Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Developer

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

By Jack Wallen July 10, 2013, 4:15 AM PDT

Image
1
of 10

a1_rocet_dock_1.png
a1_rocet_dock_1.png
Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

RocketDock 1

RocketDock 1

ntThis screenshot gallery is also available as a post in the TechRepublic Five Apps Blog.

n

ntI cannot tell you how many desktops I see during the day awash in icons. How end users manage to get anything done is amazing. When I have to work on one of those desktops, I wind up having to scan through the multitude of icons to get anything done. For those clients, I tend to recommend third-party launchers u2013 at least to get their application shortcuts set in such a way that the software they need to use can be quickly launched u2013 or at least better organized.

n

ntThis blog post is also available as a TechRepublic Screenshot Gallery.

n

ntThough many may scoff at the idea of adding launchers to the Windows 7 desktop u2013 it’s actually quite remarkable how much more efficiently you can work with multiple means of launching a tool. I’ve found five different launchers that I think fit the bill perfectly. Everything from an OSX Dock-like tool to popup-type launchers. Let’s take a look and see if, at least, one of these will entice you into the land of launchers.

n

ntnn

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

RocketDock 2

RocketDock 2

ntFive Apps

n

nt1. RocketDock

n

ntRocketDockis my preferred dock for Windows 7. Not only is it highly configurable, it’s one of the most reliable and clean looking of all the docks. You can quickly drop shortcuts onto the dock for application launching, mapped drives, folders, and much more. Rocket Dock uses alpha blending and offers very smooth animations. You can minimize windows to Rocket Dock, and it offers multi-monitor support, position/layering support, compatibility with other docs, add-ons, and it’s free.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

WinLaunch 1

WinLaunch 1

nt2. WinLaunch

n

ntWinLaunch was taken from OSX Launchpad/Quickstarted. It’s a unique way to launch applications/folders. You hit the hot key combo (by default Shift+Tab) and the screen blurs to reveal any launchers that have been added. You can add as many launchers as you like to the screen with a handy drag and drop window. WinLaunch supports multi-monitor setups, has tons of customizations, optimized for touchscreens, and is Windows 8 ready. It is also free.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

WinLaunch 2

WinLaunch 2

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

Jumplist Launcher 1

Jumplist Launcher 1

nt3. Jumplist Launcher

n

ntJumplist Launcher allows you to pin different applications to a single Jumplist. You can create a single jumplist and, with a right-click of the Jumplist Launcher, have instant access to any application added. You can: Create jumplists with up to sixty entries, group jumplists, entries can contain command line arguments, drag and drop from Windows Explorer, and much more. Jumplist Launcher is free, but the developers do take donations.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

Jumplist Launcher 2

Jumplist Launcher 2

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

FSL Launcher 1

FSL Launcher 1

nt4. FSL Launcher

n

ntFSL Launcher is a bit different, in that you hit the hotkey corner with your mouse (or the key combination) and a small window appears. From this small, tabbed, window, you can launch grouped applications, open the settings, get help, and more. To the FSL Launcher, you can add applications, documents, URL shortcuts, folders and more. FSL Launcher offers multi-monitor support, drag and drop support, DOS compatibility, multi-user support, Explorer contextual pop up menu support, and much more. FSL Launcher is free, but the developers do take donations.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

FSL Launcher 2

FSL Launcher 2

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

8Start 1

8Start 1

nt5. 8Start

n

nt8Start is somewhat similar to that of FSL Launcher, only it opens a smaller, more menu-like window when called. 8Start is skinnable, offers drag and drop support, offers grouping, and (with a nod to the old-school Linux users) gives you a quick glimpse at your system resources. The app also includes (for whatever reason) a handy countdown timer that allows you to set up a countdown that will pop up a message. You can set 8Start to appear by using a middle mouse key click and there’s even a shortcut to open a browser-based Google search. This launcher is a free download.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

8Start 2

8Start 2

ntBottom line

n

ntIf you’re looking for a way to help make the Windows 7 desktop a bit more efficient and clutter-free, give one of these launchers a try. One of the above will certainly fit the bill and help to make your interaction with Windows a bit more efficient. Will it solve your PC and networking issues? No. But if you’re like me, and being as efficient as possible means getting more work done, then you will appreciate these helpful tools.

n

ntAlso read:

n

    nt

  • nttAdd a self-made Start button to the Windows 8 desktop
  • nt

  • nttThe Windows 8 Start Menu reimagined and reinvigorated
  • nt

  • nttMake Windows 8 boot straight to the desktop
  • n

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

  • Developer
  • Enterprise Software
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers

    Your email has been sent

Share: Five Apps: Create a better desktop with these free app launchers
Image of Jack Wallen
By Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.
  • Account Information

    Contact Jack Wallen

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Jack's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×