Overview

Qsel is a program launcher that will also launch all sorts of files (with registered extension), web links and Explorer folders. Features:

Launcher window:
  • Large or small Icons
  • Selectable background color and font
  • Popup menu (right mouse button) for settings, options

  • Categories with individual windows (size, font, color)
  • Category menu (click on category title)
  • Next category (arrow forward) button
  • Backstep button to previously visited categories
  • Auto alignment of category windows (at top left or right corner)
General settings:
  • Start options
  • System Tray mode, Hotkey
  • Popup style (window without title bar)
  • Tool window mode (does not show in taskbar), auto-hide mode
  • Single click launching, close/minimize after launching
  • .. and more
Configuration window (per category):
  • Command details, parameters, directory
  • Drag&drop from Windows Explorer or from existing Shortcuts
  • Shortcuts are resolved
  • Environment variables supported
  • Selectable Icons, test launch, category title
  • Special category with startup functionality
Variable drive letter:
  • Adapt current drive letter of USB flash drive etc.
  • Auto or manual control of variable drive letter mode
The first time you run Qsel, the empty configuration window will be opened. Pls. enter a name for your first category. Later the Configuration and Settings are available through the context menu (right mouse button) in the Launcher window.


Copyright, Disclaimer

Qsel is Freeware © 2004-2018, Horst Schaeffer.
Email: | horst.schaeffer@gmail.com
Website: | http://www.horstmuc.de

License agreement

This program is provided 'as is', without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The author shall not be liable for any damages caused by the use of or inability to use this program. This means that the user must assume the entire risk of using this program.

This program is freeware. It may be freely distributed, but may not be sold.

This program may not be distributed as part of other software without prior consent of the author.

Modification of this program is not permitted.

Use of this program indicates you understand and agree to the conditions of this license agreement.


Installation

After unzipping all files to a program folder make a shortcut (on the desktop, for example). For an additional shortcut in the Startup folder see General settings.

Qsel is a portable program, that creates data files for the settings (Qsel.ini) and for the menu data (*.qsl) in the folder of the program by default. However, Qsel also offers several ways to use other data folders. See Data folder details.

Windows Vista / 7 / 8

If you have installed Qsel inside the "Program Files" structure (not recommended!), the data files are redirected by Windows to a separate "VirtualStore" folder. You can find this folder through the General Settings, [?] Button / Data folder.

Notes:

When you start Qsel, although it is already running, Qsel will not open another window, but just bring the running instance to the foreground. However, you can run multiple instances of Qsel when the configurations are in different folders.

This program does not make any entries in the Windows Registry.
To uninstall remove the files and shortcuts.
When you install (unzip) an update, your data will remain untouched.

When the INI file is write-protected, Qsel runs in user-only mode, i.e. the Configuration and Settings are not accessible.


Shortcut

To make a shortcut on your Desktop, drag Qsel.exe from the Windows Explorer with the right mouse button, drop it on the desktop, and select "Shortcut". Change name and icon of the shortcut as you like. If you keep the data in Qsel's program folder, that's all you have to do; else see Data folder details.

Command Options

Command options can be added in the Target input box of the shortcut
(set cursor to the end, add space to separate parameters from the path).
Available options:

• /hide opens Qsel minimized or hidden » General Settings
• /noStartup to skip Startup items » Categories
• /i (i=1,2,..) item selected at start (0=none)

• /close closes the running Qsel instance (for scripted action)

Flash Drive Shortcut

Windows insists that a shortcut target must have a fixed drive letter, which means you cannot use Windows shortcuts on a medium where the drive letter may change.

This could be a solution: http://www.horstmuc.de/wminis.htm#shortexe


Variable Drive Letters

Variable Drive Letters (Flash Drive ..)

Qsel detects "removable" drives or media, like flash drives or CD/DVD drives. In this case Qsel knows that the drive letter may have changed, and will use the right letter. The configuration always shows the currently valid drive letter. You can also remove the drive letters from paths manually, which will always work.

On removable media you will usually have paths to programs and files on this drive only. For access to other drives it is safest to use environmental variables, like %Windir%, %ProgramFiles% or %AppData%, because all drive letters, even the system drive, may be different on other computers. (Use SET command at command prompt to list the available environmental variables).

