You want a small Windows 7 sidebar gadget to launch applications instead of using the taskbar? Here’s an app launcher gadget that might come in handy, plus my favorite alternative – a circle dock for Windows 7.
The app launcher is really easy to use, all you have to do to configure it is to drag and drop all your applications into this field (which you can access when you right-click on the gadget and click on Options):
The default background of the gadget isn’t that beautiful, but it comes with many other backgrounds that you can use. You can also add your own background images to the app launcher.
It’s also possible to add special links (Internet Explorer, Opera, FF favorites) to the gadget:
Download Gadget (Windows 7): App Launcher v3
My Favorite App Launcher: Circle Dock & Speed Launch for Windows 7
I’m not using the sidebar gadget above, instead my favorite way of launching programs is to either simply use the taskbar or use a tool like the Windows 7 circle dock or Speed Launcher developed by Microsoft.