AppExec

Two years or so ago I released the first version of AppExec. I had created it as a replacement for the Microsoft Office shortcut bar, whose pop-and-slide antics I found extremely annoying. The first version of AppExec was menu-based and rested in the system tray. When you clicked the icon, a menu came up listing all available categories. Under each of those categories was another popup menu containing all the shortcuts. It was extremely useful for quickly opening a new application without having to navigate the unnavigable Start menu or minimize all programs back to the desktop. However, it was rather limited in how many categories and shortcuts it could hold. In addition, the interface was rather bad and the whole program was rather unstable.

So, I decided to re-write AppExec. I created a totally new project and started from scratch. I designed a new graphical interface, using tabs instead of menus for categories and icon-based shortcuts instead of the boring menu items that I had used before. In addition to the interface changes, this new version is much more stable and reliable, and it has a host of new features. For instance, you can now specify parameters and a working directory for the applications that you create shortcuts to. You can also grab icons from any file on your system for your shortcuts. In addition, you can also specify to automatically minimize (or maximize) the application upon running a shortcut.

I compiled and used the new version (2.0) for a while on my own system for the purpose of finding and correcting bugs. I also added a few new features during this time, such as the ability to stay on top of other applications. After a week or so of bug-busting and feature-adding, I did a final compile and release as version 2.1. Over the past year or so I have used it many times every day. I have been constantly tweaking and refining it, and the result of those efforts is what is available for you to download FREE here.

Current EXE Version #: 2.2.2

Target Platforms: Win95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP (has been tested only under Win95/98/XP)

View Readme

• Easy-to-use graphical interface with a customizable background and font
• Full-color icon shortcuts
• Resides in your system tray for quick and convenient access
• Nearly unlimited categories and shortcuts
• Optional parameter and working directory specification for each shortcut
• Optional auto-minimization upon execution of a shortcut
• Optional ability to stay on top of all other applications
• A small, fast download and an easy installation

The download is available in two ways: as a ZIP and as a self-extracting EXE. If you don't know how to unzip and move files, just download the EXE (the first link) to your computer and double-click on it. Click "Unzip" in the window that opens and AppExec will automatically be installed in C:\AppExec.

• appexec.exe  (89 KB)
• appexec.zip  (64 KB)

Last modified: 01/04/04
Copyright (c) 2004 Michael Lam