Categories /

Productivity - Program Launchers (60)

Launcher v2.3.3

lintalist on 7 Jul 2023
  • 17MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 16 Dec 2020
  • Suggested by Andrew Lee

Launcher is a personal shortcut manager that can launch files and programs. In "Manage Items" mode, it is possible to configure shortcuts by dragging files from an Explorer window and then dropping them into Launcher. Supports an unlimited number of user-defined subfolders and item shortcuts.

A 64-bit version is available (within the folder).

Category:
Runs on:Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8
Writes settings to: Application folder
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. Edit muc.ini to read:

    [Misc]
    DataAccess=app

  4. Launch one of the following based on your OS:
Win9x - NT: Launcher_32b_W9xNT4.exe
Win2000 and above (32-bit): Launcher_32b_W2K.exe
Any 64-bit: Launcher_64b_W2K.exe
What's new? See
https://www.microsystools.com/products/launcher/history.php
Latest comments
mehtuus on 2008-06-02 01:55

It should be noted that if you do not change the *default* settings for "Always show in system tray" (Preferences...>Miscellaneous), the program will add to your registry:
============================================================
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"MicroSys-Launcher"="***your path here***\Launcher.exe"

[HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-981525854-1381673208-3913934247-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"MicroSys-Launcher"="***your path here***\Launcher.exe"
============================================================

Upon closing, Launcher seems to always check your registry. If the box IS checked it will make sure that the above is in your registry. If the box is NOT checked it will make sure that the above is not in your registry.

P2011 on 2011-08-28 16:08

PStart is so much more portable, simple and focused to the task.

prizm1 on 2011-11-12 17:38

Portable Application Launcher includes all the features this launcher has plus many, many more.

Add comment

Executor v1.0.11

Ennovy on 10 Jan 2023
  • 6MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 9 Jan 2023
  • Suggested by Andrew Lee

Executor is a program launcher and functions as a very customizable replacement for the Windows "Run" tool. It supports themes, user-defined keywords, hotkeys for apps, auto-completion for keywords/file system/history, optional Vista-like results list, integrated calculator, and more.

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 relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: MIT
How to extract:
  1. Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice
  2. Create an empty text file in the same folder and rename it executor.ini
  3. Launch Executor.exe
Similar/alternative apps: Keypirinha
What's new? See: https://executor.dk/vhistory
Latest comments
Carl on 2015-08-16 11:30

Nevermind, I was not waiting long enough for the indexing to finish. It seems a bit longer with windows 10. Last 64 bits version work fine.

freakazoid on 2018-07-28 02:05

Yay, first official update in five years! Still my favorite launcher!

Carl on 2020-09-08 18:31

The best launcher ever. I've been using this for 10 years.

See all

Qsel v2.30

Andrew Lee on 3 Jul 2022

Qsel is a flexible program launcher with categories and icons. It supports easy configuration of launcher items via drag-and-drop.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices
License: Freeware
How to extract:
  1. Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice
  2. Launch Qsel.exe
  3. Optionally, right-click on the window and select "Keep Window opened?" to keep Qsel around after you launch an application
What's new? See: https://www.horstmuc.de/wnews.htm
Latest comments
Midas on 2012-09-14 15:58

I'm having the same problem with another launcher, and horst explanation seems pretty accurate to me...

Napiophelios on 2015-03-15 16:22

I have used this program for a long time and I really like it;
I have always used it to launch programs,
but recently I have been using it to launch shortcuts to folders
and 2 out of 3 times that I do it,it crashes explorer.

Has any one else had this happen?

aazard on 2020-11-12 07:03

Note: 2020-11-12, still 100% functional, VERY nice option at its size

- v2.26 (x86) is infact 86kb, if reduced to exe, its needed ini/chw files & help/readmes combined to 1 txt file.

