21 Windows Apps – Launchy

Launchy is one of those apps that I was immediately hooked on the moment I started using it. It’s one of those apps that just makes perfect sense.

For those that are all about speed, speed and more speed when it comes to productivity, you can’t get much better than Launchy; it is an application launcher that does its thing 100% by keystrokes.

Launchy stays in the background, requires only a bare minimum of memory to run and can be executed at any time by the default ALT+SPACE keystroke.

An example of how Launchy works: You want to launch a Firefox web browser. ALT+SPACE, start typing firefox and before the e in fire you’ll see it. Then press enter. App is launched. If you want to launch Firefox with a specific url: ALT+SPACE, firefox, TAB, [url here], enter. Done.

I use Launchy so much that I can’t use Windows without it. This app launcher does the job better than any other. Google Desktop can’t touch it. Try it and you’ll see why.

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http://ravineshomeownersassociation.org/greg/ Greg Wicks
I back you up on this one Rich, after you told me about it on Ustream.tv, I have been addicted to it.
Can’t Launchy do more than just programs? I think you can select what it indexes in the options.

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Well it’s primary function is an application launcher (hence the name), but yes there is the built-in calculator (calcy), built-in file browser (explory) and some other goodies besides that. It can even be configured to sent out Twitter updates.

Drew
Is this quicker than having program shortcuts in the taskbar? If you have to have a program running in the background and upon startup, wouldn’t it be more efficient to have most used programs as shortcuts on the taskbar?
I may try this though to see for myself once I get my new PC from work.

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Launchy is always quicker than using the mouse. Always. And when your app list gets larger you can text-search it instead of hunting for icons.