I use Launchy on my computer of modern spec, but on any of my old machines (especially 32MB RAM Win98 machines) I use this all the time.

I also use (even on my new machines) the runbox to access certain things that are already in the path:
msconfig,
cmd
calc
mspaint
notepad
services.msc,
Shortcutting to windows firewall via "control firewall.cpl"
etc.

johnsmith1234

I wrote this back in May for Best Application Launchers. Use the "Windows Run command starting (Windows) shortcuts to programs that I've given very short names (no more than three letters), which I've placed in a folder to contain them that I've added to the Environment Variables Path command."

Adding a folder, mine is called "RunCommandShortcuts", to the C: drive keeps me from putting shortcuts in a folder like the Windows folder, where I could accidentally cause damage, and where they would be hard to find.

pschroeter

Meh, like I said on the DS post (first comment FTW!), the trade-off just doesn't add up to me. Sure its not THAT complicated to configure the path variable, shortcuts, etc, but Launchy is just so damn easy.

Rhayader

Here's something to expand on their toolbar suggestion:
1) Create folders in your shortcut folder.
2) Personalize with icons to make them identifiable
3) Ctrl+Click the folder on the shortcut bar.

Oh snap! Drop down folder sorting!

linoth

I used to make *BAT files for each thing I wanted to run from the run box. I recently made a little app that lets me create an INI listing all the launch commands I want, including the ability to launch applications from relative directories (ie. a portable drive). Each command is preceded by "c" or "s" (the name of the EXE) and the directory it is stored in has to be added to the Windows Environmental variables (or put in C:\Windows\system\)

Example:

Run-> "c notes" launches my notes program
Run-> "s mplayerc" launches mplayer

etc. You have to edit the INI manually, but it's pretty self explanatory.

You can download it here [www.flyupload.com] including the code used to compile it using AutoIt.

liku

I love this technique been usin it for a while now - it is one thing I wish I could do on my nix 'run' dialog (it may be possible but I haven't uncovered the technique yet)

invid

I suppose I can rename the links etc in:

/usr/bin

That'd accomplish what I do on my work machine.

invid

I wish sol still started solitaire in Vista.

thisisasignin

Even with Launchy I still Win+R:

cmd
mstsc
control [control_panel_keyword]

"cmd" is especially nebulous because its launch directory is critically important when it comes to respecting the PATH variable. Some applications include shell links to their own directories, which can pollute/destroy path to commands expected in system32. Excepting modified defaults, Win+R -> cmd always launches from %HOMEPATH%, which is an "acceptable" location. I never figured out whether this behavior was a bug or "feature".

Whelkman

Find And Run Robot (FARR) is still a great option. You can configure it to use almost no memory when not in use. The standard setting will only use 6 Meg while the minimal setting uses considerably less than that.

If you then combine the very flexible alias functionality with a utility like NirCmd, the sky is the limit on what you can do. I also love the ability to traverse the directory structure with auto-complete.

FARR
NirCmd

gRider

I still really like SlickRun. I used to just use Win+R, but most of the time it actually takes as long as 5 or more seconds to open the Run box, even on a fast machine with very few other programs running.

SlickRun is really light on resources, will launch anything in my path (like the Run dialog), responds instantly, lets me setup a hotkey using Win+something, and lets me add my own shortcuts, too.

krn

Everytime I see another launcher-type program get named, I look at it, and I still can't see a reason to use anything but MCL: [www.mlin.net]

I've used it for probably 7+ years now, and it still works great, and barely uses more than 1MiB of memory.

gokieks

OR you could upgrade to the vastly underrated Window Vista and just hit the Windows key and type in the name of the program you want and enter.

angrykeyboarder

Lots of users aren't in a administrative environment, and using runas commands can help speed up certain tasks.

Some of my faves

runas /user:\ cmd
runas /user:\ regedit

sonar_un

@gRider:

big love for FARR. thank you

ffolliet

Here's a run dialog quick tip: type a single period ("." without the quotes) opens an explorer window in the current directory (usually "my documents").

Handy for those older ThinkPads with no windows key. (Curse you IBM! Fortunately Lenovo came to their senses and fixed this). Typically I use Win+E to get an explorer window now.

bobbo33