- only 2 programs that "still function 100% as of posting date" exist:

- VNChelper, at 80kb is SUPER NICE, its hard to pick between Qsel and VNChelper, they differ only in UI & 6kb file size... but I'm going Qsel for same function and 6kb SAVED.

- Then Popsel are smaller at 74kb, which is from same author and is funcationally the same with no "window" section, just a minimalist "fly-out" menu like Linux's "flux or black box" menus

(all reducing size with same readme method and UPX compressed via lmza)

All 3: Qsel, VNChelper and Popsil are FANTASTIC byte for byte

See all

AdvancedRun v1.51

Andrew Lee on 13 Apr 2022
  • 122KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 11 Apr 2022
  • Suggested by Checker

AdvancedRun allows you to run a program with different settings that you choose, including - low or high priority, start directory, main window state (Minimized/Maximized), run the program with different user or permissions, Operating system compatibility settings and environment variables.

You can also save the desired settings into a configuration file and then run the program automatically from command-line with the desired settings.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch AdvancedRun.exe.
What's new?
  • Added /Clear command-line option, which starts AdvancedRun with the default settings, without loading the last settings from AdvancedRun.cfg
  • You can use this command to reset the settings in the GUI, and also to run a program from command line without any effect of the last settings stored in AdvancedRun.cfg
Latest comments
misan on 2016-05-15 13:38

^ Everything is fine.

Add comment

PopSel v2.58

Andrew Lee on 20 Jul 2021

PopSel offers simple pop-up menus for the Desktop or the Quick Launch Tray. Launch programs, batch files, documents or web links through popup menus.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: None
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch PopSel.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: Qsel
What's new?
  • Configuration:
  • Drag&drop file or selected target: Case modification revoked (now remains unchanged)
  • Drag&drop a folder with Ctrl key: path taken as command (not "Explorer.exe")
  • Menu Selection: Shift + Click opens folder of item's command file
  • If files without BOM: Unicode auto detected (UTF-8, UTF-16)
  • Environment variables supported in Menu Item
  • PureBasic compiler ver. 5.73
Latest comments
ChemZ on 2015-01-16 08:39

Not your average program launcher.... best used with StrokeIt.

aazard on 2020-11-12 07:19

THE MOUSE THAT ROARED: https://youtu.be/-E35OMfL4A4

I wont keep reposting the same info see VNChelper and Qsel for other still functional options as of 2020-11-12.

BUT Popsel is the smallest, fastest and lightest on resources @ a mere 74kb.

It is from same author as Qsel and is functionally the same, BUT with no "window" section, just a minimalist "fly-out" menu like Linux's "flux or black box" menus.

Super speedy little guy, designed for the power user or IT tech with MANY small tools on USB looking for an ideal mobile launch platform that will run on a TOASTER as long as it has 640kb of memory to space

Can auto run apps, etc etc... I suggest a good look at the readme to get the most out of it

AndTheWolf on 2021-07-18 20:37

Now at version 2.58

Add comment

PopMenu v 3.0

agam on 14 Apr 2021
  • 198KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 14 Apr 2021
  • Suggested by agam

PopMenu, a small menu (program launcher), is started either by a hotkey or a click on the tray icon. It is able to handle changing drive letters and therefore it is particularly suitable as a starter for an USB stick.

Category:
Runs on:Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: No
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch PopMenu.exe.

μStart v1.6.0

Midas on 3 Feb 2021
  • 147KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 2 Aug 2017
  • Suggested by Replika

uStart is a lightweight, minimalistic program launcher with a small program size and limited features (no drag and drop) but a very small program size.

Note: Although the homepage is in German, the program GUI is in English.

Category:
Runs on:Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Win10
Writes settings to: 'uStart.prefs' in application Folder
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch uStart.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: PStart, Portable Start Menu
What's new? *Updated for Purebasic v5.60
+Added some menuicons
+Icons are now displayed in the tray menu (same as shown in windows explorer)
!Hopefully, automatic closing of started applications works now correctly
*Configuratin menu now centered in screen
!minor bugfixes
*minor changes in wording
Latest comments
PSquid on 2010-10-20 10:03

@a: "Most content of this web site is or will be in english language."
No need to use Google translate or anything like that.

