Useful Freeware » Shell & Desktop

Launch programs faster with Executor

bbetov — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:17:46 +0000

Executor is a very useful replacement of the standard windows “Run” dialog (Start->Run). That is the way the standard Run command should have been done. It offers many customization settings and it is skinnable.

You can define your own keywords, to start applications, etc. Executor features keywords autocomplete, history, and many others. Very cool feature is that you can define your own commands with parameters, and launching multiple programs with a single command.

Here are couple of screenshots – (I grabbed them from the Executor’s web-site, because I couldn’t figure out how to make the screenshots I like).

If you are like me to hate searching through program files and have your hands on the keyboard most of the time this is for you. I love the program – it starts with my windows.

Who is locking that file?

bbetov — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:44:32 +0000

Find out with Unlocker. Have you ever seen a message that a file is in use by another process and cannot be deleted? Unlocker integrates in explorer and appears on the context menu on a file or a folder. When selected it shows you a list of processes that have opened the file and gives you a choice to unlock the file (i.e. closing the file handle), killing the process(es) or just quit with no action. You can just see which program is locking the file (or a folder) and close it yourself.

Another interesting option it gives is to copy,rename or even delete the locked file, which is very useful if you need to look at a file, opened by some process (or deleting a spyware).

Power Pro

bbetov — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:20:57 +0000

Power Pro is a compact launcher, supporting multiple positions and forms of the button bar. You can assign actions for each button for the different mouse clicks (i.e. launching a different programs with right and left click). Very flexible launching options to start programs, shortcuts, documents by assigning global shortcut keys, on timers, clicks, etc.

One feature I love is that right-clicking the minimize button sends the application to the system tray. Support for virtual desktop is an invaluable feature especially if you use a single monitor. The program is designed with one thing in mind – efficiency. It’s creator has succeeded to find the right balance between number of options, flexibility, power and ease of use.

It is a fine addition to any windows installation.