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Launchy

launchy.net

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidAPI
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Spec score 8.8 #1 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software

What it is

Launchy is a free utility for opening programs, files, folders, and websites with a few keystrokes. It indexes start-menu programs and can search directories and file types that users add. It stays in the background until the hotkey is pressed: Alt+Space by default, or Control+Space on Linux. Users can customize its appearance with skins and extend it through plugins for web searches, calculations, custom commands, and bookmark access. Other listed plugin examples include PuTTY sessions, task switching, and system power controls; these are made by other developers, and Launchy does not guarantee their functionality or behavior. Portable mode stores configuration files in the directory where Launchy runs, so it can be used from a USB stick. The bundled Calcy calculator supports addition, division, subtraction, multiplication, and parentheses. The listed platforms are Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Launchy is free to download with no fixed price; the listed recommended value is $10 USD, and the plan notes suggest considering a $3 contribution.

Spec sheet

What it does
Launchy is a free cross-platform utility that indexes programs and opens documents, project files, folders and bookmarks from keystrokes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Purpose
Launchy is a free cross-platform utility for replacing the start menu, desktop icons and file manager.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Integrations
The official plugin list includes PuTTY sessions, Todoist, Windows Live Messenger, system power controls and task switching.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Support
The help page directs users to the distributed Readme.pdf and Launchy forums for support.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
License
SourceForge identifies the project as GNU General Public License version 2.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Background mode
Launchy stays hidden in the background until its hotkey is pressed.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Browser bookmarks
Foxy indexes Firefox bookmarks and Firefox quick-search keywords.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Calculator
Calcy performs arithmetic using only addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and parentheses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Calculator limit
The bundled Calcy calculator supports only addition, division, subtraction, multiplication and parentheses.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Catalog
Users can add directories and specify file types such as MP3, JPG or all files for indexing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Catalog indexing
Users can add directories and specify file extensions such as music, image or document types for indexing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Command arguments
After selecting an application, users can press Tab and enter command-line arguments before launching it.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Custom commands
Runny supports aliases and parameterized commands using placeholders such as $1, $2 and $3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Directory browsing
Explory lets users browse folders and files by typing a path and pressing Tab repeatedly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Documentation depth
Help consists of a bundled Readme PDF, API pages with event documentation and SourceForge forums and trackers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Fuzzy search
Its search attempts to match program or file names despite differences in capitalization, punctuation and spelling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Google calculations
GCalc sends calculations and unit conversions such as currency or kitchen measures to Google.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Hotkeys
The default hotkey is Alt+Space, with Control+Space used in Linux.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Independent review limit
VIDI Lab reported that adding folders requires several configuration steps, large indexes can slow hard disks and some folders were incompletely indexed until manually rescanned.Read 15 Oct 2026 · vidilab.com
Independent review praise
VIDI Lab found Launchy faster and simpler than the Windows Start menu, with useful calculator, Control Panel and web-search plugins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · vidilab.com
Keyboard activation
The launcher stays hidden until Alt+Space on Windows, Apple+Space on Mac or Ctrl+Space on Linux is pressed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Latest project update
SourceForge lists May 22, 2014 as the project's last update.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Legacy toolchain
