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Productivity - Program Launchers (60)

Windows 7 in a box v1.0

billon on 5 Oct 2020
  • 280KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 14 Nov 2009
  • Suggested by guinness

Windows 7 in a box provides access to many settings and applications under Windows 7 all in one menu. Made by the same group that produced Windows In A Box for XP.

NOTE: Website is gone, linking to Internet Archive Wayback Machine and Softpedia.

Category:
Runs on:Win7
Writes settings to: None
Stealth: ? Yes
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download Windows_7_in_a_Box.exe to a folder of your choice and launch.
Latest comments
Emka on 2011-12-26 10:33

website seems to be down

TP109 on 2020-10-05 19:31

Portable version can be downloaded from:
https://windows-7-in-a-box.en.uptodown.com/windows/download

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Toolbox v2.85

lwc on 7 Jul 2023
  • 2MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 12 Jul 2009
  • Suggested by M. Maltbia

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.
http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/ToolBox--Review-75011.shtml

author on 2008-07-05 15:50

Latest Version 2.78 includes:
* Better support for URLs dropped onto ToolBoxes
* "Open With" now has a button to easily a program to open a file with
* Various cosmetic fixes for computers with higher DPI settings
* You can also, "Alt-click" to bring up the shortcut properties, there's a new icon library manager with drag & drop support for easy customization.

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XP SysPad v7.9.6

Midas on 13 Feb 2021
  • 566KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 15 Feb 2013
  • Suggested by CreamyPoo

XP SysPad is a program launcher that automatically locates all your applications, system utilities, control panel applets etc. on startup and presents them in a single window for easy access. It also displays a variety of other information, including process list and system details. You can minimize it to the system tray or roll it up with a right-click of the title bar.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP
Writes settings to: Writes last window position to INI file in \Windows folder. Does not affect portability in a practical sense, but writing to INI file in Windows folder very outdated.
License: Freeware
How to extract:
  1. Download the installer and extract to a folder of your choice
  2. The application is in the {app} folder
  3. Launch XPSysPad.exe
Latest comments
[BOT]Fluffy on 2007-02-12 11:34

Launchy is a spectacular launcher as well. Unfortunately it insists on building the index every time it starts instead of keeping a quick-reference database and performing small updates when necessary. Guillotine is also worthy of mention.

a on 2008-11-13 10:23

The interface menu shortcuts are better than scrambling through the start menu, desktop shortcuts, and remembering run commands. I don't consider myself a novice user, I just like the convenience of having everything in one place. Great application!

Midas on 2021-02-13 13:43

Xtort.net website is gone -- XP SysPad used to be at http://www.xtort.net/xtort/xpsyspad.php; redirected to SoftPedia.

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SWAZZ v1.2

webfork on 28 Jan 2019
  • 29KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 17 Jul 2008
  • Suggested by Cornflower

SWAZZ is an extremely lightweight utility with more than 20 functions. The program includes a system monitor, tetris game, calculator, temperature converter, command prompt shortcut, browser address bar, Google search bar, transparent clock, live sunclock wallpaper, daylight zone simulator, quick menu function, ODBC ping tool, quick SQL client, quick screenshot, alarm tool, thermometer, mail notifier, mail previewer, LAN messenger, popup killer for IE, desktop painter and map services.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP
Writes settings to: EXE file
Stealth: ? Yes
License: Free for personal use
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch SWAZZ.EXE.
Latest comments
francisks on 2007-12-15 03:28

weird thing! but i like it and it works without problems.
you have to get used to it to realize that it works properly: e.g. right-clicking means "closing".
some of the functions are quite useful the others can be disabled ;-)

Fox Cole on 2008-03-04 09:00

Okay, I can't figure out how to access the .exe launcher function (is that the Z'Menu in the setup dialog? what is Zero-Zero-Menu?) nor the browser search bar or Google search bar. I discovered I could type into the system monitor box, but it doesn't launch a search... unless this app only supports Internet Explorer. The active browser is Firefox.

The Z'Panel (I assume that's what appears in the top left corner of the display) is very difficult to activate, especially when I'm using dual monitors and the mouse pointer pops too easily over to the second monitor, which is on the left in my setup.

I'm not sure what Swazz Z'Star is, either. It appears to do nothing when I select it.

Also, the command line won't stay in the directory I change to. I'm running SWAZZ portably on WinXP SP2. My portable drive is F: today. If I tell it to cd back to the C drive, it does that but pops right back into the F drive... so I'm at the F command prompt instead of C, no matter what I do.

Fox Cole on 2008-03-06 06:33

It helps to read the Readme file packed with the application. :blush:

So that takes care of everything above except the difficulty of activating the menu (not Z'Panel) on a dual monitor, and the command line directory problem.
(WinXP Pro SP2)

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Open Menu+ v1.5.6

lwc on 7 Jul 2023
  • 12MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 11 Feb 2008
  • Suggested by guywithcable

Open Menu+ is a program launcher with a quick search feature for rapidly locating the application or file you need. You configure the base folders where all your portable apps/docs are kept, and the launcher will let you navigate through all the subfolders and launch apps/docs as desired, while automatically remembering the most recent apps/docs that you have launched.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP / Vista
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: No
Path portability: Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices
License: GPL
How to extract:
  1. Download the portable version.
  2. Extract to a folder of your choice.
  3. Launch OpenMenuPlus.exe

Optionally: You can save a substantial amount of disk space if you delete some skin folders found under the skins[/i] subfolder.
Similar/alternative apps: PortableApps Platform
Latest comments
my.name on 2009-06-03 10:16

once the icon in the tray is clicked, the menu is there all the time instead of fading away.

is there any option to automatically hide it after a number of seconds?

