True Launch Bar

Spec sheet

What it does

True Launch Bar replaces Windows Quick Launch with customizable taskbar menus for applications, files and folders.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Purpose

True Launch Bar is a Windows Quick Launch replacement for organizing shortcuts and files in customizable taskbar menus.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Integrations

The feature list names integration with StartKiller, which can open a True Launch Bar menu in place of the Start menu.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Privacy

The vendor says the software contains no spyware or adware and does not phone home; no personal information is required to download or install it.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Support

The license page says registered software receives free updates and free support.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

API and SDK

A public GitHub Plugins Development Kit provides low-level TLBPDK and C++ wrapper libraries plus optional Cairo, HTTP reader, image, skin and UI libraries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Auto-sensing toolbar

Toolbar contents can switch automatically according to the active application and configured workspace.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Backup and restore

Toolbars containing shortcuts, menus and plugins can be backed up to a file and restored on another computer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Compatibility

The vendor lists Windows 8, 10, and 11 64-bit as the system requirements for the current download.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Custom menus

It can group shortcuts in popup menus, submenus, and folders, and show file thumbnails and recent documents.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Customization

Users can apply skins and customize toolbar buttons, menu items, colors, and tooltips.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Development

The maker says development will continue but less actively, with bug fixes and possibly new features.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Documentation and support

Official help consists of a FAQ, user forum and email support, with the support page stating typical replies within 48 hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Drag and drop

Shortcuts can be added by dragging with either mouse button, with right-drag exposing an action menu.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Hotkeys

Menus and shortcuts can be assigned keyboard hotkeys through the hotkey manager.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Hover launching

The product can launch a shortcut when the pointer rests over it for a configurable delay, without clicking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Latest release

The official home page identifies version 8.0 as the stable release dated December 1, 2022.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

License limits

The license terms describe personal, home, business, and corporate license scopes, including use on one, four, forty, or unlimited company computers respectively.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Limit: aging release cadence

The official history page lists version 8.0 in December 2022 as the latest major release, with earlier 2021 and 2019 updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Limit: platform scope

Software Informer lists Windows support and explicitly shows no Mac version.Read 15 Oct 2026 · true-launch-bar.software.informer.com

Limit: Softpedia usability

Softpedia said the many options are not especially intuitive and require time to learn.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com

Notable news

Version 8.0 was announced as freeware on December 1, 2022.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Plugin integrations

The Media Control plugin supports AIMP3, Foobar2000, iTunes and J.River Media Center through separate player support files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Plugins

The vendor lists dozens of plugins including mail monitoring, weather, news, media control, system monitoring, clipboard management and virtual desktops.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Popup menus

Users can group shortcuts into nested popup menus to save taskbar space.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Praise: CHIP editorial

CHIP highlighted extensive customization, drag-and-drop, image previews, a hotkey manager and free downloadable plugins and skins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · chip.de

Praise: Softpedia evaluation

Softpedia reported smooth operation, low CPU and RAM use, multi-monitor support, skins, auto-sensing, plugins and portable use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com

Praise: Software Informer user

One reviewer praised its low resource use, native Quick Launch integration, shortcut organization and configurability.Read 15 Oct 2026 · true-launch-bar.software.informer.com

Quick Launch compatibility

It uses the same shortcut folder and can be docked in the Windows taskbar like Quick Launch.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Rating on CHIP

3.2 out of 5 from 8 user ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · chip.de

Rating on Soft112

4.0 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · true-launch-bar.soft112.com

Rating on Softpedia

5 out of 5 from 1 editorial reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com

Rating on Software Informer

4.1 out of 5 from 10 votesRead 15 Oct 2026 · true-launch-bar.software.informer.com

Rating on TechSpot

User rating listed from 18 votes; no numerical score is displayed on the opened page.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techspot.com

SDK build requirement

The PDK README says Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 is required to compile the source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

SDK status

The public PDK repository is C++/C code with no published releases and no license shown on its repository page.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Security statement

The download page claims the software has no spyware or adware, does not phone home, and needs no personal information for evaluation installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Shortcut controls

Features include drag and drop, hot keys, and launching shortcuts when the pointer hovers over them.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Skins

Buttons and menus are skinable, and users can download or create skins using the documented folder and INI format.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Standalone mode

A standalone edition can run independently of Windows Explorer as a side panel docked to any screen edge.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

System requirement

The current download page specifies Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Thumbnails and recent items

Menus can show image thumbnails, recent documents and filtered folder contents.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Trial and pricing history

The download page says the product is now free, while also retaining older text describing a 30-day trial and a US$19.90 registration price.Read 9 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Virtual folders

Virtual folders can expose local, network and special Windows folders with Explorer-style context-menu actions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · truelaunchbar.com

Plans and prices

Every True Launch Bar plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• App launchers#6 of 408.7
• App Launchers#9 of 408.4
• App Launcher Software#11 of 408.3