The plugin page says binary-compatible development currently requires Visual Studio 2005, while the API2 guide references Qt 4.3.3 for Launchy 2.0 and Qt 4.4+ for 2.1.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Limit: installation and search
SourceForge complaints include Alt+Space conflicts, duplicate input fields, failed searches, crashes and plugins that cannot be downloaded.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Limit: maintenance
Several SourceForge reviewers say development appears dormant, bugs are ignored and the project needs a new maintainer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Linux limitation
The documentation warns that some skins do not work correctly on Linux without a compositing manager and may show black mask areas.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Maker identity
The official pages credit Josh Karlin and show Code Jelly in the copyright notice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Notable news
Launchy 2.5 was announced on April 3, 2010 with OS X support, faster performance, Linux improvements, tray icon, shortcuts and simplified skins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Plugin API
Plugins can add indexed objects, claim input with regular expressions or take control after a user presses Tab.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Plugin build requirements
The documented plugin interface is a Win32 DLL written in C++ with Unicode and static linking, using LaunchyPlugin.h and LaunchyPlugin.cpp.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Plugin catalog
The official Windows plugin list includes Launchy# for .NET, Pylaunchy for Python, Todoist, PuTTY, Tasky, System Power and other extensions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Plugin development
Developing binary-compatible plugins currently requires Visual Studio 2005.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Plugin limitation
The listed plugins are a non-exhaustive sample made by other developers, and Launchy provides no guarantee about their functionality or behavior.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Plugin safety warning
The maker says the listed third-party plugins are non-exhaustive, unreviewed and used at the user's own risk.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Plugins
Launchy has a plugin architecture with plugins for web searches, Firefox bookmarks, calculations, custom commands and more.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Portable mode
Portable mode stores configuration beside the executable so Launchy can run from a USB drive.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Portable-mode caveat
The documentation warns that moving a portable installation between computers can leave its index stale and recommends rebuilding it.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Praise: broad usage
Reviewers report using Launchy for many years across Windows, Mac and Linux and consider it indispensable after installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Praise: productivity
SourceForge reviewers repeatedly describe Launchy as a major time saver that clears the desktop and opens apps or documents quickly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Project registration
SourceForge records the project as registered on March 3, 2005.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Published versions
The download page identifies version 2.5 as the latest stable release and 2.6 Beta 2 as the latest Windows and Mac beta.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Rating on Softpedia
2 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Rating on SourceForge
4.8 out of 5 from 81 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Search and launch
It indexes start-menu programs and launches documents, project files, folders and bookmarks with a few keystrokes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Skins
Users can install and edit skins through skin.qss and misc.txt files, and the project links to a community skin gallery.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Softpedia criticism
Softpedia reported Weby URL errors, force-opening URLs over saved browser tabs, lack of cmd/dxdiag/ping commands and multiple advertised features not working in testing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
SourceForge support
The project directs users to SourceForge bug, support, patch and feature-request trackers and discussion forums.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Supported desktop systems
The download page lists Windows 10, 7 and XP, Mac OS X, Ubuntu 32-bit and 64-bit builds, plus a source tarball.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net
Supported targets
Launchy can open files, folders, websites and programs using smart search.Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Web searches
Weby provides keyword searches for Google, MSN, Yahoo, Live, weather, Amazon, Wikipedia, dictionary, thesaurus, IMDb, Netflix and MSDN.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net

