Apple’s Mac OS X Lion for desktops and iOS 5 for iPhone sports LaunchPad, Group Folder features that lets users group similar apps together in a folder. This is useful when you have many apps installed but still wish to have a less cluttered desktop. That being said Windows users are out of luck for not having this cool feature natively. This is when we go in search of third-party apps that can emulate unique features available on a particular platform. Get WinLaunch for Windows now.
Related post: Group Windows 7 Taskbar Icons Like iOS App Folder Using Bins
With WinLaunch application launcher available for Windows XP, Vista and 7 you can replicate the iOS group folders or Mac OS Launchpad feature on Windows PC. Available for both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows you can customize to the core to make it look like Mac OS X LaunchPad or create your own themes. To begin with, download and unzip WinLaunch to get both versions of .exe files. Based on your OS version (32/ 64-bit) click to launch WinLaunch.exe standalone app. Now when you launch the app a new window with blurred background image will load on top of desktop where you can start adding apps. Hit ‘F’ to start adding applications from desktop or folders.
Once you finish adding apps or other files to WinLaunch pad you can group then together just like the way you do on Mac Lion or iOS 5. Drag and drop one app over other to create a folder. After this you may continue adding similar apps to that folder by simply dropping on it.
To rename a folder click on ‘Rename’ button below the LaunchPad window and then click the folder or app for which you would like to add a new name. Punch in new name and then hit ‘Rename’.
Like what you have on iOS 5, apps and files can be removed from WinLaunch by pressing and holding it. The apps will then start shaking with a x mark on all apps/ folders that when clicked closes or removes from WinLaunch pad.
The best part of WinLaunch is that it can be customized to the core. Go to ‘Settings’ and start playing with options there. WinLaunch pad can be controlled using gestures if you have Synaptics drivers for touchpad in place. It can enabled by going to ‘Synaptics’ tab under WinLaunch ‘Settings’. Once enabled this app can be activated by 3 finger tap and scrolled through by 2 fingers slide. The ‘Design’ tab lets you add background image, set current desktop wallpaper as background, resize app icons, enable/ disable Aero blur, change folder background, change Animation speeds etc. Each time you tweak WinLaunch features you can name it and save it as a theme. So next time when you wish to have a new look you can simply enable a saved theme.
WinLaunch pad for Windows can hold any number of apps and if screen becomes full apps gets added to a new screen. To switch between screen simply slide through or use touchpad gestures if Synaptics is enabled on your laptop.
Watch WinLaunch for Windows in action:
Download WinLaunch for Windows XP, Vista, 7 (32 & 64 bit)
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thanks for sharing ! i love macbook air for long time and now i have it but at the first time i can not use it , toooooo hard