Emka on 2013-12-18 06:30

website down

webfork on 2013-12-22 19:28

Emka: thanks, updated

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RocketDock v1.3.5

lwc on 7 Jul 2023
  • 10MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 2 Sep 2007
  • Suggested by USBman

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:
  1. Download the installer and extract to a folder of your choice
  2. The application is in the {app} folder
  3. Create a blank file called Settings.ini in that folder
  4. Optionally, delete unnecessary language and help files and skins
  5. Launch RocketDock.exe
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

Gmacri: looks like the last release was the "final" one. You might try emailing the authors.

giulia on 2013-10-31 19:06

No Stealth
it creates this folder HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\StackDocklet

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radialM v1.9

lwc on 7 Jul 2023
  • 4MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 17 Feb 2007
  • Suggested by senfi

radialM allows you to manage your machine using radial menus (also known as pie-menu) and pull-down menus. These can be invoked using a mouse button, mouse combinations (rocket gestures) or hotkeys. You can configure each command to do almost anything, from launching an application, to sending keystrokes to a running application, to invoking another command.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Path portability: Requires manual entry of relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: GPL
How to extract:
  1. Download the ZIP or 7-ZIP package.
  2. Extract to a folder of your choice.
  3. Launch radialm.exe.
Latest comments
Midas on 2013-07-25 12:13

@Cattleya: probably because latest version was released in 2007 -- but since it is GPLed, feel free to update it, if you can... ;)

I am Baas on 2013-07-25 12:23

Aha, the Midas challenge... 1st prize?

Midas on 2013-07-25 13:40

I really wish I was a man for the job -- but to each, his own... :)

1st Prize: undying recognition from TPFC and the Internet at large? 3:)

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PStart v2.11

webfork on 26 Dec 2022
  • 769KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 7 Jun 2007
  • Suggested by Tony Chard

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:
  1. Download the installer and install using the "Portable setup" option to a folder of your choice
  2. Launch PStart.exe
Additional notes from the author (Jens Gruschel): "The installer has a combo box with all removable drives listed. But if you click the [Next] button, you can select any folder you want, so there is no need to copy the file afterwards (which you can do of course). I added this combo box, because I thought that most people would install it to a USB stick (in fact I wrote the program because I wanted such a tool for my USB stick). But since I also like programs located on my D: drive, I didn't want to limit it to removable drives."
Latest comments
_joepie_ on 2012-04-15 00:11

@webfork: problem solved;
This is what happened, I had a version of PStart from 4 years ago running on my PC at the D-drive.
When I installed the newest version of PStart on my E-drive I replaced the old version of PStart on the D-drive at the same time, however only the menu of the E-drive was working.
After your last comment that I should work, I completely removed PStart from the D-drive and reinstalled it again.
Now everything works fine, I think that some remains of the old Pstart menu was interfering..does not matter anymore, I got what I want..!!
Great, thanks a lot Webfork...
_joepie_ makes a deep bow for WF.. :)

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

The best launcher I've never used. It works very well in Windows 10, and only in 769KB.
I've love it very much.

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Y'z Dock v0.8.3

lwc on 7 Jul 2023
  • 2MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 4 Jun 2003
  • Suggested by dot

Y'z Dock is a program launcher that looks like the dock in Mac OS X. To add icons, drag-and-drop a file from Explorer to the dock area. To delete icons, drag-and-drop the icon out of the dock. To remove a separator, press [Ctrl] plus drag-and-drop the separator out of the dock. Right-click on the dock gives you the context menu. Y'z Dock supports relative paths, though it does not automatically use relative paths when you add a file.

Note: This is a beta application that is no longer being developed by the author. The original language of the application is Japanese, but you are given a choice between English and Japanese when you first run the application.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP
Writes settings to: Application folder
Unicode support: No
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch YzDock.exe.
What's new? Fixed the bug of shows the label and positioning of Dock when multi-monitor use.
Latest comments
'Los on 2006-12-07 14:46

I use RKLauncher. I THINK it picks up where Y'z left off. It's still being developed as far as I know, but it hasn't been updated since I started using it a year ago. It supports relative paths too, but doesn't use them by default.

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Hidden Menu v2.2R2

lwc on 7 Jul 2023
  • 765KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 17 Nov 2001
  • Suggested by Andrew Lee

Hidden Menu creates an invisible menu only visible when the mouse is moved over a section of your screen (by default the bottom-right). A user-defined menu pops up allowing you to launch applications, files and shortcuts. You can also drag-and-drop applications directly to this menu, which can hold multiple columns as well as labeled separators.

Category:
Runs on:Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista
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 HiddenMenu.exe.
Latest comments
Mooncrow on 2011-08-19 17:39

This could be a nice 'Pendrive Menu' but I've had problems with lost menu data.
Also, it would be nice if, when set up with 2 or 3 different menus, you don't have to jump from the left to the right or top, bottom or the corners, to access a different menu. Perhaps using 'CTRL' or 'ALT' or 'Shift' etc together with the mouse might give the menu a bit more flexibility.

Mainly though, I would say sort out the stability problem of lost info.

Mooncrow on 2011-08-19 17:44

Oh, just another thing.
When you try to get to the 'Hidden Menu Homepage' from the 'Info' tab within the program, you get a web site, [http://home.i-cable.com/lokinwai/], which seems to be Chinese.

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