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This very handy tool lets you open nearly any program, file, folder, or Web site on your system with just a few keystrokes. Launchy is called from the background with a hot key combo, and a small, skinnable box pops up.
Enter the first few letters of a file or program, and Launchy automatically displays the rest of the name. You simply press Enter to open or launch it. If the displayed name isn't the item you want, a few seconds later the tool displays a drop-down list with other likely candidates from which you can choose. In our tests, we were easily able to configure the tool to choose from multiple directories among our system's other users' folders. Besides files, folders, and apps, Launchy also displayed site names from our default browser's Favorites file.
This easy-to-master tool--free and unlimited--performed without a hitch in all our tests, and soon may completely replace our using the Start menu or Windows Explorer. We recommend it for any user.
Publisher's Description
From Josh Karlin:
Launchy is designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager. Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 137 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 12 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Absolutely stunning!!!"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
If you are looking at a replacement for the lost start menu in Windows 8 look no further. I am in fact surprised that I hadn't tried this earlier
Cons
Would have been great if I could map Win+space instead of alt+space
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"Very handy utility\Prevents task-bar clutter"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
all programs easily accessible within a couple of key strokes
Lightweight
easy to configureCons
it doesn't immediately add new programs to it's index. you may need to prod it manually or wait for scan (every 10 minutes i think) but this is a very very minor grumble.
Summary
Anyone who works with lots of different software will appreciate this utility as it finds what you need within seconds.
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"Launchy upgrade"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
So easy to use and a real time saver.
Cons
None reallly
Summary
Makes life easy
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"Great idea, poorly executed"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
Was a quick way to find something, when it worked.
Cons
Didn't find most everything, even after customizing search areas. If I have it check the whole drive, most searches just result in a bunch of cached Web results.
Summary
I had it use my Pictures folder, as one of the places to search. Even after setting .jpeg and .jpg files as files to search for, and selecting the option to search within folders up to 100 deep, it comes up with nothing when I enter the names for my pictures. When it does come up with some things, the results are poorly categorized (folders come up instead of the actual programs, etc.) The idea was nice; it just doesn't work.
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"Not needed"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
Probably helpful for some
Cons
More fluff ware that does what you can alreay do yourself
Summary
Tweaking the taskbar and using Search Everything is my method
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"Got Launchy a few years ago, can't live without it!"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
Just set it up to suit your needs (quick and easy to do) and it will learn as you go. Incredibly useful for people with many programs, files, folders to work in.
Cons
None... I love this program!
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"Everything is so much easier"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
A simple click and even after the first letter is typed, this program know what you want. Press Enter and the program is loaded quicker and easier than ever imagined.
Cons
None .
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"Wonderfully useful"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
Totally unobtrusive, instantly available, quickly "trained" to your needs, will search, find and launch/open programs, files, folders.
Cons
None that I've found
Summary
Launchy stays out of sight, out of mind when not needed. As soon as you press ALT+SPACEBAR it immediately appears. As you begin to type (even just one letter), Launchy will begin to offer you the names of programs, files and folders that match what you typed. You can click on or arrow down to the desired item and press ENTER to run that item. Launchy remembers your prior choices and puts them at the top of the list for that particular letter you typed in subsequent searches. Once you start using Launchy, you'll find you no longer use Windows Start/Search or Start/All Programs ever again. This program is so simple to use and is incredibly useful! I highly recommend it!
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"Excellent software"
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
I like how it can allow for fast acess for programs
Cons
Seems like it does not find all programs
Summary
Great! Its free, and its not bad to give it a try
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"One of the most useful programs ever."
Version: Launchy 2.5
Pros
Fast, easy opening of programs with no more than a few keystrokes; Easily open any document; Free
Cons
Can be a little tricky for some users to figure out setting up search folders.
Summary
This program is one of the essentials that I always like to have on my computers. I use it for almost everything and hardly bother with the start menu, windows explorer, or even bothering opening my internet browser to use a search engine. I just let Launchy open it for me after I have already entered in my search. It takes a little bit of time to configure where you want to search for different items if you have a cluttered hard drive, but bottom line is that this program is exceptionally well done and would be useful for anyone.
