Launchy is an award winning application launcher that allows users to search for and open applications with just a few keystrokes. Users do not have to sift through various folders or open the start menu to look for certain files and programs. This application is much faster than using the search feature of operating systems. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems and is an open source software. It is also completely free to download and use. This version - Launchy 2.5, is the latest version of the application and has numerous changes that have improved performance, OS compatibility, shortcuts, etc.

Launch applications easily

Launchy 2.5 is a software that eliminates the need to use Windows Explorer or the Start Menu. Users don't have to use even desktop icons or the file manager once this application has been installed. Once this application is installed, it indexes files in certain folders and the shortcuts present in the Start Menu allowing users to find local files and programs easily. This application can be accessed via a keyboard shortcut – Alt+Space. This hotkey can be customized by the user. Once this hotkey is pressed, a small application opens up with a text field where the user can enter the name of the file. As the user is typing, Launchy 2.5 will display a list of matching programs and users can select and open a program on the list by hitting the enter key. You can also add files, folders and file formats to this application's catalog. It can also perform Google, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, etc. searches and displays the results in browser windows. By pressing the Escape or the Alt+Space hotkey again, this application can be terminated.

Launchy 2.5

There are numerous plug-ins (even third party ones) to extend the capabilities of Launchy 2.5. Controly, Weby, Foxy and Calcy plug-ins are included with the application. Shift+Tab and Shift+Control+Enter shortcuts now deletes previous tabs and opens the application in elevated mode respectively. It has a new icon and the Controly plug-in has new features. The down arrow now displays the history and the development of skins is much simpler. Various other new additions have made it a must-have application.