Lacuna Launcher uses a single shortcut with a list of files to open all at once. Applications (.exe), shortcuts (.lnk), internet shortcuts (.url), images, music, movies, etc.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
License: | Freeware (Donationware) |
How to extract: |
Note: Command-line options are available to give you more control over timing of the launches and the ability to create multiple lists and specify which you would like to use. To launch files with command line parameters, create a shortcut with the parameters set, and use the path to the shortcut file (.lnk) in the list, instead of a direct path to the application. |
Similar/alternative apps: | Splat |
Latest comments |
jonezrin
on 2012-05-10 14:38
Been using this app for a few years and it's great. I work part time at 3 different jobs and have a list created for each office. Run the appropriate command line first thing in the morning and all the programs/files I need for the day are loaded and ready to go.
Joe
on 2015-02-02 14:35
A good simple alternative to Splat if you are only interested in launching programs.
TP109
on 2015-11-17 01:33
Add comment
3›
Very useful and simple tool for launching programs, opening folders, URLs, etc. with a shortcut. Launch lists use a text file so it's super easy to modify lists quickly and easily with the default txt editor. |
Zoom allows you to have virtual video meetings, voice and/or video chat, screen sharing, and more. zmPortable is a portable launcher for this virtual meeting and collaboration platform.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the self-extracting EXE to a folder of your choice and run it. Launch zmPortable.exe. |
Latest comments | Add comment 1› |
Simple x264/x265 Launcher is a video encoder with a variety of configurations and preset templates. Includes full batch encoding support, as well as running several encoding jobs in parallel.
The program is a lightweight front-end for the x264 H.264/AVC as well as the x265 H.265/HEVC encoder, based on the Qt toolkit. The program also uses the 64-Bit version of x264 with the 32-Bit version of Avisynth, which lets you use 32-Bit Avisynth plug-ins (e.g. DGDecodeNV) and still benefit from the speed improvements of 64-Bit x264.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Dependencies: |
|
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
License: | GNU GPLv2 |
How to extract: |
|
What's new? | See: https://github.com/lordmulder/Simple-x264-Launcher/releases |
Latest comments |
Midas
on 2022-06-19 08:21
See all
12›
@jenss: don't think so, it's still available if you click "enter website" link in the bottom right corner -- the landing page is a form of war protest by the web owner. |
Splat (Simple Program Launching and Termination) allows you to build profiles that can launch or close programs and services. Supports drag-and-drop, hotkeys, process priority, and includes the ability to open specific files, folders, URLs, and even other Splat profiles. The program can aggressively close (kill) applications that may not shut down normally or add delays of time, CPU usage, or whether the previous program has closed yet.
Great for a computer startup sequence that won't slow down your computer or for switching between different separate program groups (such switching from a view all your financial programs, data, and files to all your photo/video editing tools)
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win7 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Dependencies: | Administrator rights |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch Splat.exe. |
Similar/alternative apps: | Lacuna Launcher |
What's new? |
Applause for "Best new portable freeware of 2015" ! |
Latest comments |
webfork
on 2015-01-18 22:43
I very quickly integrated this into the startup sequence on both of my main machines. Great to get multiple portable software up and running in a system-friendly way.
Midas
on 2015-01-19 13:16
Add comment
2›
Thanks, webfork. Your comment made me realize that Splat can be used as a start-up manager... duh! |
AutoRun LWMenu is a control menu that can launch applications, URLs, system commands, etc.
It's not only portable itself, but acts as a portabilizer so the launched apps will become portable too. In fact, it can back up and restore whole registry values/folders/files of the programs it launches (or just use symlinks to run folders/files portably), including a simulator to test everything.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | GPL |
How to extract: |
|
Similar/alternative apps: | PortableApps.com Platform |
What's new? | See here |
Latest comments |
-ElCoyot-
on 2024-03-14 08:11
Add comment
1›
If you understand the program well, you can create portable software that leaves no traces in the system. |
PortAL is lightweight launcher based on hotkeys, menus, and system tray icons. Note that all of PortAL configuration is based on a single XML file which contains the list and the organization of applications.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Dependencies: | MSVCR90.DLL MSVCP90.DLL |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | GPL |
How to extract: |
Note: To extract the 64-bit version too, choose "Auto Rename" (u) when prompted. The 32-bit executable is smaller in size. |
What's new? |
Full changelog at https://github.com/obsidev/guipro/releases. |
Latest comments |
Shadeclan
on 2015-07-03 17:22
See all
8›
Current PortAL version is now 1.5 as of 22 Jun 2015. |
Famulus is a simple file and application launcher, and Windows Run replacement. Press and hold the numpad * key for a fraction of a second to bring up a text prompt. Type a predefined custom command and hit the Enter key to run an associated file, folder, application or website.
