Windows 11 doesn’t have Launchpad, but the Start menu does the same job. Press the Windows key to open it, and scroll to the All section (or select All, depending on your version) to see every installed app. To launch an app the way you would with Spotlight, press Windows and just start typing its name.
On a Mac, Launchpad opened with F4 or a pinch gesture. (In macOS Tahoe, Apple replaced Launchpad with a new Apps view.) The table below matches the Mac shortcuts you know to their Windows 11 equivalents.
Quick Answer
Press Windows to open Start, then scroll to All for every app, or type an app name and press Enter.
Open Your Apps Like Launchpad
- Press the Windows key or select Start on the taskbar.
- Scroll down to the All section. Older Windows 11 versions have an All apps button in the top-right corner instead.
- Use the view menu next to All to choose Grid for a Launchpad-style layout, Category to group apps, or List.
- Select an app to open it.
The All section and view menu come with the redesigned Start menu that rolled out in late 2025. If you don’t see them, update Windows or use the All apps button.
Mac Shortcuts and Their Windows 11 Equivalents
| On a Mac | On Windows 11 | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| F4 or pinch (Launchpad) | Windows key | Show your apps |
| Command + Space (Spotlight) | Windows key, then type (or Windows + S) | Search apps, files, settings |
| Mission Control (F3) | Windows + Tab | See all open windows and desktops |
| Command + Tab | Alt + Tab | Switch between apps |
| Show Desktop (F11) | Windows + D | Show or hide the desktop |
| Command + Q | Alt + F4 | Close the app |
| Command + Option + Esc | Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager to force quit |
| Command + Shift + 4 | Windows + Shift + S | Take a screenshot of an area |
| System Settings | Windows + I | Open system settings |
Make Start Feel More Like Launchpad
- Pin favorites: Right-click an app in All and choose Pin to Start. Pinned apps appear at the top, like your first Launchpad page.
- Arrange pins: Drag pinned apps to reorder them. Drag one onto another to create a folder.
- Add to the taskbar: Right-click an app and choose Pin to taskbar, which works like keeping an app in the Dock.
- Show more pins: Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and choose More pins, if your version offers it.
You can also add app shortcuts to the desktop for one-click access.
Troubleshooting
- An app is missing from All: It may be a portable app with no installer. Find it in File Explorer and pin it to Start.
- The Windows key doesn’t open Start: Check that a game mode or keyboard lock (often Fn + Windows) isn’t turned on.
- Search finds web results first: Keep typing, or press the down arrow to reach Apps results.
Switching between open windows a lot? See our guide to tabbing between windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a full-screen Launchpad on Windows 11?
Not built in. The grid view in Start is the closest. Some third-party launchers add full-screen grids, but they aren’t needed for most people.
Where’s the Dock?
The taskbar is Windows’ Dock. You can move its icons to the left in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar alignment.
Summary
- The Start menu replaces Launchpad; press the Windows key.
- Scroll to All and choose Grid view for a Launchpad-style list.
- Type to search, like Spotlight.
- Pin favorites to Start and the taskbar.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.