14 DAY TRIAL // The main purpose of every launcher is to help the user access files, folders, network locations or weblinks much easier. But what makes a launcher application better, or more attractive than the others? There are different types of launchers: launch files using keywords or using a simple mouse click over the application we want to start.
The FSL Launcher application was designed to be a simple tool that will help you organize the shortcuts in groups, to be accessed more easily. With the help of Groups, you will be able to sort files and shortcuts preferentially. You can create customized groups and drag and drop items, or browse for the files to be added. For every attached item, you can assign a name, enter the working directory path and arguments.
In every group, you must not add items with the same name. The item that you append will overwrite the existing one. It will not warn about the existence of another item with the same name. From the Advanced tab of Setup window, you can enable the detailed or simple info tip for every shortcut.
At installation, FSL Launcher will create a folder (C:UsersUserXFSLLauncher) that contains the default Groups. After you add, edit, or erase the groups, the folder will contain the added shortcuts. One feature that needs to be pointed out is the Backup Restore Groups. You can create a personal configuration and save it to a ZIP file. What I could not find how to do and did not manage to create was to add weblinks - not a shortcut to a website from Favorites folder, but a web shortcut. The only way to add a shortcut to a URL address is to bookmark the website and then select from Favorites folder the correspondent file.
If the "Stay on Top" option is disabled, you can activate FSL Launcher by moving the mouse cursor on the top right corner. You can setup a delay time for show or hide operations from the Basic tab of Setup window. Also from this window, you will be able to select the skin to be used. If you want, you can create a personalized skin. From the Advanced tab of Setup window you can set the Icon Options, select the wanted icon and enable the button mode that will remove the icons name and add a compact view to the icons. In the Alerts tab window you can select to be notified and warned before deleting a group or shortcut.
The software also provides some extra features that are available to privileged users only. Besides the hot corner, FSL Launcher can be activated using hotkeys. This feature is restricted to normal users. The activation zone feature is also restricted, as well as the enable group launch button and the password request. The privileged users are the users that support the FreeSoftland development team with donations.
The producer provides a great help file that users can read and find answers to the questions regarding the launcher. There are some features presented in the help file that are available to privileged users only. It does not specify how much to donate to become a privileged user so if you like the software and want to support the team, give it a try.
The Good
FSL Launcher application provides a great method to manage and organize your shortcuts. You can customize the looks by selecting the skin you like or create your own. After you customize the looks, create groups and add shortcuts, you can backup your settings to a ZIP file.
The Bad
I was interested when I saw that FSL Launcher can manage your URL links. But the fact is that you can select the files from your Favorites folder or any other bookmark that is saved to your hard drive and create a shortcut.
The Truth
First, you must test this version and see if you like it and whether it provides the features you want. However, if you want to benefit from the advanced features that are presented to you in the help file, you must donate and become a privileged user. Support the development team and I am sure you will be not disappointed, because FSL Launcher has some great features to offer.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