Notes:

If Qsel cannot recognize a drive as removable (some USB hard disks, for example), or if you want to treat a virtual drive as "removable", you can set the "Variable Drive Letter" flag manually. » General Settings

Inside the Qsel shell (for Qsel and all programs that are launched) the environmental variable %Vdrive% holds the current drive (letter+colon).

Handling of questionable drive letters:

If you use the System drive letter (usually "C:"), or the Home drive letter (where the Documents and Settings are) literally, then Qsel assumes that you know what you are doing, and will not touch these drive letters.

To use other drive letters (if that makes sense) note the following condition:

Qsel checks the commands in your item list, and locates the first drive letter other than those excluded above. This is assumed to be the removable drive or medium, and only this drive letter will be replaced with the currently used letter throughout the configuration file.


Qsel Data Folder (Details)

If you want to use data folders other than the program folder, there are three different ways to tell Qsel where this folder is located:

• path in a redirection file
• path by command parameter
• path given in "Start in" field of shortcut properties

• The redirection file is named "QselRedir.ini". It must be in the same directory with Qsel.exe, and holds only one statement specifying the DataPath (relative or full path; environmental variables are supported).

Examples:
DataPath = some\where
DataPath = \tools\Qsel\
 • As command parameter the data path can be appended to the target specification in a shortcut (enclose in quote marks if necessary). This will override any other data folder assignments. With different shortcuts it is even possible to use multiple data directories.

• The "Start in" field of the shortcut properties assigns the working directory for Windows. It will be effective for Qsel, if no other assignments have been made.

Note:

The "?" button (Configuration or General settings) offers opening the data folder in an Explorer window.


Qsel Launcher Window

Selection and launching

Window with large or small icons. Items can be selected with single or double mouse click or keyboard.

Categories

Mouse click on the category title (or Space bar or ALT) offers a popup menu to select another category.

Context menu

Right mouse click (anywhere) opens the context menu for options, configuration and general settings.

System tray

In System Tray mode, the [x] button or the ESC key will close the window, but Qsel is kept in the system tray.

Auto-hide

Qsel can slide beyond the desktop edge when the mouse cursor is moved out of the Qsel window.

Title bar

Qsel windows of all styles and modes will work with or without title bar
(toggle: context menu or F4).

Note: The window you can also be moved by mouse without the title bar.


Selection and Launching

Double or single click (depending on General Settings) on icon or caption.
Keyboard: use cursor or initial letters to select, then Enter.

Large Icons are default. If you select small Icons (» Context Menu), you will get a single or multi column list depending on the window sizing. Separator lines can be used in this mode to produce groups.

After launching, the window may be auto-closed either instantly or with a delay. For details see auto-close option in General Settings.

When closing is delayed: any mouseclick keeps the window open.

Special function: command folder

Ctrl + right mouse click on an item opens the folder of the command path (if available) in an Explorer window.

Special function: Run as administrator

Shift + Ctrl + (left) mouse click on an item runs a program "as administrator".
See also Input fields / Run.


Categories

Mouse click on the Category title will pop up the Category Menu. (This Category menu is also available in the Configuration window and as part of the System Tray menu.)

With the Back Arrow Button you can go back to the categories, that you have already visited.

With the Forward Arrow Button you can step forward through all categories.

Keyboard:

Category menu: Spacebar (off:ESC) or ALT (on/off); see Settings
Back step: Backspace or Shift+TAB
Forward: TAB

In the Category Menu you can use keyboard shortcuts according to the first letter of the menu items (or any other letter denoted by an ampersand, e.g. "My &Tools" in the category name).

Note:

Switching to other category windows is also possible through launcher icons in any launcher window. See Command types.

Special category: Startup

If you create a category with the name "Startup", all items in this category will be launched automatically when Qsel starts.

In case you want to avoid the execution of the Startup items hold down the Ctrl key while Qsel is started, or use the command option /noStartup in the shortcut properties.

The Startup category is not available as launcher window. If you select it in the category menu, the configuration will be opened.


Context Menu

Right mouse click (or Menu key) opens the context menu.

