Launch8 1.15

Launch8 is a quick launch utility for Windows 8. It gives you a stationary dock that remains on your Start screen no matter how much you swipe away from the original home page. This gives you a great little widget from which to access your favorite programs and apps from anywhere on the Windows 8 Start screen. This app is from Stardock, the same developers that made Start8 – an app that brings the classic Start menu to the Windows 8 operating system.

Installation

The installation is almost as quick and easy as the download (with a tiny file size of only 1.0 MB), except we should note that the installer will be set to download the 30-day trial version of Stardock's other leading software, the previously mentioned Start8. However, you can choose to disable this download if you just want to proceed in downloading the trial version of Launch8. If you want the full paid version of either one of these apps you'll have to pay $5 for the license.

Interface

Virtually every aspect of the Launch8 interface can be customized, from the height and width of the launch bar to the positioning. You can pin it to the top or bottom of the Windows 8 Start screen and it will stay there while you swipe through pages of app tiles. Be aware though that it does disappear when you switch to Desktop mode or enter into a modern app. Adding apps to the launch bar is as easy as dragging and dropping.

Pros

• You can swipe left or right in the Start screen interface while still having quick access to your favorites

• Gives you more room for app tiles on your Start screen because you can remove some after you've added them to the Launch8 bar

• Lets you choose whether the Launch8 bar is pinned to the top or bottom of the Start screen

• Save time and hassle by launching applications from the docked “jumplists” that will provide fast access to your most recently used apps

• Easily add apps to the Launch8 bar by dragging and dropping the app tile to the position of your choice.

• You can group apps together by adding a separator between them.

• Very useful functionality for a program with a file size of only 1.0 MB

Cons

• It's not free – you'll be paying $5 to add this functionality to Windows 8. However, there is a free 30-day evaluation copy available.

• If you add too many apps to the launch bar you'll actually be decreasing their visibility because you'll have to scroll more. Then again, scrolling through the Launch8 bar is still usually quicker than swiping across your Start screen to look for the right app tile.

• Would be nice if the Launch8 dock would stay visible in Desktop mode or while inside a modern app.

Alternatives

Perhaps the best part about this software is that there are no alternatives available yet that can provide this type of functionality in Windows 8. So if you want a stationary dock that is similar to the dock provided in the Mac OSX operating system, then this is the app for you.

Conclusion

If you have a lot of apps that you need quick access to and you prefer the stationary dock structure over the conventional app tiles structure that Windows 8 employs by default, then downloading Launch8 is definitely worth your time. Mac users who also use Windows 8 will probably find this add-on useful and inviting.