MadAppLauncher is a simple, free tabbed launcher. It supports up to 10 different tabs, with 30 slots each that can hold program, file, or folder shortcuts. Each slot is mapped to a key on the keyboard and can be launched by pressing that key .
I personally like tabbed launchers because of the prospect of using them as substitutes for a cluttered desktop (i.e. to replace the disparate icons that exist on the desktop with icons organized/grouped in tabs). This requires that the tabbed launcher be fairly simple and easy to interact with, which in this case is a very good description of this software.
Here’s a list of PROs and CONs:
PROS: what I like about this software
- Simple interface: drag and drop shortcuts onto the launcher, from one tab to another, or from one location within a tab to another. Right click to edit; quick and simple.
The option to set an application’s initial window size and location: as well as whether it is run as administrator or not. (See screenshot to the right).- 10 tabs: should be more than enough to display and organize everything you can think of.
- Keyboard shortcuts: I like both the fact that MadAppLauncher is accessed via a keyboard hotkey, as well as the ability to launch any of the items in the launcher by pressing a corresponding keyboard key.
- Reconciles shortcuts: which is to say dragging a program shortcut to the tabbed launcher creates a connection to the program itself in it’s install folder (and not the disposable shortcut).
- Displays files and folders: in addition to programs.
CONs: my wish list
- Icon only option: i.e. the ability to hide/ do away with text labels and use icons exclusively within the launcher, would be nice to have.
- It doesn’t save its configuration file ( *.mal) automatically: although you can easily turn it on via settings/options/general/auto save file, this might cause some users unaware that they have to do this to spend a lot of time setting the launcher up for the first time only to find their work gone after restarting the program.
The verdict: a nice little program that does exactly what it purports to do. Definitely check it out if you are looking for a quick program launcher or if you are looking for a tool to help you de-clutter and/or organize your desktop icons. (Or both).
Version Tested: 1.0.0.0
Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7. 32 bit and 64 bit. Requires MS .NET Framework 4.0
Go to the program home page to download the latest version (approx 1.45 megs).
leave the Name blank and you will see only the Icon
Icon only option fix
Simple just wipe off the name on the edit button properties
And save the new icon configuration under a different name.
Shawn
Now that’s odd I didn’t see the post before posting mine earlier… guess you can delete my post considering sulasno posted the same answer… BTW the file that is saved is a XML file type and easy to edit to tweak them options.
Shawn
I’m still happily using a tabbed launcher written ages ago under Windows 7.
It seems to do everything that this program does and more : for details see :-
http://launchmate.sourceforge.net/
Can I add a con please? It doesn’t save its configuration file ( *.mal) automatically.
You need to turn it on via Settings – Options – General – Auto save file (*.mal). The developer should fix this – at present you can spend a while setting it up, but if you close it down and re-open it all the slots and tabs are blank.
Otherwise, looks an interesting program. personally my favourite launcher is “Launcher” from http://www.microsystools.com . It allows me to create as many folders as I wish (e.g. media – players, media – recorders, media – graphics, etc) and is simple to set up and use.
This looks like a great program. It looks even better after you watch the demo. However please be advised that it lists NET Framework 4.0 as a requirement. That leaves me and my old XP SP2 computer out. Thanks though for sharing.
Just installed this. Nothing works: couldn’t add an application, couldn’t use custom icons, couldn’t drag and drop anything, and every time I launch it I get a new blank template, after checking the autosave button. The only thing that worked was naming a tab. And this after carefully watching all the demo videos. Couldn’t uninstall this fast enough.
@ Colin: I agree with the point you made; added to the cons list. I am also checking out the launcher you mention.
@ gpc: I didn’t realize it required MS .NET Framework 4.0; changed the requirements section to reflect this.
@ Jake: which version of Windows do you use? Could it be that you don’t have MS .NET Framework 4.0 installed? Alternately, it might be a privileges issue; try running the program as administrator and see.
@ Shawn/Sulasno: thanks for suggesting the workaround. I still want a global option to remove text labels though
@ Phil: I downloaded Launchmate; will check it out.
Hey. I think this is my first post on your site, which I love by the way.
I would like to add to the wish list. I would like to see an option for a default tab when MadApp is opened. I am using MadApp at work and I have my tabs divided like this: Most Used, Files/Folders, Utilities (a-s), and Utilities (s-w). Logically, I would like to have the Most Used tab displayed when I first open MadApp.
I would also like to see slightly wider tabs to contain the text that I’ve entered for each. I have added the number of the tab before the text on the tab so i can easily see which keypad number corresponds with which tab, i.e., 1: Most Used, 2: File/Folders, etc. This makes placing a meaningful name on the tab difficult so a wider tab would be nice. In lieu of this quircky workaround of mine, another option would be to have the tabs labeled already somehow, with maybe the number above each tab or something.
Thanks for recommending MadApp. I installed it to replace QuickClic. I believe I learned about QuickClic (and all my other utilities from this site), but the advantages of dragging and dropping files, folders, or shortcuts to create launch links is much easier than the more cumbersome menu setup associated with QuickClic. Also, the look and feel of MadApp is much nicer than QuickClic. The only thing I miss about QuickClic is that it opened next to your mouse pointer location.
MadApp is working like a charm for me on W7. I’ve almost completely cleared my desktop and placed/categorized my shortcuts in MadApp. I have almost no need for DesktopOK anymore (utility used to restore desktop icon locations). Thanks again for you work on this site.
One more thing I just thought of, I would like to hide the icon in the tray. It’s not needed if you’re a hotkey junky like I am. I keep clicking it inadvertently when I double-click other icons in the tray so it’s getting in the way down there.
@ Mark: I’m glad you are finding this app useful; hopefully the developer will see these take your suggestions to heart.
You can use “File/Folder Launcher” as an alternative of MadApp Launcher.
“File/Folder Launcher” can be downloaded at :
FCorp Homepage : http://fcorpsoft.tk
FCorp Forum : http://fcorp.proboards.com
Honestly i try some of this launcher but i still prefer a small lightweight launcher developed ages ago, similar to launcher, but still little and simple.
Traybar
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/traybar.html
You can’t put there link or strange things, simply file, folder, or create and organize in folder you create.
Honestly i try some of this launcher but i still prefer a small lightweight launcher developed ages ago, similar to launcher, but still little and simple.
Traybar
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/traybar.html
You can’t put there link or strange things, simply file, folder, or create and organize in folder you create.
the program is 62kb and use at least 2.1 Mb of memory