What Start Menu?

For the past couple of weeks I've been playing around with a great app called Launchy and I decided today to give it my official yet still meaningless recommendation.

Launchy is a launcher app that indexes your start menu, programs, documents, bookmarks etc. With the default setup, an alt-space key combo brings up a basic, yet very powerful search box. Start typing until it recognizes your request (think Live Search) and then press enter to access your choice. Pause and it presents alternate choices.

launchy fox

I really haven't gotten into customizing it too much but there is a full assortment of themes and plugins available, and the folks over at Lifehacker have assembled some tips on how to take Launchy beyond app launching.

I've all but abandoned my beloved Object Dock which has served me very well for years. Launchy requires zero configuration of buttons and tabs, requires no screen real estate until you need it, and really seems to serve my needs quite well.

So I give it 4 Thermos!!

Download Launchy Here

SB

Comments

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Scott,
Been toying w/ downloading that utility, just hesitate to run yet another one on my machine. How much resources does it take? Do you find it to be really helpful?

#1 Phil (Homepage) on 2007-09-04 22:23 (Reply)

Good point Phil - apps like this are like recurring monthly fees - they add up quickly and can do a lot of damage.

I just pulled up the trusty task manager and Launchy is svelte at 3,164K (compared to 13,152 for Jing and 4,672 for task manager itself....)

I find it quite useful really, especially for those programs that I don't run everyday but use often (color picker, ftp, Sprint Connection Manager, etc...)

I used to use ObjectDock for program launching but, as mentioned, I have abandoned it for Launchy.

Being able to access everything with just a couple of keystrokes is great. No pre-configuring of launchbars, it just indexes what I need and lets me get to things quickly.

The search box in Vista is much improved for quick access to things - but Launchy does it better - and is quite extensible (if I ever get time to really put it to full use)

I guess the worst thing would be that you try it and don't use it...

btw, thanks for the Jing tip - just playing around with it tonight and it is a great find.

SB

#2 Scott (Homepage) on 2007-09-04 23:16 (Reply)

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