Control Runner is a program launcher and manager for Windows that can substantially increase your productivity. It's built on the popular MomShell program manager, first released in 1995. You can launch programs on Windows systems in two ways: by clicking a shortcut on your desktop, or by browsing the Start menu. Both methods are fine when you have a few applications installed, but if your work depends on many frequently used programs, or your organization requires a consistent user interface, there is a better way. Control Runner presents installed applications in a powerful and convenient tabbed interface, allowing you to group related items, whether they're applications, documents, or Internet links. Selecting and launching the right one is a guaranteed, two-click task. There's no more guessing, and you have control over how your system is organized.
Editor's review of Control Runner Although it provides a handy way to organize your frequently used programs, Control Runner won't offer much benefit to users who only regularly run a couple of programs. The utility offers a tabbed interface, so you can group programs and documents according to their functionalities. You access the utility via its system tray icon or a hot key, though we wish you could launch its individual programs with a quick keystroke combination. Adding new entries is a snap, as you can simply drag and drop programs to Control Runner's main window. We also appreciated the ability to spruce up the app's look with a number of skins. The features that allow you to hide all taskbar or desktop items with a single click are welcome extras and should come in handy to those who quickly need to conceal their activities. Since it just basically improves upon Window's built-in functionality, Control Runner is a better fit for multitaskers than for casual home users.