win + Alt + Space, using it from the Dock will feel akin to an improved version of Windows Search.
Adjacent to it is WinGet integration—a feature that proves invaluable for those unfamiliar with command-line usage. It provides a user-friendly interface to search and install applications without the need for typing commands in the terminal. For example, inputting “vscode” or “powertoys” presents relevant packages along with their descriptions, versions, and links, delivering a significant boost in accessibility.
On the right side of the Dock, real-time system stats for CPU, GPU, memory, and network usage become visible. Initially, they appear as a glanceable widget; however, it reveals its interactive capabilities upon click.
Clicking any of these stats unveils a small animated graph illustrating real-time usage. From this point, you can instantly access Task Manager for a deeper dive into detailed information. Personally, I often consult Task Manager for system resource insights, so having these metrics visible at the top of my screen is extremely convenient.
Finally, the far-right section displays the clock and date—both of which can be copied easily to the clipboard.
This default layout is simply the beginning, as the true potential of the Dock is uncovered through customization.
Enhancing the Command Palette Dock with Extensions
The Dock truly gains functionality once customized. The procedure is straightforward: launch the Command Palette using Win + Alt + Space, search for any desired item, then pin it either via Ctrl + K > Pin to Dock or through the “More” menu.
I have started with tools I frequently utilize, such as Clipboard History and Search Files, since I often manage numerous files.
You can pin virtually any command, application, extension, or even specific actions within extensions. After pinning, rearranging them is as easy as dragging and dropping, while unnecessary items can be swiftly unpinned from the Dock.
Transforming the Dock into a Workflow Essential
Alongside built-in extensions, PowerToys users can further expand functionality by installing community extensions from Winget or the Microsoft Store, and installation happens without needing to restart your system; it becomes available instantaneously.
For instance, an extension that allows opening recent Visual Studio Code or Visual Studio projects directly has proved quite handy. Another available extension integrates with GitHub to pin your pull requests and review queues directly.
To access additional extensions, simply launch the Command Palette with Win + Alt + Space and look for “Find Command Palette extensions from WinGet” to search and install desired extensions.
Moreover, you can even include services like Hacker News for quick access to trending tech discussions without needing to open a separate browser window—an efficient way to stay informed on industry developments.
Additionally, if aesthetics matter to you, there’s a crucial option for a cleaner layout. Right-click on the Dock, select Edit Dock, and under the Labels menu, disable “Show titles” for a streamlined icon-only appearance, which greatly enhances clarity when multiple items are pinned.
This adjustment allows for much-needed space for additional items, relying on icon recognition, which is relatively simple.
For those curious about where I obtained media control and weather functionalities, numerous extensions are available in the Microsoft Store.
Does the Command Palette Dock Replace the Windows 11 Taskbar?
The truth is, the Dock doesn’t aim to replace the taskbar but rather to complement it.
While the Windows taskbar performs various functions beyond launching applications—handling system tray icons, notifications, quick settings, and background apps—it remains the primary location for pinning apps and using Windows Search. The Command Palette Dock does not attempt to replace these functionalities.
A more fitting analogy would be to liken it to the dual utility of the macOS Dock and Menu Bar—both essential components, each serving unique purposes.
The Command Palette Dock excels at minimizing friction. Once users effectively set it up, reliance on the Start menu diminishes, eliminating the tedious process of sifting through applications or manually searching. It evolves into a convenient shortcut layer for frequent tasks.
However, there are a few trade-offs to consider.
Firstly, space on your screen is a concern; the Dock does occupy space, especially when positioned at the top or bottom of the display. Users with a 16:10 screen may find this less problematic.
There’s also the matter of resource consumption. In my observation, the Command Palette process consistently utilized around 200–260 MB of RAM along with noticeable CPU activity in Task Manager—this isn’t negligible considering it runs continuously.
Consequently, if you’re operating on battery or a low-power device, you may want to reconsider. However, for desktop users with ample RAM, especially on larger monitors, the Dock becomes an obvious enhancement, as that additional UI strip appears less intrusive.
In my usage, while it does not serve as a replacement for the taskbar, it certainly transformed my interaction with Windows.
Additional Highlights in PowerToys 0.98
As a final note, the Dock is only one highlight of this update, as Microsoft has rolled out various substantial enhancements throughout PowerToys:
- A new Keyboard Manager (Preview) featuring a revamped WinUI3 interface and simplified shortcut/key remapping.
- Performance upgrades for the Command Palette, including enhanced search speed, improved UI responsiveness, and better extension reliability.
- Enhancements to CursorWrap with improved multi-monitor support and refined behavior.
- Refinements to the Always On Top feature, including right-click pinning from title bars and adjustable transparency.
- Upgraded ZoomIt with a new video trimming experience.
- Advanced Paste improvements, such as auto-copy shortcuts and better integration for AI handling.
- New(+): Tweaks including options to hide Windows’ traditional “New” context menu.
This is merely scratching the surface of possibilities.
The Command Palette Dock, still in preview, stands as one of the most pragmatic improvements for Windows in recent memories, while I hope Microsoft continues demonstrating similar zeal in their 2026 enhancements.
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