Like most of you, I use the Windows Run command (Win + R) to start many applications which I have added to the PATH environment variables to simplify my life.
However, as I have grown tired of this inefficient method, I looked around and found not 1, but 2 better solutions:
1. an automation for adding applications to your Win + R list using a simple VBScript and the Windows Right-Click Send to menu. This has made it very easy. Until I found the next solution.
Source: http://www.gooli.org/blog/a-very-simple-winr-enhancement/ [1]
2. a FOSS tool that does that and much much more.
Free, skinnable, configurable to include searching your favorites, specific extensions, directories and much more:
Launchy
Source: http://www.launchy.net/ [2]
To put it simply, if it did not exist, someone would have to invent this tool!
Enjoy ;)
Links:
[1] http://www.gooli.org/blog/a-very-simple-winr-enhancement/
[2] http://www.launchy.net/