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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General questions about CyberLauncher features, configuration, and troubleshooting.

General

What is CyberLauncher?

CyberLauncher is a full-screen, cyberpunk-themed application launcher for Windows. It replaces the traditional Start Menu with a fast, keyboard-driven interface featuring fuzzy search and system-wide file indexing.

Is CyberLauncher free?

Yes. CyberLauncher is completely free and open source under the GPLv3 license. There are no paid features, ads, or tracking. You can help keep it free here.

Does CyberLauncher replace the Windows Start Menu?

No. CyberLauncher runs alongside the Start Menu. You can use both — press Alt+Shift+L for CyberLauncher and Win for Start Menu.

Does CyberLauncher work offline?

Yes. CyberLauncher works fully offline. Only auto-update checks require internet.

Search & Launch

How does fuzzy search work?

Fuzzy search matches results even with imperfect typing. For example, "chr" matches "Chrome", "Chroma", etc. Results are ranked by relevance and usage frequency.

Can I launch UWP (Windows Store) apps?

Yes. CyberLauncher scans for UWP apps, extracts their icons, and launches them via AUMID. Enable UWP scanning in Settings → UWP.

What is Console Mode?

Type > in the search box to execute shell commands directly. For example, > notepad opens Notepad.

Can I run apps as administrator?

Yes. Right-click an app → Run as administrator. You can also configure per-app admin mode.

How do I add custom files or folders?

Drag and drop .exe or .lnk files from Explorer onto the launcher. For folders, add them to authorized folders in Indexer settings.

Indexer

What is the file indexer?

The indexer crawls your directories to build a searchable database of files. It supports configurable depth, system drives, and custom folders.

Does indexing slow down my computer?

Indexing runs in the background with minimal impact. You can disable system drive indexing or reduce scan depth for better performance.

How do I add folders to index?

Go to Settings → Indexer → Authorized Folders. Add any folder you want indexed.

Can I index hidden folders?

Yes. Enable "Hidden folders" in Settings → Indexer to include dotfiles and hidden directories.

Activation

What are hot corners?

Hot corners activate the launcher when you move your cursor to a screen corner. Configure in Settings → General → Hotspots.

Can I change the global shortcut?

Yes. Go to Settings → General and click the shortcut field, then press your desired combination.

How does multi-monitor work?

Choose to show the launcher on a specific monitor or "Follow cursor" to show it wherever your cursor is.

Customization

Can I use my own background image?

Yes. Go to Settings → Appearance, select Image background, and choose your image file or enter a URL.

How do I change the UI scale?

Go to Settings → Appearance and adjust the UI scale (0.8× to 1.4×).

Can I switch between English and Spanish?

Yes. Go to Settings → General → Language and select English or Spanish.

System Monitoring

What system stats are shown?

The sidebar shows real-time RAM, CPU, and disk usage. The Storage HUD shows free space on all drives.

What is the Scheduler?

The Scheduler lets you schedule app launches or commands to run after a countdown. Useful for delayed actions.

Troubleshooting

The launcher doesn't appear

  • Check if CyberLauncher is running (system tray)
  • Try the global shortcut again
  • Check if the shortcut conflicts with another app

The global shortcut doesn't work

  • Some apps may capture the shortcut first
  • Try a different key combination
  • Run CyberLauncher as administrator

Apps are not showing in search

  • Check if the indexer is enabled
  • Verify authorized folders include your apps
  • Rebuild the indexer

UWP apps are missing

  • Enable UWP scanning in Settings → UWP
  • Click "Import UWP apps" to trigger a scan

High memory usage

  • Reduce indexer scan depth
  • Disable system drive indexing
  • Clear icon cache

Contributing

How can I report a bug?

Open an issue on GitHub Issues with:

  • CyberLauncher version
  • Windows version
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Expected vs actual behavior

How can I contribute code?

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create a feature branch
  3. Submit a pull request
  4. Describe your changes in the PR description

How can I help with translations?

UI strings are in src/locales.ts. Submit a PR with your translation.

How can I donate?

See the Donate section on the main README.