KbStart 1.7

• License:

  Free to try; $12.95 to buy

• Editor's Rating:

  5.0 stars

• Average User Rating:

  4.0 stars (out of 6 votes) Rate it!

• Downloads:

  3,822

• Operating Systems:

  Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

• Additional Requirements:

  Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

• Limitations:

  Only 10 items to launch

• Date Added:

  October 21, 2003

• Previous Versions:

  Select a version KbStart 1.6

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Publisher's description of KbStart

From Software Designs Development:

KbStart provides lightning-fast keyboard access to numerous resources when you enter short abbreviations. These resources include the Windows Start menu, the Outlook address book, Web favorites, control panels, and others. The abbreviations can match any character in the item's name. For example, you can type "OEX" to launch Outlook Express. KbStart uses a powerful, adaptive abbreviation-search algorithm that allows you to enter any imaginable abbreviation of the item.

Version 1.7 features unspecified minor improvements and bug fixes.

Editor's review of KbStart

• 5.0 stars

• "KbStart"

• Reviewed by: CNET Staff
• Version reviewed: KbStart 1.7

The rallying cry of "KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE KEYBOARD," long a staple of command-line junkies, has never made much sense to the millions of mouse-dependent sloths like you and me. Enter KbStart, a wonderful little program that will give you access to all your other programs, Web favorites, files, the Windows Start menu, Outlook address book, and control panels with nerd-like keyboard agility. This little gem works by sniffing out what you're looking for based on a few keystrokes. Hit your hot key to bring up the small dialog box and type "IE," and Internet Explorer shows up in the small menu window with a few other possible matches. Hit Return, and the program launches. KbStart also learns from you by remembering your preferred shortcuts. Adjusting to this new method definitely takes some getting used to, but once you've become accustomed to it, you'll realize how much more efficient it is.

User reviews

• Average user rating: 4.4 stars out of 6 votes
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 5 of 5 user reviewsSee all 5 user reviews
  This software version | All versions

• 5 stars

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

  Version: KbStart 1.7

  "This is really easy to use"

  by BrianARice on December 15, 2006

  Pros: I love the way the program figures what application you're trying to find... For example, you can type "oex" or "out" to find Outlook Express. Then the next time if you just type "o" it prefers ones that already have abbreviations it remembers and you can refine your shortcut key strokes.

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• 5 stars

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

  Version: KbStart 1.7

  "One of the most useful utilities ever!"

  by dgg on March 15, 2004

  Summary: I probably use this program more than any other utility program - much more often that WinZip, etc. It's not for everyone...it will be most useful to those who use a lot of shortcuts and macros, and especially those who like to work from the comman... read more >>

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• 5 stars

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

  Version: KbStart 1.7

  "Excellent time saver"

  on January 25, 2004

  Summary: Easy to setup shortcuts. Does not take long to become used to using this alternative method of launching programs and web pages.

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• 1 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: KbStart 1.7

  "Good idea but poor program."

  on November 13, 2003

  Summary: Launching keywords tends to be slow, and when you launch websites you have to type two hotkeys (Alt+Enter and CTRL+O). The preset commands are nice though. For anyone interested in keyboard launchers I would recommend PC-Com. PC-Com has more opti... read more >>

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• 5 stars

  2 out of 5 people found this review helpful

  Version: KbStart 1.7

  "Just what you need for more efficient use of your computer."

  by JamesWatson on February 25, 2004

  Summary: Point and click is slow. This utility makes opening new programs and windows a snap. Better than any of those start menu organizers or toolbars. It takes me probably 75% less time to open a program now thanks to this utility.

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