Use the Windows key for Spotlight or Raycast search on Mac
By Wondering Works, maker of Windsify · Updated
With Windsify 1.4.20 or later, tap and release the bare Windows key to open your selected search app on Mac. This works in Free and Pro. Spotlight is the default; you can choose an installed Raycast instead. In Pro, Win+S and Win+R use the same choice.
Choose your search app
- Install Windsify and complete its Accessibility setup. Enable Windows keyboard shortcuts.
- Open Windsify settings → Keyboard (advanced) → Windows key search.
- Choose Spotlight or Raycast. Raycast must already be installed.
- Press the Windows key by itself and release it. Confirm the search field is visible, then type an app name.
The selection is saved across Windsify restarts. Holding Windows while pressing another key remains a modifier chord; releasing that chord does not trigger bare-key search. Physical Control stays Control: choosing a search app does not swap modifier keys.
| Shortcut | Free | Pro or Pro trial |
|---|---|---|
| Windows key, tap and release | Open selected search app | Open selected search app |
| Win+S · Win+R | These Pro search shortcuts are not included | Open the same selected search app |
Spotlight: use the enabled system shortcut
Windsify uses the currently enabled system shortcut for Show Spotlight search. It does not assume Command+Space is available, and does not change the system shortcut. Your existing shortcut and the menu bar search button remain available. See Apple’s Spotlight guide.
If Spotlight could not open, go to System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Spotlight. Enable Show Spotlight search and set a shortcut that does not conflict with input-source switching. Try the system shortcut first, then try the Windows key. If sending the configured shortcut fails, restart Windsify and retry; you can still open Spotlight from the menu bar.
Raycast: install it and finish setup first
Install Raycast from raycast.com, open it, and complete first-launch setup. Close Raycast Settings before testing so Raycast can show Root Search. If you still see Raycast Settings instead of search, close that window and try the Windows key again.
Existing Raycast and system hotkeys stay unchanged. If they overlap, choose a separate Raycast hotkey in Raycast settings. Selecting Raycast in Windsify does not rewrite that hotkey.
When the Windows key does not open search
- Raycast is missing: install it from raycast.com, or choose Spotlight in Windsify settings.
- Raycast cannot activate: open Raycast from Applications and retry, or choose Spotlight.
- The wrong Raycast window appears: finish first-launch setup and close Raycast Settings, then confirm Root Search actually opens.
- Spotlight does not appear: check its enabled system shortcut and input-source conflicts using the steps above.
- Translation is paused or the app is excluded: check Windsify’s keyboard engine and conflict status. Secure input, application exclusions and native-input guards can prevent translation. Test in an ordinary local app rather than a password field; use Shortcut Help if the result is unexpected.
Windows-key search is available in Windsify 1.4.20 and later. See the release notes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows-key search a Pro feature?
No. Tapping and releasing the bare Windows key opens the selected search app in both Free and Pro. Win+S and Win+R use that selection in Pro.
Does Windsify replace my Spotlight or Raycast hotkey?
No. Existing system and Raycast shortcuts remain unchanged. Spotlight uses the currently enabled system search shortcut; if it is disabled or unavailable, enable and configure it in System Settings.
Why does Raycast activate without showing Root Search?
App activation does not prove Root Search is visible. Complete Raycast first-launch setup and close Raycast Settings, then try again. If activation fails, open Raycast from Applications or choose Spotlight.
The download includes a 14-day full Pro trial; Free features remain after it ends. Pro is currently US$14.99 early bird, regularly US$19.99, paid once for up to 3 Macs with all future updates. See pricing.