Reach any folder, file or program with a keystroke

Nov 26

freeware, productivity hack, shortcut, software 1 Comment »

I work with at least ten folders I use often, at at least five files which are called up daily for modification and countless applications I need a lot. In my quest for a way to access these quickly I have come across PS Hot Launch, a perfect freeware utility for the task at hand.

It advertises itself as “a perfect alternative to the Start menu and the Quick Launch panel”, and while I won’t be chucking the start menu in the bin anytime soon, it’s the best tool I’ve seen for this purpose so far.

You can create a list of programs and folders which you use frequently, organizing them into virtual structures, just as you can in the start menu. You can then right click on the icon in the system tray to access this menu. I do not use this feature however as the Vista start menu is very usable, I do however use the hotkey feature.

The hotkey feature enables you to bind hotkeys to any folder or file. This does mean you have to remember them to use them effectively, but if you use it often this will not be a problem. I have “win+alt+p” bound to my Hack Your Day post directory, “win+alt”x” bound to an order excel sheet for another project and “win+alt+f” bound to my trusty Firefox. These are just some of the ways you can use this easy to set up application, have fun, be productive.

PS Hot Launch homepage

~ by pdna on January 13, 2008.