Free Application Launcher for Windows - Customizable Desktop Access

RocketDock: A Mac-Inspired Application Launcher for Windows

RocketDock is a software application designed for Windows operating systems, replicating the functionality of the launch toolbar found in Mac OS X.

Essentially, it’s a dock that resides along the periphery of your display, providing a convenient array of shortcuts.

These shortcuts dynamically expand upon mouse-over and initiate program execution with a single click.

Adding and Customizing RocketDock

The dock allows for the straightforward addition of shortcuts to various elements. These include programs, individual files, documents, folders, and even custom actions.

Users have the ability to personalize the dock’s visual appearance through the application of different themes and icon sets.

Furthermore, docklets are available to augment the dock’s capabilities and introduce extended functionality.

A Guide to RocketDock Configuration

This guide will detail the process of installing RocketDock, modifying its settings, and incorporating shortcuts into the dock.

We will also cover customizing the appearance of shortcut icons and installing new themes to alter the dock’s aesthetic.

Installing and Utilizing Docklets

Instructions will be provided on how to install and configure a docklet, with the Stacks docklet serving as a practical demonstration.

This will illustrate the process of expanding RocketDock’s functionality beyond its core features.

The following sections will provide a step-by-step walkthrough of each of these procedures, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of RocketDock’s capabilities.

Installing RocketDock

The installation process begins by double-clicking the downloaded .exe file. You can find the download link at the end of this guide.

Should the User Account Control dialog appear, confirm your choice by clicking Yes to proceed with the installation.

Note: The appearance of this dialog is contingent upon your current User Account Control configuration.

From the "Select Setup Language" dialog, choose your preferred language using the drop-down menu. Then, click OK to confirm your selection.

The setup wizard will then present a Welcome screen. Proceed to the next step by clicking the Next button.

Carefully review the License Agreement. To continue, select the "I accept the agreement" radio button and then click Next.

The "Select Destination Location" screen will appear. You can modify the installation directory using the Browse button if desired. Otherwise, accept the default location and click Next.

On the "Select Additional Tasks" screen, you have the option to create a desktop icon for quick access. Check the corresponding box if you wish to do so. Then, click Next.

A "Ready to Install" screen will summarize your chosen settings. Use the Back button to make adjustments if needed. Otherwise, initiate the installation by clicking Install.

Upon completion of the installation, the "Completing the RocketDock Setup Wizard" screen will be displayed. Click Finish to exit the installation process.

Image References

Launching RocketDock

Should you have opted to place a RocketDock shortcut on your desktop, initiate the application by double-clicking it. Alternatively, the program can be launched via its shortcut located within the Start menu.

Upon startup, a dock will appear, typically positioned at the top of your screen. This dock features a set of pre-defined icons, functioning as shortcuts and utilizing PNG images for visual representation.

Default Icons

The dock initially includes shortcuts to frequently accessed folders. These encompass locations such as My Computer, My Documents, Network Places, My Music, My Pictures, and the Control Panel.

Furthermore, the Recycle Bin is readily available directly on the dock for convenient access.

These default icons provide quick access to essential system functions and user files.

Adjusting RocketDock Configuration

A popup menu for RocketDock, offering options like Icon Settings, Dock Settings, AutoHide, and Lock Items, can be accessed by right-clicking either on the dock itself or on any of its icons.

The Screen Position setting provides further choices for anchoring the dock to a specific screen edge – the top, bottom, left, or right.

Dock Settings Overview

To fully customize the appearance and functionality of RocketDock, right-click on the dock and select 'Dock Settings' from the menu that appears.

The Dock Settings dialog box will then be displayed. Within the 'General' tab, you can configure RocketDock to automatically launch when Windows starts (Run at Startup).

Additionally, you have the option to minimize windows directly to the dock instead of the Taskbar (Minimize Windows to the Dock), which will show as thumbnail previews on the dock.

Icon Customization

Access general icon settings by clicking 'Icons' in the toolbar on the left. Here, you can define both a minimum (Size) and maximum (Zoom) size for all icons displayed on the dock.

Further adjustments include setting the Zoom Width and Zoom Duration, as well as selecting a preferred Hover Effect.

Positioning the Dock

The 'Position' section, found on the left, allows you to choose the desired Screen Position for your dock.

You can also control how the dock is centered on the selected edge (Centering) and adjust its offset from the screen's edge (Edge Offset). For multi-monitor setups, you can specify the Monitor on which the dock should appear.

Styling Options

The 'Style' section provides tools to modify the dock's theme, adjust the font used for icon labels, or disable labels altogether.

You can also alter the opacity levels for the outline, shadow, and the dock itself. Clicking 'Get More' directs you to the official resource for additional themes.

Behavioral Controls

The 'Behavior' screen lets you select the Icon Attention Effect, determining how icons on the dock respond to user interaction.

Furthermore, you can toggle and refine the AutoHide and Popup behaviors to suit your preferences.

Customizing Your Dock with Icons

The process of adding icons to your dock is straightforward. Shortcuts located on your desktop, as well as files and folders found within Windows Explorer, can be added by simply dragging and dropping them onto the dock.

Icon arrangement is also easily managed. You can reposition icons on the dock by clicking and dragging them to your desired location.