Items:
  • Configuration of launcher items for this category
  • General Settings and start options

    For the current category window:
  • Large Icons? (default:on; off:small Icons)
  • Font
  • Background color

    General:
  • Window title bar? show/hide
  • Semi-transparency? semi-transparent window, see also: Tweaks
  • Info (About: version, author..)
  • Minimize
  • Exit Qsel
Note:

When the file Qsel.ini is write protected, the settings and the configuration are not available.


Window, System tray

System Tray Mode

In System Tray mode (see » General Settings), you see the Qsel icon in the System Tray of the Taskbar. Please check your Taskbar settings to decide whether you want to see the Qsel icon permanently.

In this mode the title bar of the launcher window only has the [x] button, which closes the window, but keeps the Program ready in the system tray. (The ESC key has the same effect.) To exit Qsel use menu or Alt+F4.

Optionally the Tool window mode can be selected (see » General Settings). This prevents Qsel from showing in the regular taskbar when it is active.

- - -

System Tray icon: Left click to show/hide the window, right click for menu.

To show/hide the window you can also define a hotkey (» General Settings).

See also: Auto-hide option.


Tool Window Style

Auto-hide at Desktop edge

Here is an example how Qsel behaves, when Auto-hide is activated (see » General Settings):

If the window touches the right desktop edge, or has been moved partly beyond, it will vanish when the cursor is moved out of the window. Qsel will slide beyond the edge, leaving only a thin line to indicate where it sits. A right mouse click on this line will then get it back, exactly touching the desktop border ("docked").

When the Qsel window does not touch the desktop borders, the auto-hide funktionality is not active.

Desktop edges:

Auto-hide works on all 4 desktop edges, however, a collision with the taskbar should be avoided. When the taskbar is visible, Qsel will not behave as expected.

Slide effect:

Slide speed can be adjusted (1: normal, 2: faster..., 0: no sliding)

Hide with Delay:

When the cursor is moved out, the window hides immediately, unless you have specified an Auto close/hide delay in the General Settings.

Hotkey and Minimizing:

The Qsel hotkey and the SystemTray Icon cooperate with the auto-hide function. However, if you minimize the window by [x] button or Escape, you will have to get it back through the system tray (or by hotkey).


General Settings

  • Running on drive with variable letter (default: as detected)

  • Load at Windows Startup: makes a shortcut in the Startup folder
  • .. hidden: adds /hide option in Startup shortcut
  • Start with category.. (default is "last used")
  • Hide title bar (see context menu; F4)
  • Keep in System Tray
  • Tool window mode (Qsel not in Taskbar)
  • Auto-hide at Desktop edge
  • Slide speed (1: normal, 2: faster..., 0: no sliding)
  • Auto close after launching
  • Auto close/hide delay, also effective for Auto-hide
  • Hotkey to activate Window: brings window to foreground or hides
  • Single click launching (default: off)
  • ALT key for Category menu on/off (default: on)
  • Single column list (in small icons mode)
  • Category window:
    • Keep position of top left/right corner (default: on *)
    • Horizontally centered on Desktop
  • All windows to have.. same width/height/font/background *)
  • Allow drag&drop into launcher window (default:off *)

* Keep top left/right corner:

This means that other category windows will open with the upper left or right corner at the same place (left or right depending on which side of the screen the window is located). The arrow button (to step back) changes position accordingly.

* Same settings:

When these options are activated, the respective properties are copied to other categories, as soon as they are opened. Thus by temporarily activating an option it is possible to copy the properties to specific categories only.

* Drag&drop:

Drag&drop can be used to add new items in the launcher window (like in the Configuration window). Note, however, that new items will be appended at the end of the list. For adjustments open configuration.


Configuration Window

The left window pane lists the launcher items (always with small Icons). This works like the actual launcher window: you can double click (Enter) to test an item, and right click (or Menu key) for the context menu.

For a new category pls. change the default title ("New Category") as you like.

Right part, top:
  • Category button: to select other categories or "New Category"
  • Category Title input box
  • T: configuration window always on top (toggle)
  • ?: Help, Info, data folder
Main section for action and input:
  • Arrows: move the current item up/down (change order)
  • New Item will be added below the current item
  • Separator line added below current item
  • Delete current item (confirmation required)
While you edit a launcher item (» Input fields), the item list is disabled until you click Ok or Cancel.