Written in AutoHotkey.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Path portability: | Requires manual entry of relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | Freeware/Open Source |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch Famulus.exe. |
Similar/alternative apps: | Run-Command |
What's new? |
|
Latest comments |
Cornflower
on 2012-04-06 13:58
I added the commands famulus and "famulus ini" to manually add/edit commands and settings (and use the mouse less). This is a great find. Thanks, dmg.
guinness
on 2012-05-24 23:15
@loner - How many times do we have to tell you, don't flood the comments section with irrelevant comments. Use the Forum please.
Cornflower
on 2019-02-14 10:29
See all
5›
For those interested, I continue to use Famulus on Windows 10, both Home and Corporate editions. |
RocketDock is a smoothly animated, alpha-blended program launcher that resembles the "dock" found in Mac OS X. It features a simple drag-and-drop interface, multi-monitor support, running application indicators, compatibility with most dock skin format, relative path support etc.
Though it's no longer maintained, its basic functions were tested to work on up to at least Windows 11.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Requires manual entry of drive-less absolute path (eg. \docs\personal\work.doc without the drive letter) |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: |
|
What's new? | See here. |
Latest comments |
Gmacri
on 2010-09-22 17:41
Somebody know if there will be a program update?
webfork
on 2010-09-23 17:14
See all
34›
Gmacri: looks like the last release was the "final" one. You might try emailing the authors. |
QuickWayToFolders provides quick and easy access to a folder on your computer via a taskbar icon. The program window disappears when you click outside the window. Display modes include:
Category: | |
Runs on: | WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Unicode support: | No |
Path portability: | Requires manual entry of relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | GNU GPLv2 |
How to extract: |
|
What's new? |
|
Latest comments |
TP109
on 2016-03-21 12:48
@thehop
smaragdus
on 2016-03-21 21:28
@billon
Midas
on 2016-05-24 11:17
See all
10›
The version discrepancy should be noted -- the changelog at http://jacquelin.potier.free.fr/QuickWayToFolders/history.php stops at v1.3.4 ... |
ASuite is a lightweight program launcher that allows you to define a hierarchical list of menus for launching applications, folders and web links from the system tray. Includes search tab, scheduling, hotkeys, most recently used programs list, custom background, automation tools on startup/shut down and more.
The program can scan for applications or import file structures from WinPenPack, Pstart, and other launchers. Supports relative paths.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | No |
Path portability: | Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices |
License: | GNU GPLv3 |
How to extract: | Download the 7z package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch ASuite.exe. |
Similar/alternative apps: | Pstart, PortableApps Platform, WinPenPack NetMenu |
What's new? |
See: https://github.com/salvadorbs/Asuite/releases |
Latest comments |
PAFuser
on 2021-02-02 09:45
I tried, unable to get captcha correct. Posted on https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuite/ instead. Tried Asuite contact again, still not able to read captcha correctly.
El Salvador
on 2021-05-05 13:06
See all
35›
Hi, sorry for the delay, I am only now reading your message. |
jPortable (formerly Java Portable) allows you to easily add a Java runtime environment to your portable device. It can be used in combination with jPortable Launcher to open Java JAR programs (many with their settings made portable) or used automatically with Java-enabled apps like PortableApps.com versions of LibreOffice and OpenOffice as well as web browsers like Chrome/Chromium, Opera, SeaMonkey and Firefox.
Category: | |
Runs on: | WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | None |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | Freeware / Partially Open Source |
How to extract: |
Download the EXE and install to the folder CommonFiles\Java relative to the applications that use Java. For example:
|
What's new? |
See: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/8all-relnotes.html#R180_411 |
Latest comments |
SYSTEM
on 2011-03-06 07:57
I've got jPortable working with X-LibreOffice as well. :)
webfork
on 2011-06-21 21:50
freakazoid: jPortable can work independently of PA programs, including muCommander and some others I've tested. I tried to edit the entry to help give some idea of how to make that work.
REVerdi
on 2020-03-09 21:17
See all
5›
CommonFiles\Java64 don't need to be at the root of the app folder. |
Unlocker Assistant helps unlock files locked by operating system permissions or other issues. The program automatically launches if you are trying to delete/rename/move a file that is locked. When not in use, it stays in your system tray bar. Additionally, individual locked files and folders may be drag-and-dropped onto unlocker.exe.
