Best Free Program Launcher
Program Launchers try to provide a more efficient way of running programs than by using the Windows Start Menu or having your desktop littered with icons. The approach adopted varies from product to product and ranges from dockable windows to tray icons through to keyword typing. None of the solutions is perfect; each has its strengths and weaknesses. However for many users, particularly power users, the keyword approach offers the most attractive option.
Launchy is currently the top product in the keyword category class. Recently upgraded to version 2, it is simple to understand, simple to configure, simple to use, simple to extend, not intrusive at all, open source. And it has a really small memory footprint too.
With Launchy you can not only launch applications but also--using the same keyword philosophy--launch your preferred media player with a specific MP3 file; invoke your preferred desktop search tool while entering a search term of your choice; have your preferred browser open on a specific bookmark or page from the history. The possibilities are virtually endless.
An alternative to Launchy is Find and Run Robot (FARR). It's actually a very similar product and now version 2 makes it the most powerful of the lot. I still rank Launchy as the category winner because of its ease of use, while FARR is reccomended only to power users. Only power users will be able to understand and exploit the full potential of FARR. While average users may find it difficult to perform the fundamental task of configuring FARR to suit their individual needs, power users will be delighted with the huge possibilities of customization, including full support for plugins, and the scoring mechanism that goes well beyond the simple extension mechanism of Launchy.
See also: Hotkey Utilities
Launchy
Website: http://www.launchy.net/
Download link: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=132975&package_id=146049
Author: Josh Karlin
Current version: 2.0
Version date: December 18, 2007
Download File size: 3.37MB
License: GPL
Operating systems supported: Windows 98-Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit version available: No
Portable version available: Can be configured as portable
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information: None
FindAndRun Robot
Website: http://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/findrun
Download link: http://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/findrun/.
Author: Mouser
Current version: 2.10.1
Version date: June 18, 2008
Download File size: 5.38MB
License: Donationcoder freeware license
Operating systems supported: Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit version available: No
Portable version available: No
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information: None
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Fabrizio Lodi.
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I use HotkeyP all the time. http://sweb.cz/petr.lastovicka/others.html
"You can assign a keyboard shortcut, a mouse shortcut or a joystick shortcut to any executable file, document, folder or WWW page. You can also use all multimedia keys, the fourth and fifth mouse buttons and a remote control (if you install WinLIRC). Other commands are: remove USB drive(s), change keys in other applications, shutdown, restart, lock computer, start a screen saver, change the desktop resolution, set window opacity, audio volume, set process priorities, terminate applications, eject CD, set CD speed, show disk free space, empty the recycle bin, delete temporary files, change desktop wallpaper, save/restore desktop icons positions, minimize any application to the system tray, hide window, change window transparency, zoom tool, screenshot to BMP file, set window always on top, paste date/time or any text, ..."
Also I like it more then other hotkey managers because you can use mouse hotkeys, for example: fourth mouse button + left mouse button, 4MB+RMB, 5MB+LMB, middle MB + ...
Thank you for the suggestion. I'm thinking anout dividing the category in sub-categories: lanuchy-like, hotkeys, standard (mouse click on a shortcut of any type)
Bye
I use Winkey for the past 5 years --to start programs, to open folders/files/websites using shortcuts
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/WinKey.shtml 1.8MB
Thank you for the suggestion.
I have been using PowerPro for many years and still like it a lot. Very powerful. You can do anything, which is scary at first... It took me a while to set it up just how I wanted. But after that it's great. I made a tiny self-hiding launchbar at the top of my screen for my usual programs and folders. It's much faster than the Start menu.
http://powerpro.webeddie.com
This software was already suggested by another site visitor. I've installed and used it for nearly a month, and I've found it powerful but sometimes instable (during some test I've got some errors, and one time even a system crash), this is the reason why it is not included. I still have 11 software suggested in review to add, not counting the software I've already exluded. This category is one of the more "populated", so I've to make choices because not all the apps can be included.
This is why I think are so important comments like yours, in order to let site visitor found also links to software for some reason not included in the review.
Bye, and thank you!
Maybe add a list of the alternatives that didn't make it or are still being reviewed at the end of the main review, that way people don't have to read through endless comments.
This is a good suggestion, but right now is not praticable because the review format requires the complete information you see right now for every software mentioned in the review itself. You can imagine the hughe and unreadable list it can became.
I'll ask permission to list alternatives not reviewed with only a subset of the information.
Thank you.
Some of the categories do it this way already, look at the "Best Free CD/DVD Burning Software" (http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-program-launcher.htm) as an example. I think the top choices can have all the details listed as it currently stands, just mention the others, however is interested in those can just Google it.
Yes, but it is not standard. Right now we are discussing on the editors' mailing list about the standard to adopt.
As soon as it will be released, I'll insert it.
Bye.
I've tried many different launchers (many not listed here) so it's obviously a very active and well populated category. My favourite is definitely JetAudio's jetToolBar v3.8.1. I particularly prefer its ability to use small icons where many others do not. JetAudio doesn't seem to be doing anything with it any more but I find it very good for the way I work. You set up categories which are accessed through tabs and the programs are simply drag-n-drop to add to the category. It can have an autohide (my choice) and can hold any kind of link to launch websites or files. Uses 2400K on my XP laptop but it's holding many, many links.
