(I think I found a) SOLUTION FOR COMMAND PALETTE INSTALL

[mo1234123123]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.91.1

Installation method

Microsoft Store

Area(s) with issue?

Command Palette

Steps to reproduce

I think I found a workaround to enable command palette, I would love if someone more computer literate could tell me if it is safe please (as in did I suddenly open myself up to vulnerabilities).

I had the same bug as seen here: #38946, #38888.

In short, when you tried to activate command palette in the powertoys settings you would get an error for the shell:AppsFolder.

After the v0.91.1 update, it was an error where you couldn't open the link

✔️ Expected Behavior

Based on how I got Command Palette to work, it seems like there's a sideloading issue when trying to install the cmdpal app extension.

❌ Actual Behavior

"Solution":

1. press Win + R to open "Run"

2. Type shell:AppData (See figure 1), when you hit enter it should take you to a file explorer window. Scroll down and open the PowerToys file folder. If you can't find the folder, click on "AppData" in the address bar. Open the "Local" folder and look for PowerToys.

3. Open the "WinUI3Apps" folder

4. Open the "CmdPal" Folder, you should see an MSIX file called Microsoft.CmdPal.UI_0.2.1.0_x64 (See figure 2)

5. Open the MSIX file using app installer. If it installs then success, if it does not then proceed to step 6

6. If your install failed like mine did, it is because "there's a policy that prevents sideloading and you have to contact an administrator"

7. Using Search, Open "Local Group Policy" (it's a control panel) my search pop up said "edit group policy" (figure 3)

8. Open "Computer Configuration", Open "Administrative Templates", Open "All Settings"

9. I enabled the following policies; "Allow All Trusted Apps to Install", "Enable App Installer", "Allow Sideloading of Apps"

10. Repeat steps 1-5 to install the MSIX file. With the policy changes the app extension should install*

(Figure 1)

(Figure 2)

(Figure 3)

*legal disclaimer, I do not have any computer expertise, and I am not responsible for any damage that occurs if you follow these steps. Use at your own risk.

Additional Information

No response

Other Software

No response

[patFish]

This issue helped me identify the root cause: the command palette fails to work on systems with restrictive group policies because it requires sideloading, which is blocked by our organization's security settings. Is there a way to integrate the command palette directly into the main installer instead of sideloading it as a separate component?