I started using a program called Launchy a couple of weeks ago, even though I first heard of it a couple of months ago. As you can imagine, I was a bit skeptical: how could a keyboard solution be better than the mouse I’ve been using this whole time? Let me show you how.

This post started with my calling Launchy a program, but I think it’d be better described as a process running in the background of Windows. It starts with the computer (that can be changed), and takes up around five megabytes of RAM – so by no means do you need an Alienware to run Launchy. When you hit two keys, Alt+Space by default, the Launchy box pops up. Key in the name of a program and hit Enter. The program will then launch.

Launchy

For example, typing in “Windows Live Writer”, or just “Writer” will launch the program Windows Live Writer.

Launchy’s open-source and can be skinned. If you don’t like the default skin, don’t use it! DeviantArt’s got a great collection of Launchy skins. Launchy is free, so you can try it and see whether it works for you or not – I know that I personally love it and found it to be the best thing since sliced bread, but other people might not be so enthusiastic about it.

No more taking a minute in the Start menu to look for my programs, even though the time was reduced by using the Windows key. Now, I just call up Launchy. I hope it’s as useful for you, dear reader, as it was for me.

For more information about Launchy, visit their official website at http://launchy.net.