Voice Recognition feature seems cool.
For years I have used a Windows toolbar to do this..
(1) Create a folder, e.g. c:\somefolder > You may find it helpful to create this folder in "My Documents"
(2) Place shortcuts in to this folder
(3) Right-Click on your taskbar, select "Toolbars", select "New Toolbar..."
(4) Navigate to your new folder
(5) Right-click on the Taskbar and select "Lock the Taskbar" uncheck the checkbox
(6) Grab the bar: "somefolder" and drag it to dock with the top or side of the screen
(7) Right-click on the new bar and deselect "Show Title"
(8) Right-click on the new bar and deselect "Show Text"
(9) Right-click on the new bar and select "Auto-Hide", if desired
(10) Right-click the Taskbar and select "Lock the Taskbar" to check the checkbox
Now, you can launch applications at anytime and have quick access to them..
You can drag, delete, etc. the shortcuts too from the newly created bar.
It may take some getting used to, but it has always served well..
Most importantly, you don't have to install any third-party app!
Kent
I have to admit that this was also my solution before getting addicted to launchy :-)
bye
Not a big invention I would say, you really just have to «(3) Right-Click on your taskbar, select "Toolbars"», select "Desktop" and there you have it. But you cannot acess it from keyboard, and you only have basic features; I use to work like that before FARR.
Someone suggested this over at the "Best Free Start Menu Replacement" category, but it fits in perfectly here: Guillotine (http://www.zchromosome.com/).
Added to the - very long! - list of tools to test!
bye
I use Executor (http://www.executor.dk/) and find it fantastic.
It's true setup can be a little anachronistic, but flawless once going.
I didn't known it, thank you for the hint. I'll chek it.
Bye
Another one to watch is Executor (http://home25.inet.tele.dk/mb/executor/index.html). Seemed a bit complicated though, and I didn't have the patience to sit and figure it out. Staying with FARR2 for now.
Added to the tools to review :-)
thank you
I started out using Tray Command Line, then SlickRun, followed by Launchy all great programs in their own right. I probably used Launchy the longest until a little over a month or so ago when I changed to FARR. In fact I have a review of some of those on my site ( http://xrl.in/90w ). I have thoroughly used and tested FARR on both XP and Vista machines with nothing but praise for it.
I ran into a problem with Launchy on Vista with the "Launchy must close" senario after some time, usually after several hours of computer time. I will admit I did a minimum amount of troubleshooting, but was unable to find the problem and changed to FARR.
I do not agree that FARR has a more difficult learning curve. I would say because it has more features, it can have a longer learning curve. However it is very easy for a new user to use FARR's basic 'launch programs' feature and as time goes on - later learn to use the search and other functions listed under 'agroups'.
In my opinion FARR starts programs faster than any of the other listed programs, and if you are a keyboard person it has numerous other quick action features. Because I am involved in web pages and blog activities, I even use several FARRs at once on several computers via desktop remote. In all cases it has been stable, fast and reliable.
Everyone has personal opinions about programs like these and this would be my seven cents worth.
(¯`·._.·ns¢ävË·._.·´¯)
I don't think too that FARR has a more difficult learning curve, expecially if you don't use it in advanced mode, so probably what I've written is not as clear as I thought. I encourage everyone - being this a wiki - to correct me :-)
But I thing FARR is more difficult to understand and to config. The file extension mechanims used by Launchy and other is far more simple to understand to every average winodows user, and even if you spend little or no time configuring it, Lanchy still works well.
Instead, the scoring mechanism of FARR - while it is in my opnizion a true improvement for the category - is still a too complex concept for an average user that will not understand the reason of the order FARR will present the searched programs. If FARR will implement an alternative file extension indexing mechanism, it will be for sure the Launcy successor. But right now - of course in my opinion - is not suited for the average user.
But, hey, it is only my opinion and this category probably is one of the most "personal" for every user ... :-)
Feel free - as I've said - to contribute to the review.
Thanks, that answered my question. I was sticking with Launchy because a few months ago FARR was not an alternative for Vista. V1 was excellent, V2 must be even better, for keyboard guys there's nothing better. I do understand your scepticism on the review, but this is a wiki and let's hope our contribution is taken into account!
"I do not agree that FARR has a more difficult learning curve." That is true, I installed it and have never really tinkered with the settings, runs perfectly.
How is the new FARR 2 behaving now a days? Does it use more resources and its slower than Launchy? Is it stable, do the new plugins affect it's performance?
Launchy si ligher on resources, but you shouldn't notice the difference. Except if you load thousands of plugins :-)
Bye
I'd like to see 2 sections in this category (or maybe even 2 different categories). One for keyboard-based launchers like Launchy and FARR, and another for "icon bar" type programs, like docks, PowerPro, button bars, etc. I use FARR, but I'd still like something a bit better than the standard "quick launch" bar as well.
I agree the two type are different, I'm working on a version of the category wich incoludes both with a winner for each one.
Thank you.
Thanks for the reviews. Looking forward to the next update. - Drengin
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