If you’re trying to move faster on Windows, you’ve probably experimented with tools like PowerToys Run or Flow Launcher. They offer faster app launching, file search, and plugins — and they already feel much snappier than the default Windows 11 Start menu.
But until recently, the most advanced launcher experience was exclusive to macOS.
That has changed.
Raycast — one of the most popular productivity tools on Mac — is now available in public beta on Windows, and it brings far more than just a faster search bar. After using it for several weeks, it’s clear that Raycast isn’t just a launcher. It’s a complete productivity command center.
More Than a Launcher: A Central Hub for Productivity
Raycast describes itself as “your shortcut to everything” — and that’s accurate.
Out of the box, Raycast includes:
- A clipboard history that stores everything you copy for up to three months
- An emoji and symbol picker
- A calculator that activates instantly when you type a math expression
- Text snippets for frequently used phrases
- Custom quick links
- A blazing-fast file and app search engine
All of this is accessible through a single keyboard shortcut. No context switching. No waiting. No menus.
You press the shortcut, type, and results appear instantly.
That speed alone makes Raycast feel fundamentally different from Windows Search.
Installation and Setup
Raycast for Windows can be installed:
- From the official Raycast website
- Via the Microsoft Store
- Or through Winget:
winget install raycast
After installation, Raycast walks you through a clean onboarding process that introduces the core features and lets you choose your preferred keyboard shortcut (default: Alt + Space).
You can even bind it to the Windows key itself and completely replace the Start menu.
Raycast builds its own search index instead of relying on Windows Search, which makes file and app discovery significantly faster and more accurate.
A Powerful Extension Ecosystem
Raycast really shines through its extension system.
Even in beta, the Windows version already includes a growing extension store with integrations for:
- Google Translate
- Slack
- Notion
- GitHub
- Visual Studio Code
- ChatGPT
- Google Gemini
You can browse extensions by category (Productivity, Development, Design, Data, Communication) and install them instantly.
Some particularly useful ones include:
- GitHub: manage repositories, issues, and pull requests
- Speedtest: test your internet connection
- Media Converter: convert audio, video, and images
- Obsidian Search: instantly find notes
Extensions install in one click and appear immediately inside Raycast.
While not all Mac extensions are available yet, Raycast confirms that most non-native extensions are cross-platform and will arrive on Windows over time.
Built-In AI: Free During the Windows Beta
Raycast includes integrated AI called Quick AI, and during the Windows beta, it’s completely free.
You simply type your question, press Tab, and get an AI response inside Raycast — no browser, no extra apps.
It currently runs on GPT-5 mini, which performs very well for:
- Quick explanations
- Translations
- Summaries
- Coding questions
More advanced AI features (AI Chat, AI Commands, model switching) will arrive later and will likely be part of the Pro plan.
What’s Still Missing on Windows
Since this is a public beta, a few features from macOS are not yet available:
- Full AI Chat with history
- Cloud Sync between devices
- Calendar integration
- Raycast Notes
- Some popular Mac-only extensions
- Advanced window management
Raycast has confirmed these features are coming gradually.
Free vs Pro: Is It Worth Paying?
Free version includes:
- App and file launcher
- Clipboard history (limited)
- Snippets, quick links, emojis, calculator
- Access to extension store
- 50 AI requests per month
Pro ($8/month) adds:
- Access to multiple AI models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.)
- Unlimited clipboard history
- Raycast Notes
- Themes and custom window management
- Cloud sync (not yet on Windows)
Pro + Advanced AI ($16/month):
- Access to the best and newest AI models
For most users, the free version is more than enough.
Final Verdict
Raycast on Windows is already excellent — even in beta.
It’s fast, stable, keyboard-first, extensible, and deeply integrated into daily workflows. It replaces Windows Search, reduces context switching, and brings powerful automation into a single interface.
If you spend a lot of time on Windows and care about productivity, Raycast is absolutely worth trying.
It’s free, installs in minutes, and might just become the most important tool on your PC.
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