Handheld work apparatus

A handheld work apparatus having a set down position when placed on a horizontal surface perpendicular to gravity, the work apparatus defining a longitudinal axis parallel to said horizontal surface when in said set down position and said handheld work apparatus comprising:

• a tool;
• a combustion engine for driving said tool;
• an air filter unit for filtering intake air of said combustion engine;
• said air filter unit including an air filter and a filter housing enclosing said air filter;
• said air filter extending along a filter axis and having a filter element disposed peripherally around said filter axis;
• said filter axis being at an angle of inclination (α) with respect to an imaginary vertical line drawn perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis with said work apparatus in said set down position;
• said filter element having an upper filter section in relation to said imaginary vertical line;
• said filter housing having, remotely from said upper filter section, at least one air intake window;
• and,
• said filter housing having, in addition to said at least one air intake window, a further upper, permanently open cold air intake window in a region of said upper filter section.