Best Free Program Launcher [1]
Introduction
Windows provides a number of ways to launch installed programs or features. There's the Start Menu, there's shortcuts on the Windows desktop, there's even the Windows Search and Run features. For many people, the facilities already available are quite sufficient.
However, without organisation, the Programs section of the Start menu can become a very busy place. Programs have shortcuts placed in folders named after the program itself, or sometimes the publisher, or sometimes the category the program belongs in. If you're anything like me and you install programs a lot, you probably put the program you're installing in the default location and allow it to put a shortcut on the desktop and sometimes in the Quick Launch bar -- and once it becomes almost impossible to see your wallpaper for icons, you start deleting shortcuts you don't often use or dump them in folders on the desktop, or some other location and, over time, the natural entropy of the Universe and your own need to do stuff WITH your computer rather than spend time organising it conspire to make you wish for an easier way.
Program Launchers try to provide a more efficient way to work. Some try to help you find the program you want to run but can't find the shortcut for; some help you impose order on your system by giving you organisational tools that supercharge the facilities you have, or replace them entirely.
The approach adopted varies from product to product and ranges from dockable windows to tray icons through to keyword typing. There's no "best" approach -- what works for me might not work for you, and your next door neighbour may very well have different needs again. In my case, I use products from two different categories: I use a keyword launcher when I know exactly what I want to run, and a Start menu replacement when I know I want to run one of the programs I have in a particular category but can't remember what it's called -- or want to think about different approaches or options that I may not have considered for a given task.
Because of the sheer variety of possible approaches, you may well find that nothing presented here is perfect for you. If, for instance, you like the visual appeal of a dock-type approach but just can't find one that you're comfortable with, it can often be worth parking the idea and trying another approach entirely. Even if the alternative approaches also don't quite work for you, I often find that a way of working championed by one program can be used in another and suddenly a hybrid approach becomes the perfect way to work!
So although it can be said that each approach and product has its strengths and weaknesses, you may find that many alleged weaknesses are irrelevant and that some trumpeted strengths don't do anything helpful for you at all.
This article reviews program launchers in five subcategories below:
Best Free Program Launcher By Keyword Search
[4]
Launchy [4] [5]
An open-source and cross-platform launcher that's simple to understand, configure, use and extend.
Platforms/Download: Linux [6] | Mac OS [6] | Windows (Desktop) [6] | [7]
Version reviewed: 2.5
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
|
Read more... [5]
[9]
Find And Run Robot [9] [10]
An easy-to-use launcher with a lot of power, extensibility and configurability under its hood.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [11] | [7]
Version reviewed: 2.104.02
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
|
Read more... [10]
Best Free Program Launcher By Keyword Command
[12]
SlickRun [12] [13]
A free floating command line utility for Windows gives you instant access to any program or website with MagicWords.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [14] | [7]
Version reviewed: 4.0.5.3 beta
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
Read more... [13]
Best Free Program Launcher By Panels
[15]
8Start [15] [16]
A free portable launcher shines in many key areas like footprint and functionalities.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [17] | [7]
Version reviewed: 1.9
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
|
Read more... [16]
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [20] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 3.5/5 |
Read more... [19]
[21]
Fast Launcher [21] [22]
A replacement for traditional Windows' Quick Launch panel and Start menu.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [23] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 3.5/5 |
Read more... [22]
Best Free Program Launcher By Menus
[24]
Free Launch Bar [24] [25]
A good replacement for the standard Quick Launch Bar, with added features such as grouping of shortcuts.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [26] | [7]
Version reviewed: 2.0
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
|
Read more... [25]
[27]
JetStart [27] [28]
Offers you quick access to categorized Start Menu shortcuts, recently launched programs and system commands.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [29] | [7]
Version reviewed: 4.4
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 3.5/5 |
Read more... [28]
Other Software Suggestions
- LaunchBar Commander [30] - it's by the same author as FARR but takes a hybrid approach, between docks and menus, being able to do both with equal facility.
Best Free Program Launcher By Docks
Finally, the docks class. These tend to be graphically interesting, often featuring a configurable background shape on which appears icons for applications, documents, shortcuts or controls. They can usually be persuaded to stick themselves to a screen edge or some other location. They're often a bit like toolbars, but prettier. I have to admit I'm not an enthusiast of these type of launchers, so my tests may be limited by my lack of imagination or insight into their good points. Two specific programs of this type are worth a look.
[31]
RocketDock [31] [32]
An alpha-blended program launcher with good options for visual style, behaviour and docking position.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [33] | [7]
Version reviewed: 1.3.5
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
|
Read more... [32]
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [36] | [7]
Version reviewed: 0.981e
Gizmos Freeware [8]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
|
Read more... [35]
Other Software Suggestions
- XWindows Dock [37]
Related Products and Links
You might want to check out these articles too:
- How to Create a Program Launcher [38]
- Two Free Portable Application Launchers [39]
- Organize Your Desktop With Stardock Fences For Windows [40]
- Launch Up To 20 Programs With A Single Click [41]
Editor
This category is maintained by volunteer editor oblivion. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or suggestions they might have by clicking here [42].
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