Alternatively, Unlocker Portable (beta) is a launcher-only version of Unlocker.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Dependencies: | Administrator rights |
License: | Donationware |
How to extract: | Use Unlocker Portable |
Similar/alternative apps: | FileASSASSIN |
What's new? |
|
Latest comments |
olliebean
on 2015-08-23 18:21
Is this still available? I clicked on the portable download from the website, which redirected me to a download site, which redirected me to another download site... about half a dozen sites later with no download in sight, one of them finally tried to get me to download and install a dodgy "Download Software Manager" app. I gave up at that point.
Guido76
on 2021-10-22 08:09
See all
35›
I don't understand why we find today this software which is always at the same version since 2013. The site of the designer even seems abandoned. Several links are broken (404 error). This doesn't take away anything from this excellent software, but it doesn't add anything new. |
WinBar is a system monitoring utility that provides information on CPU, memory, hard disk, battery etc. in a collapsible bar located at the top of the screen. It has various modules that you can enable/disable that provides access to a wide range of functions, including email, news, network time synchronization, application launcher etc.
WinBar is available in 32 and 64 bit editions.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
License: | GPL v3 |
How to extract: |
|
Latest comments |
Technomancer
on 2008-03-13 11:59
Nice neat utility. I can keep an eye on the CPU usage and see if it seems excessive.
Billy Bob
on 2010-04-05 23:44
See all
4›
Look at Glint as an alternate, it shows CPU, disk and more |
PStart is an easy-to-use system tray program launcher with a hierarchical list of menus for launching applications and documents, much like the Windows "Start" menu. Includes support for drag-and-drop program management, customizable look and feel, program auto and scheduled start, search, and much more.
Unlike many other launchers, PStart automatically uses relative paths when adding applications and documents, so portability is automatically preserved when changing drive letters as long as the applications and documents are located in the same drive as PStart.
Note: 64-bit OS users may wish to use this in a compatibility mode.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: |
|
Latest comments |
_joepie_
on 2012-04-15 00:11
@webfork: problem solved;
webfork
on 2012-09-22 19:54
The program does indeed have minor problems on Win7: I frequently have to restart in order to get to the "Panel" view. Based on developer activity to date, we are unlikely to see an update to fix this.
albert
on 2017-04-12 22:18
See all
86›
The best launcher I've never used. It works very well in Windows 10, and only in 769KB. |
Portable Start Menu is a program launcher that allows you to organize your programs via a simple menu system and launch them through a tray icon. If you are running from an USB memory stick, Portable Start Menu can be configured to automatically close all launched applications when it terminates.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: |
|
Similar/alternative apps: | ASuite, PStart, SyMenu |
What's new? |
|
Latest comments |
starshakur
on 2017-04-06 16:56
See all
39›
psmstart.exe may be essential to launch 64-bit applications (psmenu.exe doesn't start with either missing), but that doesn't change the fact that psmenu.exe is a 32-bit application. |
Qsel is a flexible program launcher with categories and icons. It supports easy configuration of launcher items via drag-and-drop.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: |
|
What's new? | See: https://www.horstmuc.de/wnews.htm |
Latest comments |
Midas
on 2012-09-14 15:58
I'm having the same problem with another launcher, and horst explanation seems pretty accurate to me...
Napiophelios
on 2015-03-15 16:22
I have used this program for a long time and I really like it;
aazard
on 2020-11-12 07:03
See all
18›
Note: 2020-11-12, still 100% functional, VERY nice option at its size |
PortableApps.com Platform is an all-in-one tool for portable software download, management and updating. An included launcher shows nested folders organized automatically by function or favorite status, as well as a cascading app view on right-click of the tray icon. The program's appearance can be customized with transparency and several color, texture, and background options.
Other tools include a find-as-you-type search functionality, available cloud installation, drive error checker, backup/restore utility, portable fonts, automatic application closing on shutdown and more. The program can also work with portable software outside of the PortableApps format (see Extract instructions).
Functional in 64-bit and WINE, includes broad language support and proxy support.
Category: | |
Runs on: | WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 / Wine |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | Freeware/Open Source |
How to extract: |
To add non-PortableApps applications place the program in its own subfolder under the \PortableApps subfolder and press F5 or restart. The new app will appear in the launcher menu under Other. |
Similar/alternative apps: | AutoRun LWMenu |
What's new? | See: https://portableapps.com/platform/changelog |
Latest comments |
ihateyou
on 2013-03-15 21:39
The PortableApps Platform has been updated (a few times) since this was last updated.
shnbwmn
on 2018-05-10 03:26
See all
24›
Latest version (v15.0) now supports .NET programs, the first of which appears to be KeePass Professional (or 2.x). |
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch keypirinha.exe. |
What's new? |
See: https://keypirinha.com/changelog.html |
HoeKey lets you assign most keys on your keyboard to various different actions. You can use it to run programs, control window actions, create and run aliases, hide/unhide windows, or even use it as a portable launcher.
