Launchy vs Win9xplorer
Launchy
launchy.netWin9xplorer
win9xplorer.abby.mdSide by side
| Figure | Launchy | Win9xplorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 0 |
| Spec score · Start Menu Customization Software | 8.8 (#1) | 6.4 (#34) |
| Integrations | The official plugin list includes PuTTY sessions, Todoist, Windows Live Messenger, system power controls and task switching. | The maker identifies Spotify as an integration through its taskbar toolbar. |
| License | SourceForge identifies the project as GNU General Public License version 2.0. | The project is GPL-licensed; the repository identifies the license as GNU General Public License. |
| Purpose | Launchy is a free cross-platform utility for replacing the start menu, desktop icons and file manager. | Win9xplorer recreates the classic Windows 9x experience for modern Windows with a retro file explorer and taskbar. |
Plans
In their own words
Launchy
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.
Win9xplorer
Win9xplorer has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.