For those of us that are called upon time and time again to repair computers, after a while, it gets to a point where you will have all the necessary tools on you at all times. And what better way of doing this then to use a USB drive? I know for a fact that I nearly always carry a small 4 gig USB drive on me in case of emergency repairs are needed at sometime or another: a different way to remain prepared for sure. But rather then dig though my mess of computer files, I’ve learned to use, abuse, and adapt my tools to work with application launchers.
For those that don’t use them already, an application launcher can be a god send. It is a central launching tool to know where all your applications are, to help organize yourself so you’re not looking all over for HijackThis Portable or Re-Enable Portable on your external flash drive. I’ve personally used several, and I’m only going to provide a basic overview, because it is a case of ‘using what you think is best’, from what I see it being anyway. The only launcher I do not cover here is U3, only because I have never had any flash drives that support it.
PortableApps.com Launcher

The PortableApps.com launcher is the first launcher I personally used, thanks to Lifehacker. To me, it’s a complete application and works in all forms of Windows, including Windows 7. It has also been been the one I’ve also used a fork of: Geek.Menu. The fork has not been updated to work in Windows 7, however, it offers additional security and features not yet implimented in PortableApps.com. PortableApps.com’s launcher until recently also offered Open Source only applications on their site, but have now expanded to offer some closed source applications as well.
App.etizer

Much like PortableApps.com’s launcher, it is a completely portable launcher too. I haven’t used it too much, however, it comes across as the same general idea as PortableApps.com. It is a different style then the Start Menu style, in that it comes across a bit like Gnome-DO under Linux.
ASuite

ASuite, like PortableApps.com’s launcher, is a Start Menu styled launcher… there’s not much to say about it. It has no skins, unlike the PortableApps.com beta, and is lighter, even when comparing to them fully loaded and not. However, when we are only speaking of a difference of a few kbs, there’s not much one could really complain about. It is also smaller in terms of file size on your USB hard drive as well.
I’m aware there’s also an application out there called ‘LiberKey‘, however, as they were a GPL violator, I’ve never used it before. I’ve heard good things, however, about how they provide a lot of special to them only applications, but you can use them no matter which launcher you’re using.
Despite how it seems to be one more tool in the toolkit, Portable Application Launchers can be pretty useful, allowing for making your life, and the cleanups you have to do after people that much easier. I post this, ironically today, due to the fact that I had to run a full Windows re-install because of one of my family members deleting some key files for Windows XP and 7… while using Puppy Linux. Believe me… I was stumped too.
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thanks for the heads hell….. :D
Thanks Paul for mentioning Re-Enable and Geek Menu..
I wasn’t aware of these two..
Re-Enable looks pretty handy to carry around with usb stick! Thanks again.
@godablue, PortableApps.com is my present favourite, only because Geek.Menu hasn’t upgraded.
And despite what LiberKey says, Maximum PC did some research and found out what they said there is false. I’m aware most people don’t care, I know I usually don’t, but if it’s an application I’ve otherwise got a replacement for that works just as well, I’ll keep using what I have.
Nice !!
I will try App.etizer, but my preference go to PortableApps.com Launcher. I’m awaiting their Beta 5 for a long time !
portableapps.com/node/24104
I don’t understand.
Why you said that LiberKey website is GPL violator ?
I found some comments in other articles but there is also an answer on their forum.
liberkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3200
Finally i don’t care, i use only open source apps when i’m not on my kubuntu :D
@ronen1n, like I said above, as GPL violators, I refuse to use them. I’ve heard good things… but if you break the GPL, it means you show no respect for Linux, Firefox… etc.
Nice Post
Thanks
@Paul\HellNoire
Thanks.
If you want, send by e-mail is fine. I do not care at all.
Whoa!!! That’s REALLY useful, good grief! Thanks heaps!!!
liberkey.com/ is the bast
Hi,
Another to the list Portable Start Menu
aignes.com/psmenu.htm
@dis1, I’ll take a look at it. I won’t evaluate it openly, but would you mind if I send you an email with my thoughts?
@2percent, it’s one of the first ones I think… I’m not sure.
I made a portable application launcher as “UO Launchpad”.
It mady by AutoIt Script. The original is Korean version and it support English.
UO Launchpad site
dis1.tistory.com/tag/UO%20Launchpad (Korean)
uolaunchpad.blogspot.com (English, under strunctre)
Please try “UO Launchpad” and evaluate it.
I have been using PortableApps for a while. They have a good selection of apps. Their Portable Apps Creator 0.97.2 beta was useful when I need one that that was not available yet.