How to launch apps, files and folders quickly on Windows
Short answer
Windows covers the basics: press the Windows key and type a name, or pin apps to the taskbar and open them with Win+1, Win+2 and so on. Folders, files, websites and apps with launch options are clumsier. A launcher panel puts all of them one click away. AppRig's Quick Access holds tiles for apps, files, folders and websites, grouped into shelves.
The manual way
Windows already has a decent keyboard launcher: press the Windows key, type the first few letters of an app, file or setting, and press Enter. For your most-used apps, right-click them and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start. Pinned taskbar apps open with Win+1 to Win+0, numbered from the left.
Folders and files are less tidy. You can pin a folder to File Explorer’s Quick access or to Start, but not straight to the taskbar, and websites need a browser bookmark. Apps that you open with particular options, such as a browser profile or a project folder, need a hand-edited desktop shortcut, and desktop shortcuts are only handy when the desktop is not buried under open windows.
If you prefer the keyboard, Microsoft’s free PowerToys includes PowerToys Run and the newer Command Palette, which search apps, files and more from one shortcut.
The faster way with AppRig
AppRig’s Quick Access is a panel of tiles that launch with one click. Add a tile with + and pick a file, folder, app or website, or just drag a file, folder or link onto the panel. The app picker lists classic desktop apps and Microsoft Store apps alike. Each tile has an optional Arguments field, with a library of ready-made snippets such as Chrome incognito or opening a folder in VS Code.
Tiles sit on named shelves you can show or hide, reorder by dragging, and resize from Tiny to XL. The panel can also pop out as its own floating window and be pinned on top. Going beyond two shelves, and running tiles as administrator, are AppRig Pro features.
Get AppRig free Microsoft Store · Windows 10/11
See the full AppRig how-to in the docs →
Common questions
Can I open taskbar apps with a keyboard shortcut?
Yes. Pinned taskbar apps are numbered from the left, so Win+1 opens or switches to the first one, Win+2 the second, and so on up to Win+0 for the tenth. Win+Shift+number opens a new instance of that app. It is the quickest launcher built into Windows, as long as your favourites fit in the first ten taskbar slots.
How do I pin a folder to the taskbar or Start menu?
Windows does not let you pin a folder straight to the taskbar. Right-click the folder and use Pin to Quick access to add it to File Explorer's sidebar, or Pin to Start to add it to the Start menu. A workaround for the taskbar is a desktop shortcut whose target is explorer.exe followed by the folder path, which Windows then lets you pin.
Is PowerToys Run or Command Palette a good free launcher?
Yes. Microsoft's free PowerToys includes a keyboard launcher: PowerToys Run (Alt+Space by default) and its newer successor, Command Palette (Win+Alt+Space by default). Type a few letters to open apps, files and settings, do quick sums or run commands. It suits keyboard-first users; people who prefer to see their shortcuts laid out and click them may want a tile panel instead.
Can a launcher open an app with specific settings, like a browser profile?
Yes, through command-line arguments. Most Windows apps accept extra options after the program path, such as Chrome's --incognito or a folder path for VS Code. You can add them to a desktop shortcut via its Properties > Target field. AppRig's Quick Access has an Arguments field on every tile plus a library of ready-made snippets for popular apps.
Related questions
AppRig does this and more, all in one local-first Windows app. See what AppRig does →