Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Where most other docks fail, RocketDock soars. The Mac-style program dock and launcher for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista has it all, from a smooth installation to flawless icon transitions and an unobtrusive footprint.
The app is loaded with options. The dock can live on any of the four edges of your monitor, you can set it to always be on top, on bottom, autohide, or be ever-present. It comes with more than 20 skins; fonts and colors are fully customizable, as is the icon order; and you can choose which icons are displayed, independent of the program's actual icon. RocketDock's publisher is also growing a community around the program, and the app's Web site has areas where you can download more icons, widgets, and skins to enhance and further customize your experience.
One drawback of the program is that the main settings menu is not where you go to add in and configure these extras. Instead, they're accessible from a secondary settings menu available only by right-clicking on the dock itself. It's frustrating, but not a major problem, and hopefully can be addressed in future updates.
Publisher's Description
From PunkLabs:
RocketDock is a smoothly animated, alpha blended application launcher. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. Now with added Taskbar support your minimized windows can appear as icons on the dock. This allows for better productivity and accessibility.
Features: Minimize windows to the dock. Real-time window previews in Vista. Running application indicators. Simple drag-n-drop interface. Multi-monitor support. Supports alpha-blended PNG and ICO icons. Icons zoom and transition smoothly. Auto-hide and Popup on mouse over. Positioning and layering options. Fully customizable. Completely Portable. ObjectDock Docklet support. Compatible with MobyDock, ObjectDock, RK Launcher, and Y'z Dock skins. Runs great on slower computers. Unicode compliant.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 181 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 181 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Not to sure about it???"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Has tons of options and several sound choices.
Cons
It takes some time to figure it out.
Summary
I am an impatient person so when I couldn't get my Gmail shortcut on the dock I uninstalled it. One day when I have the time to learn how it functions I will re-install the RocketDock.
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"Great Dock"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Cleans your desktop up, and easy to use.
Cons
Had a problem getting it to launch on the startup even with the run at startup box checked. The solution was copying, and pasting the shortcut in the "start" menu under "all programs" "startup". Hope that helps if you get the same problem.
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"Totally "AWESOME'....WORRY FREE"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
RocketDock is by far the best little time saver you could have. It sits in the background working constantly, keeping everything where it belongs and nothing is ever out of place. You don't have to do anything with RocketDock. RocketDock is like having a staff of workers that get the job done but yet you never see them. You feel safe and secure and you can put all worries aside with RocketDock. I never even think about RocketDock because I never have to do anything with RocketDock, RocketDock does it ALL for me. I even forgot I even had RocketDock installed on my Computer. RocketDock makes life so much easier and smooth sailing, worry free and rest assured!Sometimes I have to click on the little world icon in the task bar because I forgot what it was for...but RocketDock goes above and beyond to do ALL of the boring, time consuming job for me and that makes all the difference in the world.Maybe that's why their Favicon is a world. Wonderful product indeed!!!
Cons
Well, I must say that I haven't really come across any problems with RocketDock yet. I really can't see where I will ever come across any problems because RocketDock is like having a watchdog that watches over everything for me so I can go play...whatever it is that I play, with no worries.
Summary
RocketDock has been a wonderful Tool for me and I say that because, having to go into your System Tools and enter the ever dreaded Defragmenter means "How much time is this going to take,that I don't have to lose?" I absolutely hated to defrag my Computer because it was always at a time when I was doing something important and all of a sudden, my computer wouldn't work right. So I would go and check if I needed to defragment and the answer was always yes. Most of the time this defragmentation period was when I was doing something that have to have my undivided attention and concentration and if I had to stop to defrag, I would lose my train of thought. It would absolutely drive me bonkers. Now....with RocketDock, I don't have to do one iota of anything because RocketDock is constantly on, working in the background for me and keeping my computer running "smooth". I would by far recommend RocketDock to everyone, if you need a life with one less problem in it and you don't have the patience to sit and wait for defrag to defrag. And I didn't, so I have much more time to get my things done faster and have more time to do enjoyable things in life that doesn't involve a computer.
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"Simple and very useful"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
I wanted to use docking applications for the sole purpose of launching applications and remove clutter from my desktop. I tried Objectdock and Winstep Nexus before, and to be honest, they looked prettier, but I noticed my computer became slower, and there were some features I really wouldn't like to have. So I switched to Rocketdock, it's simple and straightforward, plus there are also addons and themes that could somehow match those I used in other dock apps. And now I think it's better and easier to use than the others that I tried.
Cons
Can't create or use multiple docks, I'm really not sure if it doesn't have this feature. Other than that, everything is perfect, after all I only need one dock.
Summary
It's my first time to use Rocketdock, so as of now I'm trying to customize it based on my needs. I was surprised that the last update to it was in 2008 because it's working really great!
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"One of the better docks out there"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
easy to use and a lot of user made ad-ons to try out.
Cons
Not as many options or customization as other docks.
Summary
As a free dock, this is a great program, but if you feel like spending money, there are much better ones out there.
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"TONS of stuff created by users on websites for this app"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Seems like thousands of user created icons available for FREE!
Cons
Seems to only have few of the options of a couple of other docks I have tried
Summary
Probably one of the better docks
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"It is indeed spectacular !"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
it makes my desktop neat (bcoz it used to be very messy)
Cons
I don't see anything wrong with this
Summary
Thanks a lot for this free software.. it's a great help for me
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"Gives the MAC effect"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Really efficient
Cons
Developer can add many more themes to the default version
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"the best gadget in the wowrld"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
many options, almost infinite.
quick, and no problem at all, 3d time i install this, its always the best.Cons
no one at all, so easy to use.
Summary
many options for the look , but also disposition, actions, reactions,size and its contents !
evrithing is modifiable, and not hard on pc at all unless you put the setting to the best quality lookink, but there is almost no difference in look between high and medium quality. -
"Fully functional and looks great too."
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Can be totally customized. There are thousands of icons available on their website with something for just about every common program and file, and then some.
Cons
None, in my opinion.
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