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

Launchy
An open-source and cross-platform launcher that's simple to understand, configure, use and extend.

Platforms/Download: Linux | Mac OS | Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2.5
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Find And Run Robot
An easy-to-use launcher with a lot of power, extensibility and configurability under its hood.

Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2.104.02
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Best Free Program Launcher By Keyword Command

SlickRun
A free floating command line utility for Windows gives you instant access to any program or website with MagicWords.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 4.0.5.3 beta
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Best Free Program Launcher By Panels

Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 1.9
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 3.5/5 |
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Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 3.5/5 |
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Best Free Program Launcher By Menus

Free Launch Bar
A good replacement for the standard Quick Launch Bar, with added features such as grouping of shortcuts.

Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2.0
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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JetStart
Offers you quick access to categorized Start Menu shortcuts, recently launched programs and system commands.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 4.4
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 3.5/5 |
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Other Software Suggestions
- LaunchBar Commander - 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.

RocketDock
An alpha-blended program launcher with good options for visual style, behaviour and docking position.

Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 1.3.5
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 0.981e
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Other Software Suggestions
Related Products and Links
You might want to check out these articles too:
- How to Create a Program Launcher
- Two Free Portable Application Launchers
- Organize Your Desktop With Stardock Fences For Windows
- Launch Up To 20 Programs With A Single Click
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Comments
You fellas seem to be confusing "working" in a 64-bit architecture and actually BEING a 64-bit app. Way different meanings.
Hi!
Recently I started using this very simple tool:
http://gimespace.com/quickmenu.html
It is for free, and I must say, I'm impressed. It makes the way I work in windows so much faster. I assigned the popup key to my left extra mouse button and switching between tasks and launching new onces has become a delight!
This really changed the way i work in windows, I made the taskbar hide away and enjoy my whole screen space for my full screen applications and know that all my open windows are just one mouse click and a tiny little mouse move away.
simply great!
Tony.
That is another program, the right link is this:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/GiMeSpace-QuickMenu....
But the brothersoft link does like back to this link directly to their site:
[Direct file link removed - not permitted]
I am sorry but with CPU usage at 45 - 100%, however much I like Launchy, I need to find an alternative. No matter what I change in the settings I cannot get the usage to drop below 45% and that is unacceptable.
I've been using Quick Launch for years and am satisfied.
http://www.horstmuc.de/wqsel.htm
FSL Launcher is The BEST !!
FSL Launcher + dexpot + rocketdock = Perfect “OSX”.
Windows Start Menu, 8start, Free Launch Bar, ... ...
there exists a serious flaw: Screen utilization rate is LOW! and I think there will be some useless features.
I want to Launcher can be like in OS X that:
1. Activation (show) in Screen HotZone(corner of the screen).
2. Hotkey.
3. Easy to manage a large number of programs.
4. No keyboard operation.
5. Can take advantage of screen space.
6. Simple & easy used.
I found a list of launch programs (http://en.softonic.com/windows/program-launch-toolbars), many of them tried. I found that best meets my requirements is FSL Launcher (worked on Windows7 x64), although it has not been updated for a long time.
Dexpot = OSX Mission Control + Spaces
FSL Launcher = OSX Launchpad
Rocketdock = OSX "Dock"
Thank reminder! I did not actually download it from there, I get the software information from that site, such as website, then go to the official website to download. I hate them downloader.
Hi oblivion,
A year ago you wrote you were evaluating Executor (http://executor.dk/).
Why hasn't it made the list, so far?
I've been a long term user of SlickRun (and other key command based launchers), but some years ago I exchanged it for Executor and I'm still very happy with that decision.
It's certainly worth a spot in this list!
I second this motion. One of the greatest things about Executor is that it can be made truly portable from system to system.
Just to expand a little more, Executor is portable in the sense that it automatically accepts a different drive letter on external hard drive, etc. As long as programs are stored on the same drive or have the same common location as in notepad, this feature works.
>> it doesn't seem to be under active development
You seem to be right.
However,
- SlickRun isn't under active development neither. Although it is in the list.
- that doesn't need to be a problem. I'm using it for 2 years now without any issues or extra requirement I'd have.
>> I struggled to find anything on the website clarifying the license under which it's released.
The site says:
Welcome to Executor. A multi purpose launcher and more advanced and customizable **freeware** windows run replacement and more..
Btw, I looked for an alternative for SlickRun because I had (hanging/delay) issues with it.
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