Configuration is done in a text file access by Edit Config.
Category: | |
Runs on: | WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Path portability: | Requires manual entry of relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: |
|
Similar/alternative apps: | Clavier+, X-HotkeyP, Slickrun, TyperTask, HotKeyz |
What's new? |
|
Latest comments |
BGM
on 2015-11-02 15:54
Oh - forgot - with HoeKey you also get a little panel that lists all of the hotkeys you assigned. That's really handy.
webb
on 2015-11-03 04:01
See all
4›
It's now at version 2.0 |
PopMenu, a small menu (program launcher), is started either by a hotkey or a click on the tray icon. It is able to handle changing drive letters and therefore it is particularly suitable as a starter for an USB stick.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | No |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch PopMenu.exe. |
XVA Assistant is a stylish launcher for programs, files and websites, organizing items into panels and folders. The program can reside either in task-bar next to start menu (Cool XVA-Button) or in sustem tray. The program supports skins (any BMP, JPG and PNG images) and two view modes: "View as Pad" and "View as Phone".
Other features include autostart, always on top, animation effects, minimize after launch, minimize on losing focus, hot key and more.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | Yes |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch XVA.exe |
Similar/alternative apps: | Qsel |
What's new? |
See: https://www.softpedia.com/progChangelog/XVA-Assistant-Changelog-251045.html |
Latest comments |
Stroport
on 2017-09-09 07:41
Good news, this app is interesting is there a place to post features suggestions ?
__philippe
on 2017-09-09 11:28
Perhaps contact developer XuanYuan YuShun directly ?
Belga
on 2017-09-11 16:56
See all
9›
That's the best solution. |
Task Coach is a simple todo manager to keep track of personal tasks and todo lists. It grew out of a frustration that most task managers do not provide facilities for several activities so Task Coach was designed to deal with composite tasks. In addition, it offers effort tracking, categories and notes.
Task Coach Portable includes a PortableApps.com format launcher to handle portablisation. X-Task Coach is also available from the download page.
Cross-platform (OS X, Linux, BSD and iOS) with synchronisation features available via the Funambol service.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | GNU GPLv3 |
How to extract: | Download the "PortableApps Format" self-extracting EXE and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch TaskCoachPortable.exe. |
What's new? |
See: https://www.taskcoach.org/changes.html |
Porta'Menu is a small menu launcher that supports relative paths for portable use. You can arrange the menu items in any order, as well as categorize them under different program groups. It has an optional anti-virus/spyware feature to check an EXE against its hash signature for changes and/or tampering before launch.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Dependencies: | Administrator rights |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | No |
License: | Freeware (Donations Accepted) |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch PortaMenu.exe. |
Latest comments |
Homer
on 2010-08-03 11:53
That is a good hint 1way. But is there a trick to make it launch a web address?
1way
on 2010-08-03 14:34
Sure Homer. For portability I use Browzar for private trackless surfing, put this in your .bat file: browzar http://www.1way.ws If you want to use Internet Explorer use: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" http://www.1way.ws (I'm using XP, if you use a different OS adjust the path to IE accordingly, the downside is the link then becomes OS dependent.)
Homer
on 2010-08-11 13:20
See all
7›
Thanks 1way. It works well provided that the browser is in Porta'Menu's foder. |
Svift is a lightweight application launcher. Type a few letters to find applications on your Start menu or access online services such as search and email.
Category: | |
Runs on: | WinXP / Vista / Win7 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch Svift.exe. |
What's new? | By popular request from Svift users under Windows 7, the shortcut key has been changed from Win+Space (which conflicted with Aero Peek) to Win+Enter. |
Latest comments |
freakazoid
on 2011-04-18 05:08
See all
4›
It appears that you can't. It's a simple launcher that parses your Start Menu. Can configure some websites as well, but that appears to be it. |
ToolBox is an alternative application launcher for Windows. It helps you organize your desktop and get rid of numerous shortcuts that take up valuable space on it. It handles almost anything you can throw at it: applications, drives, folders, files and control panel applets. It also supports relative paths for portable use.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | Yes |
Unicode support: | No |
Path portability: | Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc) |
License: | Freeware |
How to extract: | Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch toolbox.exe. |
Latest comments |
Kermode
on 2008-03-28 20:57
Current version does not take into account user might have set high DPI in windows (like me) and then calculates its framesize incorrectly (can't see all buttons)
netslave
on 2008-07-04 02:31
Softpedia has a review on their site.
author
on 2008-07-05 15:50
See all
16›
Latest Version 2.78 includes: |