Is there a way to make one shortcut to open multiple apps in windows ?

Discussion in 'General Software and Applications' started by Strike105X, Jun 16, 2016.

  1. Strike105X

    Strike105X Guest

    Messages:
    140
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    RX480Nitro+@4Gb
    Hi, what i want is to make one desktop shortcut which brings me to a selection of which app do i want to launch, it can even be a batch script (though the only one i know is for launching multiple apps from one batch file, not a selection).

    I don't want to use a desktop launcher like rocketdock or object dock, all i want is for a very basic way or app to have an app selection from one shortcut.
     
  2. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

    Messages:
    19,558
    Likes Received:
    1,636
    GPU:
    ROG Strix 1080 OC
    Quick and nasty way would be to create a new folder say in documents, create a shortcut to each of the apps you want to choose from in that folder, then create a shortcut to that folder on the desktop

    When you click that shortcut, it will open the folder containing all the app shortcuts ready to choose from
     
  3. mbk1969

    mbk1969 Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    15,539
    Likes Received:
    13,556
    GPU:
    GF RTX 4070
    Or pin programs to start or to task bar.
    Also you can create new panel in task bar which actually is folder with shortcuts. So you can create folder then create there shortcuts to programs then select this folder as new panel in task bar.
     
  4. -Tj-

    -Tj- Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    18,097
    Likes Received:
    2,603
    GPU:
    3080TI iChill Black
    I just made a desktop folder with all game shortcuts in there, same with benchmark/tool apps
     

  5. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

    Messages:
    19,558
    Likes Received:
    1,636
    GPU:
    ROG Strix 1080 OC
    I just do this (Win98se style)

    [​IMG]
     
  6. adabiviak

    adabiviak Master Guru

    Messages:
    806
    Likes Received:
    37
    GPU:
    Gigabyte GTX 980Ti
    I think you're looking at a batch file or a Powershell script, that would fire these up all at once with a single action (something you fire manually or automatically). The shortcut would point to the batch file or script, but I don't believe shortcuts themselves are capable of pointing to/opening multiple files by themselves.

    If you're talking about starting them individually, there is no faster way (other than pre-programmed auxiliary buttons on your keyboard mapped to these, but I'd still challenge you to a race) than a properly groomed Classic Start menu (available only with 3rd party software nowadays). You can have these programs open while everyone else is still pawing around with the mouse.
     
  7. mbk1969

    mbk1969 Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    15,539
    Likes Received:
    13,556
    GPU:
    GF RTX 4070
    What Extraordinary posted (with picture) is practically the same thing as classic menu.
     
  8. adabiviak

    adabiviak Master Guru

    Messages:
    806
    Likes Received:
    37
    GPU:
    Gigabyte GTX 980Ti
    Does it open with the Start button, or do you have to reach for it with the mouse?
     
  9. mbk1969

    mbk1969 Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    15,539
    Likes Received:
    13,556
    GPU:
    GF RTX 4070
    If you ask about picture in Extraordinary`s post you have to reach it with the mouse. This is toolbar in taskbar, maybe you can assign a key combination to it.
     
  10. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

    Messages:
    19,558
    Likes Received:
    1,636
    GPU:
    ROG Strix 1080 OC
    My screenshot, yea it's just a folder in Documents named with Alt 255 to give an empty folder name, then right click taskbar > new toolbar and select that folder, that adds it to the end of the taskbar

    [​IMG]

    Add as many folders / shortcuts to it as you like for cascading flyout

    Same as Win98s quick launch when there were too many shortcuts to show, but with extras like 98s start menu

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2016

  11. mbk1969

    mbk1969 Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    15,539
    Likes Received:
    13,556
    GPU:
    GF RTX 4070
    I did not try those toolbars in Win10 but in older Windows you can omit the name of toolbar by checking out corresponding option. As well as names of shortcuts on that toolbar.
     
  12. Dch48

    Dch48 Guest

    Messages:
    1,821
    Likes Received:
    1
    GPU:
    Sapphire Nitro+ RX 470 4g
    Yes, there is a way to make Windows open multiple apps. You just press the power button and turn the machine on.:)
     
  13. Cyberdyne

    Cyberdyne Guest

    Messages:
    3,580
    Likes Received:
    308
    GPU:
    2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra
    If you MUST use a batch file, the best way to do it would probably be this...
    Code:
    @ECHO OFF
    
    :Ask
    CLS
    
    ECHO 1 - App Name 1
    ECHO 2 - App Name 2
    ECHO 3 - App Name 3
    ECHO 4 - App Name 4
    ECHO 5 - App Name 5
    ECHO 6 - App Name 6
    ECHO 7 - App Name 7
    ECHO 8 - App Name 8
    ECHO 9 - App Name 9
    ECHO 0 - App Name 0
    
    SET /P M=Choose a number, then press ENTER: 
    IF %M%==1 GOTO app1
    IF %M%==2 GOTO app2
    IF %M%==3 GOTO app3
    IF %M%==4 GOTO app4
    IF %M%==5 GOTO app5
    IF %M%==6 GOTO app6
    IF %M%==7 GOTO app7
    IF %M%==8 GOTO app8
    IF %M%==9 GOTO app9
    IF %M%==0 GOTO app0
    
    :app1
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app2
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app3
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app4
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app5
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app6
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app7
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app8
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app9
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
    
    :app0
    START "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\..."
    GOTO Ask
     

Share This Page