Sometimes you may need to run programs with administrator privileges. Maybe it's required for the program to function, or it fixes an issue, or lets the application run in full-screen mode. The usual method to do this, is to right-click on the executable and select the run as administrator option. You could create shortcuts for these programs, but it will quickly clutter your desktop.
Is there a way to tackle both these issues? There is, if you use a program like SuperLauncher, it allows you a quick way to access several applications from one place, which keeps your desktop clean. And if you want to, you can run them with elevated rights, only when required.
As the name suggests it is a launcher application, it sits in the system tray. A single click on the icon opens the program's interface, which is a black window that pops-up just above the tray. SuperLauncher has one shortcut assigned to it by default, for the Command Prompt (and it starts at the program's folder). To add a new shortcut, right-click on the tray icon, and select the Add Shortcut option from the menu.
A browse window opens, which you can use to jump to the location of the EXE that you want. That's not very difficult, is it? The shortcuts you add to SuperLauncher function like a normal one you place on your desktop, i.e. a double-click opens the corresponding program. Right-click on a shortcut to remove it from the launcher.
SuperLauncher does not have a proper context menu, so you can't customize the icons or set advanced parameters. But then, how do you run these programs as an administrator? If you look at the top right of the launcher's window, you will see the current user's name. Keep this in mind, now right-click on the tray icon and select the Elevate option from the menu. Windows' UAC will alert you regarding the request, allow it to run. Take a look at the launcher's interface again, you should now see the administrator icon next to the username, which means it can now be used to run the programs with elevated rights. This is completely optional, so if you just want to use it as a normal launcher, you can skip the setting.
Have more than one user account on your computer? SuperLauncher allows you to run programs as any user, to do so, use the Run As option from the tray menu. You will be required to enter the selected user's credentials to authenticate the switch.
SuperLauncher is an open source program. Despite the Super in its name, the program is quite simple to use.
Closing Words
The application needs a better way to add shortcuts, I feel drag and drop could be a much faster way than the manual method that is in place. It can become cumbersome, especially if you want to add a bunch of shortcuts at the same time. Even a "Send To > SuperLauncher" option would be more efficient than the current method. A portable version could be a welcome addition, and so will ways to add folders for shortcuts, renaming the shortcuts, sort them manually.
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