Of all the software program launchers I’ve used in the past and the ideas I’ve had about how a program launcher should function and what should be added to make it easy, I never would’ve thought of using the much neglected numeric keypad as a solution for launching software.
Program launcher is usually a piece of software that collects/creates an easier way to access all the software you use on a normal day to day basis. Usually it boils down to having your fav programs in one easy to reach menu that can be access with either a click or a bunch of keyboard shortcuts for each program that you run.
ControlPad turns the numeric keypad on your keyboard to a Windows command execution system. Once ControlPad is running, press and hold the * key on the numeric keypad, for about 1 second. At this point, a small window will pop up, allowing you to enter any keyword or numeric code. To add a new command to your list just type in a numeric code (eg. 123) and then press `/’ on the keypad, a second box will open up asking which program /command you want to associate with the numeric code (eg. notepad) just enter the desired program and you’re done.
To execute the command is even more easier, just hold down * again , in the small window that pops up type in the keycode you gave and then hit Enter. The program associated with the numeric code will automatically run.
The beauty is that you can have an unlimited number of keyboard shortcuts to your much used programs however the functionality extends to not just running programs but actions such as opening documents or URLs and even performing a certain combination of keystrokes to be sent to a program or even your OS.
