Opening the same set of applications every morning can feel repetitive. Whether you need your browser, email client, and messaging app ready before you start working, clicking through the Start menu or taskbar takes time. Windows 11 allows you to automate this process using a simple text file that acts as a launcher.
Create a batch file for quick launching
The core of this trick is a batch file, which is essentially a script with a .bat extension. Windows executes the commands inside this file sequentially when you open it. To create one, right-click on your desktop or in any folder and select New > Text Document.
Open the new text file in Notepad. You will type the paths to the applications you want to launch. Each command should be on a new line. For example, if you want to open Chrome and Outlook, you would enter their installation paths or use their executable names if they are in your system path.
Save with the correct extension
Once you have listed your apps, save the file. This is the critical step where many users get stuck. When saving, change the file type from All Files and name it something like launch_apps.bat. The .bat extension tells Windows to treat this text file as an executable script rather than a document.
If you do not see the file extension, ensure that File name extensions is enabled in your File Explorer View settings. Without the visible extension, Windows might save it as launch_apps.bat.txt, which will not run when double-clicked.
What this means for you
This method provides a lightweight alternative to complex automation software. It requires no third-party tools and works on any version of Windows, including Windows 11. You can place the batch file on your desktop for immediate access or pin it to your taskbar for even faster execution. If an application fails to launch, you can simply edit the text file to correct the path.
For a cleaner look, you can also change the icon of the batch file by right-clicking it, selecting Properties, going to the Shortcut tab, and choosing a new icon. This makes it blend in with your other desktop shortcuts while retaining its multi-app launching power.
Source: Neowin
Over to you: Do you have a specific set of apps you open every day that would benefit from a single-click launcher?
