Winlaunch

Microsoft fitted the Windows operating system with the Start Menu to let you easily access and launch your applications. There many 3rd party-developed alternatives to the Start Menu out there and one of them is the C0rrupted-developed WinLaunch. This application gives Windows users access to a Mac OS X launchpad. You can put your favorite applications and your most accessed files on the aforementioned launchpad.

To get started with WinLaunch you will have to get a 16.1MB archive onto your machine. Inside the archive there are two folders, one entitled “x86(32bit)” and the other "x64(64bit)”. Inside these folders you will find the executables you will need to get WinLaunch up and running. You will not have to go through any installation process.

By default, the launchpad offered by WinLaunch activates when you put the mouse cursor in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Or to put it in other words, the upper left hand corner is a hotcorner and will activate the launchpad when you put your mouse on it. From the Settings menu you can change the hot corner if you so desire.

When you start WinLaunch for the first time, there are no shortcuts on it. To add a shortcut for an application or a file, you need only drag and drop it onto WinLaunch. You will first have to press the F key on the keyboard. Say you put a shortcut for Defraggler on the launchpad – when you click it, the defragmenting utility will launch.

Whatever image you have as the desktop wallpaper, it will be used as WinLaunch’s background. From the Settings menu you can change it to something else. And since we’re talking about looks, it must be mentioned that you can use themes to customize the way WinLaunch looks.

WinLaunch is donationware, meaning that you can use the application for free, but you’re encouraged to make a small donation of $3 to support the application’s development.

WinLaunch brings Mac OS X looks and functionality to Windows. It provides a handy launchpad for your applications and files.