I Built fastFinder Launcher - Bringing Spotlight-like Search to Windows

Anand Kumar Sharma — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:13:26 +0000

I use both Windows and macOS.

On macOS, searching anything feels instant - apps, files, settings - all thanks to Spotlight Search.
Once you get used to it, it becomes part of your workflow.

But every time I switch back to Windows, I miss that experience.

Yes, Windows has search.
Yes, there are tools on the Microsoft Store.

But for me, two things were missing:

Speed
Control

So instead of adjusting my workflow again and again, I decided to build my own solution.

The Idea Behind fastFinder Launcher

astFinder Launcher is a lightweight Windows launcher that helps you quickly search and perform daily system actions — without relying on internet or heavy background services.

The goal was simple:

Make Windows search faster, keyboard-first, and actually useful for daily work.

Core Features

Fast Search (Apps, Files, Settings)

You can search:

Installed applications
Files and folders
System settings

All from a single search bar, without waiting for Windows indexing delays.

Run Commands Inside the Launcher

Instead of opening the Run dialog every time, fastFinder lets you execute common commands directly:

regedit
cleanmgr

and other Run box commands

Small thing, but it saves time daily.

Built-in Calculator (Normal + Unit)

While working, quick calculations are common.

fastFinder includes:

Normal calculations
Unit conversions

No need to open a separate calculator app.

Screenshot Shortcuts

Screenshots are part of everyday dev work.

Ctrl + Alt + 2 → Full screen screenshot
Ctrl + Alt + 3 → Selected area screenshot

Fast and distraction-free.

Features Built From Real Daily Pain

Micro Event Feature

This is one of my most used features.

You can assign one or multiple apps to a single shortcut key.
When the system starts — or whenever needed — pressing that shortcut opens all selected apps together.

No searching.
No clicking.
Just one shortcut.

Clipboard History (With Pin Support)

During development, we copy a lot: code, commands, URLs.

With Ctrl + Alt + H, you can:

View last 15 copied texts
Click to re-copy any item
Pin important text so it always stays on top

Quick Notes & Todos

Ideas come randomly.

Using Ctrl + Alt + N, you instantly get an input area where you can:

Write notes
Save ideas
Add todos

Everything is stored locally on the system.

Offline, Customizable, and Keyboard-First

Works completely offline

Search bar is adjustable and customizable
Built for people who prefer keyboard over mouse

You can even do quick actions like:

yt play hindi song

Google searches directly from the launcher

Why fastFinder Exists

I didn’t build fastFinder to replace everything or compete with huge tools.

I built it because:
I missed Spotlight on Windows
I wanted more control
I wanted features that actually match my daily workflow

If you’re a Windows user who values speed, shortcuts, and productivity, fastFinder might fit naturally into your setup.

Available on Microsoft Store

If you want to try it, fastFinder Launcher is available on the Microsoft Store.

Feedback, ideas, and feature suggestions are always welcome - this tool is built from real usage, not assumptions.

DEV Community: Anand Kumar Sharma