Executor is a multi purpose launcher and a more advanced and customizable version of windows run. It allows you to pretty much ignore your start menu and do all kinds of time saving stuff from the Executor itself.

No doubt I’ve been in love with a similar application called Launchy for quite some time. Launchy is a free windows and linux utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager. It indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes!

Many have come, but Launchy still stands as the king. But Executor brings with it many features that Launchy doesn’t have and it might be time to make a switch.

One of the major differences between the two is Executor’s emphasis on keywords. Although it does text search for just about anything, Executor gives priority to user-assigned keywords for launching apps, documents, and folders. What’s more, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to any keyword for quick launches without even invoking Executor. It’s also has a small footprint on your system clocking in at just about 10 megs.

Check out this feature list:

• Keywords have properties like shortcuts, and you can for example drag-drop a shortcut/file/folder/favorite to add it as a keyword.
• Auto-completion for keywords, file system and history (can also be configured).
• Url detection, Enter URLs directly (like www.google.com, mail.google.com, google.com or http://www.google.com).
• Keywords support parameters. Example “google latest executor” “wiki nirvana”.
• Besides keywords Executor can also optionally and dynamically add matching start-menu items, control panel items and other handy items to the drop-down/list.
• Ability to add your own paths to scan for user defined file extensions.
• Keyword “find [text]” for using Windows Instant Search (Vista) feature or Windows Desktop Search (WDS for XP etc.).
• Optional show icon for current keyword/input.
• Optional show drop-down box for current keyword/input (auto-completion).
• Optional drop-down box can be set to auto-open (like windows run) displaying auto-completion suggestions.
• Optional Vista like list displaying matching items.
• Layout can be customized. Set colors, font, dimensions, position, transparency and more.
• Skinable. Supporting alpha blending effects and free positioning of all elements.
• Each keyword can be assigned a hotkey, so Executor can also perform like many popular hotkey managers.
• Many settings to customize the program as you like.
• Can be launched from an user defined hotkey.
• One keyword or text input can start multiple keywords/urls/programs/documents/files etc. Example one keyword opens three websites and/or programs.
• Each keyword have properties like optional group (to organize into groups), customizable icon and other properties.
• A number of special commands (like for example pause and replace tag with parameter).
• Optional windows context-menu integration (as another way of easily adding new keywords).
• Optional show title for the current input.
• Can import keywords from windows start-menu.
• All file-paths can be auto-completed (also when file-path is a parameter).
• Keywords to manipulate the current active window (center, resize to specific size, maximize width or height etc).
• Special keywords to list (and open) running applications, text previously copied to clipboard and recent documents.
• Many special keywords like for example lock computer, restart, shutdown, standby, turn off monitor, mute sound, show date/time/week number etc.
• Shortcut keys for faster navigation.
• Integrated calculator.
• Import/Export keywords.
• Option to override windows run hotkey (Win-R).
• Optional sounds.
• Integrated Windows context-menu (for example when right-clicking list items).
• At startup a number of keywords/commands optionally be launched.
• Several hidden experimental/minor settings to play with (Example show time/date/other stuff when idle).
• Freeware.

General settings screen:

Keyword Configuration:

Enough reading already, if you’re not a Launchy user then you want to go try this. If you ARE a Launchy user, you should at least hit up their website and take a look…. this might just replace your default launcher.

Executor website