Launchy - Making Start Menu Redundant
Launchy is a file launcher for Windows XP. The developers claim it would help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager.
How Does it Work?
To begin with Launchy indexes your start menu programs, control panel applications and Firefox bookmarks. When not needed Launchy hides in the background utilizing very little system resources. Upon pressing Alt+Space a tiny window pops up. You can type the name of the application or bookmark you want to launch and Launchy would provide suggestions as you type. All this is so easy that you have to simply use it to believe.
It’s Not Just a File Launcher
Launchy is not just a file launcher. Here are some of the things you can do with Launchy.
Search The Web : Launchy allows you to search in Google, Msn, Yahoo, Live Search, Weather.com, Amazon, Wikipedia, Imdb, Msdn, Netflix and Dictionary.com.
Calculate : Launchy features a built in calculator that can add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Explore : You can even explore your computer using Launchy. Start by typing the root directory (example “c:\”). Then enter partial name for a directory or press down key to view the list of directories. Use Tab key to enter a directory.
Launch Bookmarks : Launchy v1.25 includes the Foxy plugin which allows you to launch Firefox bookmarks directly from Launchy. Opera users can use Opery plugin for similar functionality.
And There is More
Launchy is very flexible and there are loads of things you can do with it. You can add more directories and use Launchy to quickly access your documents. You can even specify the file type you want to be indexed from each directory. However don’t add too many directories as that may prove to be counter-productive. The latest version of Launch includes the Runny plugin. Runny allows you to create aliases for custom commands. Cybernet has a nice tutorial on Runny.
You can extend Launchy further by downloading plugins and change it’s appearence by downloading new skins.
My Verdict
Launchy delivers on its promise to help you forget about your start menu and the icons on your desktop. It provides the search as you type functionality present in Vista’s Start Menu on systems running Windows XP and you don’t even have to open the Start Menu.
It’s small, it’s efficient and it’s free. Launchy is truly a must have software for Windows XP users.
Official Website
Download Launchy
Requirements : Windows XP
Version Reviewed : 1.25
Cost : Free
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Looks Cool. Let me try this….. And thanks for this Post.
Good to see Launchy getting more recognition. I have been using it for quite some time now and it’s just amazing. Just press Alt + Space and type ‘fif’ to start EA Fifa 07
thats a nice one…i used to have a shell replacement program earlier…but lost it in the crash….got it from giveawayoftheday . . . . .
Cool start menu form Launchy…
The Launchy, a free souce for the windows XP has just released a new tool that reinvents the way we look and use our start menu at windows environment.
http://www.pallab.net/uploads/images/softwar…...
Launchy is a great app, but take a look at Keybreeze. It’s more configurable than Launchy, takes up less memory, responds faster, and contains dozens and dozens of features:
macros, notes, letter commands, functions, display settings, integration with Skype and iTunes, and it’s free.
Looks Intresting, so will give it a try. Hope its not a laggard on my OLD RIG
[...] Launchy making Start Menu redundant - [...]
Hey its a better way of saving time , i will try out launchy