WinLaunch
An open-source Windows launcher that shows your apps in a full-screen grid like the macOS Launchpad.
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Other download sites
Run by third parties, not by Jens Roth. Prefer the official page above when it works.
About WinLaunch
WinLaunch brings the macOS Launchpad idea to Windows. It opens a full-screen overlay with your applications laid out as icons in pages, so you can start programs visually instead of digging through the Start menu.
It is a Windows desktop application published on GitHub under the MIT license, and suits people who prefer an icon grid to a search-first launcher or who are used to Launchpad from a Mac.
Strengths
- Launchpad-style icon grid on Windows
- MIT licensed
- Visual alternative to the Start menu
Limitations
- Windows only
- Grid-based rather than keyboard-first
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the MIT license.
- License
- MIT
- Developer
- Jens Roth
- Platforms
- Windows
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Windows users who like the macOS Launchpad layout
- Categories
- App launchers
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to WinLaunch
Compare allSoftware that can replace WinLaunch for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Flow Launcher
Press a hotkey, type a few letters, and open an app, a file, a bookmark or a web search on Windows.
Flow Launcher replaces the grid with an MIT-licensed keyboard search box for apps, files, bookmarks and web searches, with a plugin store.
Fluent Search
A Windows search launcher for files, apps, browser tabs, open windows and on-screen elements.
Fluent Search is a keyboard search launcher for apps, files, tabs and windows on Windows, but its source code is not published.
Listary
Instant file search and app launching on Windows, with a search box that appears inside file dialogs as well as on its own.
Listary is a keyboard-first launcher and file search for Windows that is closed source, with some features in a paid Pro version.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Ueli is an MIT-licensed keystroke launcher that also runs on macOS and Linux, trading the icon grid for keyboard search.
Wox
A fully native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with GPU rendering and a plugin system, as an open Raycast alternative.
Wox is a GPL-3.0 native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux with a plugin store, rather than a visual grid.
Keypirinha
A very fast keystroke launcher for Windows, entirely portable, with packages written in Python.
Keypirinha is a fast portable keystroke launcher for Windows with Python packages, but it is closed source and unreleased since 2020.
Executor
A keyword-based launcher for Windows that opens programs, files, websites and web searches.
Executor is a closed-source keyword launcher for Windows with custom keywords, clipboard history and skins instead of an icon grid.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Nexus Dock
Launch applications and files from a customizable Windows desktop dock.
RocketDock
Classic lightweight application launcher dock for Windows with skins.
ObjectDock
Keep Windows shortcuts in an animated desktop dock.
MyDockFinder
Paid Windows dock and menu bar customization tool inspired by macOS.
nwg-drawer
A searchable full-screen application drawer for sway, Hyprland and other wlroots Wayland compositors.