Plans and prices

Pay what you want Free No fixed price · recommended value $10 USD · download free · consider paying $3 Read 30 Sep 2026 · launchy.net
Pay what you want Free No fixed price; free download; recommended value $10 USD; creator asks users to consider paying $3 Windows 10/7/XP · Mac OS X · Ubuntu/Linux downloads · source tarball Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchy.net

Every Launchy plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Opens programs, files, folders, and websites.
  • Users can add directories and file types.
  • Customizable skins and plugin architecture.
  • Portable mode can run from a USB stick.
  • Free to download with no fixed price.

Limits

  • Plugin functionality is not guaranteed.
  • Calculator supports only basic operations and parentheses.
  • Plugin development requires Visual Studio 2005.

Who it suits

Launchy suits people who want keyboard-driven access to programs, files, folders, and websites. Its directory indexing, skins, plugins, and portable mode offer ways to tailor how it works.

Launchy in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Launchy is a free launcher for people who would rather type than navigate a start menu, desktop icons or folders. It suits keyboard-focused users who want a configurable way to open indexed items across several platforms. Its appeal is flexibility at no fixed price; the trade-offs are an older, constrained plugin-development setup and extensions whose behavior is not guaranteed.

Key features

Launchy indexes start-menu programs and can open documents, project files, folders and bookmarks with a few keystrokes. Smart search also handles files, websites and programs, making it useful when you know what you want to open but do not want to browse for it. The search is only as useful as the catalog you configure: users can add directories and choose file types, such as MP3 or JPG, or include all files.

Launchy stays hidden until summoned. Alt+Space is the default hotkey, while Linux uses Control+Space. This keeps the launcher out of the way for users who prefer a keyboard workflow, but offers less to people who favor visual navigation.

Skins let users customize its appearance, with additional designs in a gallery. Plugins can add web searches, Firefox bookmarks, calculations and custom commands; the official list also includes integrations such as PuTTY sessions, Todoist, system power controls and task switching. These extensions are made by other developers, and Launchy does not guarantee their functionality or behavior. The bundled Calcy calculator is also limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and parentheses, so it is not a substitute for a more capable calculator.

Portable mode stores configuration in Launchy's own directory, which makes carrying it on a USB stick possible. Plugin development is a narrower proposition: binary-compatible plugins currently require Visual Studio 2005, and the API uses C++ Win32 DLLs with Unicode support and static linking of required libraries. That is a significant constraint for anyone planning to build or maintain extensions.

Pricing

Launchy is free to download, with a pay-what-you-want option: free, no fixed price, a recommended value of $10 USD, and a suggestion to consider paying $3. There are no paid feature tiers to weigh against the free version. This suits users who want a capable launcher without a required purchase; the optional payment is a contribution rather than a separate plan.

Platforms

Launchy supports Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, and is described as cross-platform. The platform list makes it a candidate for users working across different systems, though the stated Linux hotkey differs from the default shortcut. Portable mode is useful when configuration needs to travel on a USB stick.

Who it's for

Launchy is best for people who prefer keyboard-driven search, want to decide which directories and file types enter the index, and value skins or community extensions. It is less suitable for users who expect guaranteed plugin behavior, need a full-featured calculator, or want to develop plugins with a current toolchain. Support is directed through the distributed Readme.pdf and Launchy forums.

Pros and cons

Pros: It can search and launch a broad range of indexed items, including programs, files, folders and websites, without a required price.

Pros: User-selected directories and file types help focus the catalog, while portable mode keeps configuration alongside the application.

Pros: Skins and plugins offer ways to adapt its appearance and add functions such as web searches and custom commands.

Cons: Plugin functionality is not guaranteed, making add-ons a less dependable basis for a workflow.

Cons: The bundled calculator supports only basic arithmetic operations and parentheses.

Cons: Plugin development depends on Visual Studio 2005 and a C++ Win32 DLL API, a substantial limitation for prospective developers.

Alternatives

Raycast is worth choosing instead if you want a freemium launcher with thousands of extensions and a Free plan that includes three months of Clipboard History and five Notes. Alfred is a macOS-focused alternative if app launching and file searching are enough at no cost, with a $34.00 USD one-time Single License for one user on two of their own Macs and the current version.

Ueli is another free option across Linux, macOS and Windows. Winstep Nexus Dock is a Windows choice for readers who prefer a dock, with a free personal-use plan and paid licenses for business use or its Ultimate tier. Keypirinha is a Windows-only freeware alternative with no nag screen, time limit or ads.

Pinokio is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows. Rofi is a free option for Linux and macOS; its development version has no tarball release. dmenu is a Linux-only free X11 dynamic menu under the MIT/X Consortium License. For broader browsing, see App Launcher Software or Start Menu Customization Software.

Verdict

Choose Launchy if you want a free, keyboard-first launcher whose search catalog, appearance and extensions can be tailored to your workflow. Its broad set of launch targets and portable mode make it flexible, but users who depend on plugins should account for the lack of behavior guarantees, and developers should look elsewhere if Visual Studio 2005 is not a workable requirement.

Verdict

Launchy offers keyboard-driven search and launching, with user-defined indexing, skins, and plugins. Note that plugin behavior is not guaranteed and the bundled calculator supports only a limited set of operations.

Where Specifiction places it

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