Removing Icons

To remove an icon from the dock, just click and drag it away from the dock area and release it elsewhere on your screen.

As an example, we have added Mozilla Firefox to the dock.

This demonstrates how quickly and easily you can personalize your dock with frequently used applications.

Personalizing Icons on Your Dock

Modifying an icon's appearance is straightforward. Simply right-click the desired icon and choose Icon Settings from the context menu that appears.

This will open a dialog box where you can adjust the icon's visual representation.

While RocketDock includes a selection of default icons, expanding your choices is easily done. Utilize the Get More button within the Icon Settings window to discover additional options.

Finding Additional Icons

Numerous icon packs are available for download, particularly on platforms like Deviantart. These packs often contain icons for frequently used applications, as well as icons for more specialized software.

Alternatively, explore the official RocketDock Icons Addons page for a curated collection of icons designed specifically for use with RocketDock.

By leveraging these resources, you can fully personalize your RocketDock experience with icons that reflect your preferences and software setup.

Customizing RocketDock with Themes

RocketDock is supplied with a selection of themes that allow users to modify the visual style of their dock. Further themes can be located and downloaded from the RocketDock Skins Addons page. Additionally, resources like Deviantart host a variety of available themes.

To integrate a theme that has been downloaded, first obtain the file and extract its contents. Subsequently, the folder containing the skin files should be placed into the following directory:

C:\Program Files\RocketDock\Skins

A security prompt may appear during this process. If presented, select 'Continue' to complete the folder pasting operation.

The newly added theme folder will now reside within the Skins folder, alongside the themes that were originally included with RocketDock.

Access the Dock Settings via the popup menu on your dock, then select 'Style'. Your newly installed theme will be visible as an option within the 'Theme' drop-down menu. Choose the desired theme and confirm your selection by clicking 'OK' to apply it.

Below is an illustration of our dock, showcasing the 'Smoked Glass' theme that has been applied.

Enhancing RocketDock with Added Functionality

Beyond simply arranging icons and altering its visual style, RocketDock’s capabilities can be significantly expanded through the use of Docklets. These small applications integrate directly into your dock, providing a range of useful features. A particularly helpful docklet is known as Stacks.

The Stacks docklet introduces a single icon to your dock that, when clicked, reveals the contents of a designated folder. This allows for efficient categorization of programs, files, and folders through the creation of organized stacks. We will utilize Stacks as a demonstration of the docklet addition and configuration process.

Adding and Setting Up Docklets

Numerous docklets are available, offering functionalities such as clocks, calendars, email notifications, battery status indicators, and shutdown/restart options. These can be obtained from the official RocketDock Docklets page.

To install a docklet, first extract the contents of the downloaded archive. Then, move or copy the extracted docklet folder to this location:

C:\Program Files\RocketDock\Docklets

If RocketDock is currently running, it must be exited. This can be done by right-clicking on the dock itself and selecting “Quit”.

Integrating the Docklet into RocketDock

After restarting RocketDock, right-click on an empty space within the dock. From the context menu that appears, choose “Add Item”. Then, select the docklet you recently added; in this example, we’ll choose “Stack Docklet”.

A default stack icon, featuring a downward-pointing arrow, will be added to the dock. Initially, clicking this icon will have no effect, as a folder containing shortcuts, files, or folders must first be assigned to it.

Configuring the Stack Docklet

To configure the stack, right-click on its icon and select “Icon Settings” from the displayed menu.

The “Stacks Docklet” dialog box will appear. To specify a folder, click the “Browse…” button located to the right of the “Folder” field.

Use the “Browse for Folder” dialog box to select the desired folder, which should contain shortcuts, files, and/or other folders. Confirm your selection by clicking “OK”.

Important Note: Ensure the selected folder remains in its original location. If the folder is moved, the Stacks docklet will be unable to locate it. Any additions or removals of files within the folder will be automatically reflected in the corresponding stack icon on your dock.

Customizing the Stack’s Appearance

To modify the icon displayed for the stack, click the “Browse…” button to the right of the “Icon” field.

The “Icon Settings” dialog box will open. Select a folder from the list on the left (if multiple folders are available) and then choose an icon from the “Icons” box on the right. Click “OK” to apply your changes.

Additional Icons: You can download further icons from the RocketDock Icons Addons page (accessible via the “Get More” button) and from websites like Deviantart. To integrate downloaded icons, use the “+” button below the “Folders” box in the “Icon Settings” dialog box to add the extracted icons folder to the list of available folders.

Finalizing the Stack Configuration

Choose a sorting method for the icons within the stack from the “Sort by” drop-down list (options include Name, Creation time, Last modified time, Last access time, or Kind). Select a display mode for the icons when the stack is clicked from the “Mode” drop-down list (options are Automatic, Fan, or Grid). Click “OK” to save your changes and close the “Stacks Docklet” dialog box.

Clicking the stack icon on your dock will now display the contents of the selected folder. Clicking an individual icon will launch the corresponding program or open the file or folder.

Troubleshooting

Some users may experience issues with the Stacks docklet losing its settings upon restarting RocketDock. The download page for the Stacks docklet provides a solution to this problem.

You can download RocketDock from http://rocketdock.com/.