For the entire Category (bottom):
  • Ok: Save and exit
  • Cancel: with security prompt
  • Apply: Save but do not exit
Notes:

When you create a new category, the settings (incl. colors and font) are taken from the current window as defaults.

A category cannot be empty. If there are no items when you leave the configuration, the category will be removed.


Input Fields

• Item Text for the launcher icon. If this field is left empty, Qsel will suggest a text from the command file name. Click on Icon to select another Icon.

For a separator line the item text must begin with a dash (minus sign, "-"), see below. Separators will only show in Small Icon mode.

• Command that will be launched. Use browse button or drag&drop. The command can be an executable program, a document or a web link. For details see section Command types.

• Parameters (optional): Some programs may accept switches, file names etc.. Enclose file names in quote marks if necessary!

• Directory (optional): By default the directory of the launched program is assumed.

• Run: Select: normal, maximized, minimized, as administrator.

Separator Lines:

An item is a (non-functional) separator, if the command field is empty.
However, this is only accepted, if the item text begins with a dash (which is the identifyer for separators).
For example, this could be a separator:

----- Registry Tools

If the item text is a single dash only, Qsel will expand it to a row of 10 dashes.

Environment Variables:

In the command, parameters and directory fields you can use environment variables enclosed in percent signs, for example:

%windir%\notepad.exe
%ProgramFiles%\tools\Iedit32\IconEdit32.exe

You can get a list of Window's environment variables with the SET command (at the command prompt) or with a little tool that lists the variables in a text window (Download)


Drag&Drop

The easiest way to add new items is by drag&drop from the Windows Explorer or from the Desktop.

Shortcuts are resolved, i.e. the command, as well as parameters (if any) and the initial directory are extracted, and the icon text is taken from the shortcut name.

You can drag&drop programs, documents or folders; web links only from existing shortcuts (for details see Command Types).

Important:

If you drop objects into the item list (left pane), new items will be added under the item at the drop position. The "New Item" button and the confirmation of input data (OK button) are not required in drag&drop mode.

You can also drop an object into the command box (right part of the window). This will overwrite the data for the current item.

Drag&drop into launcher window

Drag&drop is also supported into the launcher window, if this option is activated in the General Settings.


Multiple Items Handling

The Multiple items submenu (Context menu in item list: right mouse click or Menu key) offers operations on one or more items you have selected. Items can be deleted or moved/copied to a temporary category, and then inserted into any other category:
  • Copy to temp category
  • Move to temp category
  • Delete
  • Insert from temp category
  • Clear temp category
Whatever you copy or move will be accumulated in the temp category (file: temp.qsl). Since "temp" is listed in the category menu, you can view, edit or rename the temp category as you like. When you insert these items in any other category, the "temp" category will be cleared.

Note: To split a category move items to temp, then select the temp category and rename it. To merge two categories rename one to "temp", and insert it in the other one.


Keyboard

Configuration Window: Keyboard

The Tab key walks through all controls. Shift+Tab backwards.
F2 to jump directly to the item text input.

Use Space bar to hit buttons or toggle check boxes that have the focus.

Enter = Ok button (if focus on item list: test launch)
F1 for Help

Button shortcuts by Alt + first letter,
Exceptions: Separator with Alt+E, Category button with Ctrl+Space bar

To move an item up/down: Ctrl or Alt + Cursor up/down.


Command Types

The Configuration supports various command types depending on the objects to launch:

  • Programs - executable files (.EXE .CMD or .CPL..)
  • Documents - files with associated application (text, images, sound, etc.)
  • File Lists for further selection through popup menu
  • Web Links to start in your Browser
  • Folders as Explorer window
  • Other Categories - switch to other Category window


Launch: Programs

Command Type: Programs

A command specifies an executable program file (extension EXE, CMD, CPL..).

When the Command box is filled by drag&drop or browse, Qsel will suggest a menu text, if the "Item Text" was left empty.

If the program supports command parameters, they can be specified in the Parameters box. Semicolons are not allowed. File names in the parameter box may require quote marks!

Specify a Directory if you want the program to run in a specific directory, and if this functionality is supported by the program.

