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Appetizer
What it is
Appetizer is a free, open-source application launcher dock for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders. A wizard imports shortcuts from different locations, and users can arrange icons by dragging them or grouping them in menus. The dock can be resized and shown horizontally or vertically, with small, large, or extra-large icons, custom icons, and skins; two skins are included. It supports multi-launch, a hotkey to hide or show the dock, and minimizing it to the tray. Special items provide controls such as showing or hiding the desktop, opening the Recycle Bin, and opening Control Panel. With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect apps in PortableApps and documents in Documents. The maker offers version 1.4 as a Windows installer or a ZIP package for portable use; the ZIP can be unpacked to a hard drive or USB stick, with settings kept in the application directory. The download page lists Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Plugins add optional functions and require a restart to enable them.
For and against
For
- Free, open-source application launcher
- Dock layout and icons are customizable
- Supports multi-launch and a show-or-hide hotkey
- ZIP package can run from a hard drive or USB stick
Against
- Download page lists Windows 2000, XP, and Vista
- Plugins require a restart to enable
The verdict
Appetizer offers shortcut organization and launch controls in a customizable Windows dock. Check the listed Windows compatibility before using it.
Who it suits
Appetizer suits Windows users who want a customizable dock for shortcuts and folders, including users organizing portable apps. The download page lists Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.
Plans and prices
Appetizer
Free open-source application launcher for Windows
Read 11 Oct 2026 · appetizer.cozic.net
On the record
- Customization
- The dock supports plugins, multiple skins, custom icons, and horizontal or vertical layouts.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Dock layout
- The dock can be resized and display icons horizontally or vertically.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Download formats
- The maker offers version 1.4 as a Windows installer and a ZIP package for portable use, with settings saved in the application directory.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Help and API
- Help files are bundled with the executable and offered in several languages, and the site links to plugin creation guidance and an API reference.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Icons and skins
- It supports small, large, and extra-large icons, custom icons, and multiple skins, with two included.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Launch controls
- Features include multi-launch, a hotkey to hide or show the dock, and minimizing the dock to the tray.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Launch features
- Appetizer supports multi-launch and a hotkey to hide or show the dock.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site copyright identifies Laurent Cozic.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The maker describes Appetizer as open source and says it will remain free.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Users can drag and drop icons, group shortcuts in menus, and use a wizard to import shortcuts from various locations.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Plugin examples
- Available plugins include Securizer for encrypting and decrypting documents on a USB key, a shortcut grouping menu item, and a plugin to close Appetizer after launching an app.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Plugin installation
- Plugins are installed from the Configuration window's plugin tab using a .zpl file, and Appetizer must be restarted to enable them.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Available plugins include document encryption and decryption for a USB key, adding icons to groups, closing the dock after launching an app, revealing a shortcut target, and hiding the dock on startup.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- PortableApps detection
- With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect apps in “PortableApps” and documents in “Documents” automatically.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- PortableApps support
- When using the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect its apps and documents automatically.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Portable package
- The ZIP package can be unzipped to a hard drive or USB stick, and settings are saved in the application directory.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Appetizer is a free application launcher, or dock, for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Shortcut organization
- A wizard imports shortcuts from various locations, and icons can be organized by drag and drop or regrouped in a menu.appetizer.cozic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
