Launcher

In case you are not a fan of the default Windows Start Menu and dread the idea of regularly having to organize your folders and shortcuts, then you might be on the lookout for a smart alternative.

Launcher is a small application designed to replace the messy start menu with a toolbar that you can customize to suit your needs and preferences.

When you first launch the app, you might not notice the application as it opens somewhere in the top right corner of your screen. This can create some confusion if you have a larger monitor and usually keep several programs running at the same time.

The app includes a grid-like interface that you can re-size and move to any desired location on your desktop. You can add shortcut by dragging and dropping it or right-clicking on any of the free slots.

It might not seem as much at first, but the app allows quite a few customization options. For starters, you can change the background image, color and opacity of the grid so that it does not distract you.

You can modify the number of the columns and rows, alter their sizes, change the orientation as well as the Chevron position to the left, right, top or bottom.

The application enables you to set a hotkey to hide and show the main window and attach a different sound for when you drag an icon or access the Chevron for instance.

Since it is designed as a smarter alternative to the traditional Windows Start Menu, you have the freedom to arrange the elements within according to your needs. In fact, you can place everything in the grid window and keep your desktop completely clean if you want to.

You can configure Launcher relatively easy to view it on top of other apps while you are working. Alternatively, you can show or hide it using a dedicated hotkey.

In addition to help you keep everything organized, the app also enables you to save the shortcut images as PNG.

If you are a bit bored with Windows start menu or simply prefer to maintain your desktop clean at all times, Launcher can be an option to try out.