Launch Tools

Free Launch Bar
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2010-06-07
Version: 2.0 – Released: 2009-04-14 Windows: 9x, Me, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista
File Size: 1.7 MB
“Free Launch Bar is a Free replacement for the standard Quick Launch bar. All functions presented in Quick Launch are also in Free Launch Bar. However, the Free Launch Bar is fully compatible with Quick Launch because it uses the same folder for shortcuts. But there is one huge difference. Free Launch Bar allows you to combine your shortcuts into groups. This feature looks like popup menus. This vastly improves the management of your shortcuts and save working space on your desktop. By using Free Launch Bar, you speed up the launching of your applications like never before.”
Anchor Link Kana Launcher
License: Freeware – Donations appreciated Last Reviewed: 2008-09-10
Version: 3.0.0.29 – Released: 2005-10-10 Windows: 98, Me, 2000, XP
File Size: 547 KB
“Kana Launcher is a Windows program that can be used to launch your favorite programs or documents efficiently. Using Kana Launcher, you have the freedom to choose how the icons to launch the programs or documents should be created. Features:
¤ Can create icons as floating window, icon in Windows’ notification area, or as popup menu.
¤ Group Start, to start several files using one mouse click.
¤ Easy management. Can use drag and drop, right click menu or Windows Explorer to manage the icons and menus.
¤ Recognize any type of files, so you can put a shortcut, documents, or other files into Kana Launcher’s data folder.
¤ The menu can pop up anywhere on desktop, so you can launch the file efficiently.
¤ Unlimited icons and popup menus (including sub menus) can be created.
¤ Integrated system popup menu to easily access Windows settings.
¤ Can assign system wide hotkey for menu or icon, so to activate the shortcut using hotkey, the shortcut does not need to be placed on desktop, or Start menu.
¤ Can use different configuration file, so can be used to create different set of icons.
“Kana Launcher can run on any version of Windows without needs of Internet Explorer installed.”
Anchor Link PStart
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2008-09-10
Version: 2.11.0.5 – Released: 2007-06-06 Windows: 98, Me, 2000, XP, 2003
File Size: 768 KB Portable
“PStart is a simple menu tool designed to run portable applications (like portable Firefox and Thunderbird). Install PStart on your USB stick to launch portable applications easily and open important documents or folders.
¤ Install PStart locally to your hard disk to have an additional start menu with a quick program search feature.
¤ Install PStart to your USB stick to launch portable applications easily and open important documents or folders.
“Unlike Windows shortcuts, PStart uses relative paths, when installed as a portable application. If your USB key drive gets another drive letter when you insert it into another computer, your portable applications still can be started properly. This means you can also use PStart to start applications you burn to a CD (and don’t know the drive letter either).”
Anchor Link Run As Admin
License: GNU GPL – Open Source Last Reviewed: 2009-10-10
Version: 2.0.0.ß10 – Released: 2008-11-24 Windows: 2000, XP
File Size: 2 MB
ObiWan wrote: “. . . it uses an ‘intermediate’ approach, that is, you still logon using an ‘admin powers’ account but the program immediately switches you to a resticted security context while saving your logon credentials. At that point if/when you’ll need to run a program ‘as admin’ you’ll only need to use the tray icon w/o any need to re-enter the password, this makes the program easy to use even for a newbie.”
Anchor Link RunAsDate
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2013-04-09
Version: 1.20 – Released: 2013-04-08 Windows: 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8
File Size: 25 KB Portable
Both 32- and 64-bit versions
“RunAsDate is a small utility that allows you to run a program in the date and time that you specify. This utility doesn’t change the current system date and time of your computer, but it only injects the date/time that you specify into the desired application. You can run multiple applications simultaneously, each application works with different date and time, while the real date/time of your system continues to run normally.
“How does it work ?
RunAsDate intercepts the kernel API calls that returns the current date and time (GetSystemTime, GetLocalTime, GetSystemTimeAsFileTime), and replaces the current date/time with the date/time that you specify.”
Anchor Link Task Commander
License: Shareware Last Reviewed: 2012-02-20
Version: 2.5.0.32 – Released: 2006-06-05 Windows: 2000, XP, 2003
File Size: 2.24 MB
“Task Commander enables you to easily launch and manage your programs without having to use the standard Programs menu. You can access your favorite applications from the system tray, manage running programs and minimize, hide or close them with advanced options. In addition, it includes a visual task switcher that replaces the standard Windows Task Switcher (Alt+Tab) and allows for visual selection of the application that you want to switch to. Additional features include hotkey support for common Window operations (hide all, minimize all, etc.) as well as a dynamic feature that allows you to add items to the HotLaunch menu automatically.
“All Stardock software comes with Free lifetime upgrades.”
Anchor Link Tray Tools 2000
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2013-04-10
Version: 2.7 – Released: 2013-04-09 Windows: 9x, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8
File Size: 247 KB
“Tray Tools 2000 allows you to place up to 24 program icons in the Taskbar Tray. Program icons that you place there can be launched by simply clicking your mouse on them. To add new programs or modify existing items click your mouse on the small red toolbox icon displayed in the tray. You can also modify an existing program icon by right-clicking on it directly from the Taskbar Tray.”