We have been using Launchy ^[1] as a application launcher for quite some time, and even though there have been several ^[2] alternatives ^[3] we have talked about in the past, Executor is definitely a app we would rate higher than Launchy.

The major difference between Launchy and Executor is the the emphasis on user defined keywords, which allow users to set keywords for launching any given application, so for instance we can set a keyword techiebuzzto open up a browser window to load this site. Executor is also very light weight consuming very less memory and seamlessly integrates with Windows Search.

Another interesting feature that impressed us, was the ability to create hotkeys for launching applications without even having to run the Executor application. With Executor you can also view the launch history and clipboard history.

Executor Features

• 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).
• Keywords support parameters. Example "google latest executor" "wiki nirvana"
• Each keyword can be assigned a hotkey, so Executor can also perform like many popular hotkey managers.
• Lots of customizations available.
• One keyword or text input can start multiple keywords/urls/programs/documents/files etc. Example one keyword opens three websites and/or programs.
• Special keywords to list (and open) running applications, text previously copied to clipboard and recent documents.

Overall Executor looks like a application that will give Launchy a tough competition. Which application launcher do you use?

Executor ^[4] [via LifeHacker ^[5]]