Launchy

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated March 27, 2017)

3

For those of us who value ultra-efficiency, Launchy is the tool to have. Its goal is to let you keep your hands on the keyboard while still quickly being able to launch practically any program you choose.

I, for instance, am a .NET developer. This means that I have project solutions buried several folders deep, with a different directory tree for each project. Instead of taking the time to navigate through these folders with Explorer, I can just press a hot-key (Alt+Space), start typing the project I want to open, and Launchy finds it immediately.

When you first start Launchy, you see a small screen that doesn't really look like any other Windows application. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Launchy's command screen.

As you start typing, Launchy goes to work finding files that meet the criteria you're entering. And since Launchy learns as you use it, the more you access a file, the more quickly it will be found. For example, by my typing just the letter "d", Launchy brought up the following choices: (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Launchy at work.

Assuming I want to open the file "DigitechMigration.sln", I would just need to press Enter and I'd be in business.

Launchy is highly configurable, too, as can be seen by displaying the Options dialog box . (Just click the little "gear" icon in its upper right corner of the main Launcy screen.) (See Figure 3.)

Figure 3. Launchy options.

Perhaps most interesting, you can find skins and plugins to modify how Launchy looks and how it does its work. (These can be found at the Launchy website and are implemented by use of the Skins and Plugins tabs in the Options dialog box.)

Launchy is a free download. You can find it here:

http://www.launchy.net

 This tip (12979) applies to Windows 7 and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Creating a Desktop Shortcut for a Favorite Web Page

If you visit a certain Web page frequently, you may wish to create a desktop shortcut to take you there. This tip tells ...

Discover More

Understanding Compressed Folders

If you're running low on disk space, you may want to consider creating some compressed folders to give you a little ...

Discover More

Renaming Folders Pinned to Quick Access

The Quick Access folder in File Explorer has been around for a while now. In fact, I use it to begin almost all of my ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Everything

If you want to be able to find any file on your hard disk in just seconds, Everything is a utility you'll find ...

Discover More

Dropbox

If you have more than one device and want to easily move files between them, Dropbox is the utility of choice. It ...

Discover More

How to Password Protect a File or Folder via Zip

If you routinely create ZIP files, you may want to add some protection to those files. This tip shows how easy it is to ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five minus 3?

2017-03-27 13:55:47

Barry

James, I think your questions are answered in the Tip.


2017-03-27 13:30:14

James

Where is launchy on my windows 10 system?
Is it pre-loaded?
how do I find it?
Do I need to install it?
Is it free?


2017-03-27 09:00:21

Ted Duke

Launchy looks good, but for some of us a similar result can be obtained by clicking on the windows icon in taskbar and typing a few characters.


Newest Tips