Relative Paths:

Usually a command is specified with full path. Relative paths are based on the directory of the Qsel configuration file.

"Naked" commands like Notepad.exe or TaskMgr.exe will be located by the operating system, if not found in the current directory. However this is not recommended, because the icons will not be found. Better use Environment Variables.


Launch: Documents, data files

Command Type: Documents, Data Files

Data files can only be opened if the extension is associated with a program, i.e. if you can double click on this type of file in the Windows Explorer.

For relative paths see Programs

Note that the Parameters and Directory fields are ignored for data files.


Launch: File Selection

Command Type: File Selection

The special command files produces a file list as popup menu, where the item selected by the user will be opened with the default application or with a specified program.

• Item text: indicates what is offered, for example: "Image files"

• Command: files (fixed keyword)
Optional: path of application to open with, separated by space;
the path may be enclosed in quote marks (not mandatory)

• Parameters: search pattern(s), for example: *.htm
Several patterns may be specified, separated by comma.
Example: *.JPG, *.PNG, *.GIF
Option /noExt will list the file names without extensions.

• Directory: Path of files to select
For relative paths see programs

Note: In a search pattern the asterisk (*) stands for any substring, and the question mark stands for any single character.


Launch: Web Links

Command Type: Web Links

Links from your browser can only be obtained by copy&paste.

However, drag&drop works from existing shortcuts (and IE's Favorites, which are also shortcuts).

The Icon is taken from your browser (which requires the file "dummy.htm" in your working directory). You may also define a custom icon.

Also possible: mailto:someone@dot.com.


Launch: Folders (Explorer)

Command Type: Folders (Explorer)

A launcher item can open an Explorer Window in different modes.

Leave the Command field empty, and select a directory (browse or drag&drop). Qsel decides that you want an Explorer window, and inserts "Explorer.exe" in the command field.

Qsel then offers two checkboxes to control the Explorer parameters:

• split window for a window with directory tree
• as root to exclude everything outside the chosen directory


Launch: Other Category

Command Type: Other Category

Other Qsel Category windows can be configured as a special command with any item text and Icon. This will not load another instance of the program.
Command: | Qsel (without path!)
Parameters: | Name of other category
Case ignored.

Note:

When you double click on such an item in the configuration window, the configuration of the other category will be opened directly, closing the current configuration. Please watch the prompt (Save?).


Tweaks

INI File Tweaks

Some special settings can only be set directly in the INI file. This file is in Qsel's data folder, which is the program folder by default. See also: Installation.

Open the file Qsel.ini with a text editor while Qsel is not running. Locate the [Main] section to add or modify an item. For details see following pages.


Program Icon, Web link Icon

These extra Icons can be defined in the INI file, section [Main]:

• ProgIcon = (Icon file path)

The program icon is visible after Qsel is started (Title bar, System tray).

• WebIcon = (Icon file path)

Icon for all web links. Default icon is the browser's Icon which requires the file "dummy.htm" in the working directory.

Note:

If the icon source is a DLL file, add the index number, separated by comma. Example:

ProgIcon = MyIcons.DLL,12


Icon spacing

Icon spacing (for large icons)

The icon spacing defines the rectangle occupied by each icon (including caption). Width and the height (pixels) can be specified in the INI file:

Section [Main]:
• IconSpacing= (width,height comma separated)

Example:
• IconSpacing= 80,75

The minimum spacing is 65,65. The default depends on the Windows version, and will apply if no IconSpacing statement is found in the INI file.


Program title

The program title, as shown in the title bar (default "Qsel"), can be changed in the INI file, section [Main]:

• ProgTitle = (desired name)

Environt variables can be used in the ProgTitle specification.


Transparency

The semi-transparency (see context menu) can be fine-tuned in the INI file, section [Main]:

• Alpha = (value)

Default value is 190. Values in the range 150..230 are accepted (test to see the effect). Note that the entire window (incl. icons) will be semi-transparent.

Special feature (Windows 7 only):
The value 0 (zero) makes the background fully transparent.

Note: To avoid a "click-through" effect the background color (though not visible) must not be grey, white or black, i.e the r/g/b values must not be exactly the same.