Handy Tool is a local-first dictation tool for Windows. Press a key, speak, and the text is
delivered into whatever field you were working in.
Transcription runs on your machine using local Whisper, Parakeet, Moonshine or SenseVoice
models, with GPU acceleration through Vulkan. No account is required and no audio or
transcript leaves the machine unless you configure a remote provider.
It also includes push-to-talk, a transcribe-and-submit mode, a keyboard typer for contexts
where pasting is blocked, and a window-anchoring system for delivering dictation into a
specific window across multiple screens or remote desktop sessions.
Handy Tool is a fork of Handy by CJ Pais, developed independently.
Publisher’s description
What is Handy Tool?
Handy Tool is an open-source notes & to-do program for Windows from Patrick R. It is written in C++.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 64-bit as EXE (NSIS). It can be installed for the current user only, without administrator rights. The installer supports unattended (silent) installation.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.2.3, released on October 15, 2026. 3 versions are listed since September 30, 2026, each with links to its own installer files. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (patrick-1984/handy-tool) has 4 stars. Similar programs include Obsidian, Logseq and QOwnNotes.
Project description on GitHub: “Privacy-first focused personal transcriber. Press a key, speak, and the words land in the window you meant - even a buried terminal or an RDP session. ”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Installs without administrator rights
- Updated in the last two months
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
In short: Handy Tool is an open-source notes & to-do tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Handy Tool safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
012A0C690FC4FFB72D155CDE7C620C3363ABE6310BCB1DEFBFD47D39C821B3D0· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 3 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2.3Latest | October 15, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2.0.3 | September 30, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2.0.2 | September 30, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id patrick-1984.HandyTool -eHandy.Tool_2.2.3_x64-setup.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Patrick R
- Category
- Notes & to-do
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/patrick-1984/handy-tool
- Written in
- C++
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Version
- 2.2.3
- Released
- October 15, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- September 30, 2026
- Versions listed
- 3
- GitHub stars
- 4
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- patrick-1984.HandyTool
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Handy Tool free?
Yes. Handy Tool is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is Handy Tool safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Handy Tool with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Handy Tool be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Handy Tool run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of Handy Tool?
The versions page lists all 3 versions with links to their official installer files, back to September 30, 2026.
Can I use Handy Tool without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to Handy Tool?
Obsidian, Logseq, QOwnNotes, Evernote and Super Productivity. The alternatives page compares them.