Midas on 2012-11-13 14:34

Lean and mean x32 tray menu launcher, let down only by the lack of further development (seemingly ended in 2010) and drag'n'drop support -- uStart is a single 78 KB executable, and IMHO it's on par with PStart. Recommended.

bitcoin on 2021-02-02 19:30

now at version 1.6 - released 2017 August 2nd

See all

Keypirinha v2.26

webfork on 21 Mar 2021
  • 10MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 8 Nov 2020
  • Suggested by I am Baas

Keypirinha is a fast and flexible keyboard-based launcher that supports themes, searching, keyword assignment, launch arguments, drag and drop, history, plugins, and more.

Category:
Runs on:Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch keypirinha.exe.
What's new? See:
https://keypirinha.com/changelog.html

VNCHelper v3.80

webfork on 11 Jul 2020
  • 242KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 21 Apr 2016
  • Suggested by Wolfghost

VNCHelper is able to launch any application, URL, file or folder. It's as small on your screen as possible, and remembers where it's placed.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10
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 vnchelper.exe.
What's new? Fixed:
  • Final item truncation problem.
  • Black text on black background problem with high contrast colour schemes.
Latest comments
webfork on 2020-07-11 13:28

@Cornflower - I just visited the website and it seems to be working okay. Still, if they're having domain or site issues, it's good to have an archive.org link handy. Thanks.

Midas on 2020-07-12 10:31

For that particular effect then the best pointer would be: http://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/vnchelper/

aazard on 2020-11-12 07:10

Note: 2020-11-12, still 100% functional, VERY nice option at its size

- v3.8 (x86) is infact 80kb, if reduced to exe, its needed ini file & help made txt not rtf file.

- only 2 programs, this small, that "still function 100% as of posting date" exist:

- Qsel, at 86kb is SUPER NICE, its hard to pick between Qsel and VNChelper, they differ only in UI & 6kb file size... but I'm going VNChelper for same function and 6kb SAVED.

- Then Popsel are smaller at 74kb, which is from same author as Qsel and is funcationally the same with no "window" section, just a minimalist "fly-out" menu like Linux's "flux or black box" menus

(all reducing size with same readme method and UPX compressed via lmza)

All 3: VNChelper, Qsel and Popsil are FANTASTIC byte for byte

See all

ASuite v2.0

billon on 3 Aug 2020
  • 2MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 20 Apr 2020
  • Suggested by El Salvador

ASuite is a lightweight program launcher that allows you to define a hierarchical list of menus for launching applications, folders and web links from the system tray. Includes search tab, scheduling, hotkeys, most recently used programs list, custom background, automation tools on startup/shut down and more.

The program can scan for applications or import file structures from WinPenPack, Pstart, and other launchers. Supports relative paths.

Category:
Runs on:Win2K / WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? No
Path portability: Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices
License: GNU GPLv3
How to extract: Download the 7z package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch ASuite.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: Pstart, PortableApps Platform, WinPenPack NetMenu
What's new? See:
https://github.com/salvadorbs/Asuite/releases
Latest comments
PAFuser on 2021-02-02 09:45

I tried, unable to get captcha correct. Posted on https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuite/ instead. Tried Asuite contact again, still not able to read captcha correctly.

webfork on 2021-02-02 13:42

@PAFuser - thanks for trying. That's ... frustrating.

El Salvador on 2021-05-05 13:06

Hi, sorry for the delay, I am only now reading your message.

In any case, the error messages are those related to the non-execution of some asuite items ("Seems scheduler did''t run the item% s as expected by options. Do you want execute it now?")? has it happened again in recent months?

Meanwhile, I opened an issue on github: https://github.com/salvadorbs/Asuite/issues/86

Thank you!

See all