Alfred Free plan 9.2 Visit Appetizer
appetizer.cozic.net
What it is
Appetizer is a free, open-source application launcher dock for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders. A wizard imports shortcuts from different locations, after which icons can be arranged by drag and drop or grouped in menus. The dock can resize and display horizontally or vertically, with small, large, and extra-large icons, custom icons, and skins; two skins are included. It supports launching several items together, a hotkey to hide or show the dock, and minimizing it to the tray. Special items provide controls for the desktop, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel. With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect applications and documents automatically. Version 1.4 is offered as a Windows installer or portable ZIP; the ZIP can run from a hard drive or USB stick and saves settings in the application directory. The download page lists Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Plugins add functions such as USB document encryption, shortcut grouping, and closing the dock after launch, but require a restart after installation. Multilingual help and an API reference are provided.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Appetizer is a free application launcher, or dock, for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Support
- Forum registration is closed because of spam, and the site says users may contact the maker if needed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Maker
- The site copyright identifies Laurent Cozic.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Customization
- The dock supports plugins, multiple skins, custom icons, and horizontal or vertical layouts.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Dock layout
- The dock can be resized and display icons horizontally or vertically.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Download formats
- The maker offers version 1.4 as a Windows installer and a ZIP package for portable use, with settings saved in the application directory.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Help and API
- Help files are bundled with the executable and offered in several languages, and the site links to plugin creation guidance and an API reference.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Icons and skins
- It supports small, large, and extra-large icons, custom icons, and multiple skins, with two included.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Launch controls
- Features include multi-launch, a hotkey to hide or show the dock, and minimizing the dock to the tray.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Launch features
- Appetizer supports multi-launch and a hotkey to hide or show the dock.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Open source
- The maker describes Appetizer as open source and says it will remain free.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Organization
- Users can drag and drop icons, group shortcuts in menus, and use a wizard to import shortcuts from various locations.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Plugin examples
- Available plugins include Securizer for encrypting and decrypting documents on a USB key, a shortcut grouping menu item, and a plugin to close Appetizer after launching an app.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Plugin installation
- Plugins are installed from the Configuration window's plugin tab using a .zpl file, and Appetizer must be restarted to enable them.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Plugins
- Available plugins include document encryption and decryption for a USB key, adding icons to groups, closing the dock after launching an app, revealing a shortcut target, and hiding the dock on startup.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Portable package
- The ZIP package can be unzipped to a hard drive or USB stick, and settings are saved in the application directory.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- PortableApps detection
- With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect apps in “PortableApps” and documents in “Documents” automatically.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- PortableApps support
- When using the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect its apps and documents automatically.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Shortcut organization
- A wizard imports shortcuts from various locations, and icons can be organized by drag and drop or regrouped in a menu.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Special items
- Special items can provide access to functions such as showing or hiding the desktop, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Supported Windows versions
- The download page says the latest version works on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
- Windows compatibility
- The download page says version 1.4 works on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
Plans and prices
Appetizer Free Free open-source application launcher for Windows Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source
- Portable ZIP package available
- Multiple icon sizes and skins
- Shortcut import wizard
- Multi-launch and hotkey controls
Limits
- Listed Windows support ends at Vista
- Plugin changes require restart
- Forum registration is closed
- No free trial listed
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who want a customizable shortcut dock, including portable-drive users and people organizing PortableApps collections.
Verdict
Appetizer focuses on organizing and launching Windows shortcuts, with portable operation and plugin extensions. Its stated compatibility targets older Windows releases, so verify your system before use.
Where Specifiction places it
- App Launcher Software#4 of 408.7
- App Launchers#6 of 408.6
- App launchers#8 of 408.5
