Freeware Tools: Launchy 2.5.0

Launchy is a desktop suite capable of indexing all start-menu items and more. With this application, you will be able to launch all your documents, including project files, bookmarks and even folders at the touch of a few keys. Wondering how it works? Well, all you are asked to do is type in the first letters or word of the desired program or document and hit enter. For example, if you type ‘word’ and hit enter, Microsoft Word will pop-up and you will have gained a few extra seconds. And let’s not forget about the plug-ins, useful when one needs to kill running tasks.

Browsing your computer for files, folders and programs can take more time than you’re willing to assign to such a task. Launchy can help you search your entire computer for files and offers you an entire list of results.

Furthermore, Launchy also comes in handy when you want to open websites. You just have to type in the address in the app’s interface and the software opens up the page in your default browser.

The interface consists of a search bar. But despite this minimalist look there are options for changing the visual appearance. Other things you can change about the UI are the level of opaqueness and the fade in/ fade out times.

Furthermore, Launchy comes packed with a wide range of options. For example, you can have the main window always on display, as opposed to it minimizing to the system tray after performing every search. Also, the UI can be set to always be on top of other software.

Regarding the search option, you can display the results in various ways, such as name and path, name only or path only. The number of visible suggestions can also be defined, as well as the maximum number of results.

The app further allows you create a catalog of places on your drive where you want to permit searches in. Also you can make a list of file types that pop in on the search result list, include executable files and directories.

The fact of the matter is that Launchy is a useful tool that has little impact on your CPU. The interface is easy to figure out by all users, no matter their level of experience.