An app launcher lets you’re able to add shortcuts for opening programs, folders, and files.
There are numerous desktop app launchers for Windows 10 and 11.
Such launchers typically have a rectangular or square shape.
However, Circle Dock is an app launcher with a difference.
As its title implies, Circle Dock is an app launcher that has a unique circular ring shape.
The launcher takes up less horizontal desktop space due to its circular design.
This is how you might add Circle Dock to Windows and configure that launcher.
Its freely available GPL software thats straightforward to install.
However, youll need to extract the software from its ZIP archive before installing it.
Left-click that dock and hold the mouse button to move the app launcher anywhere on the desktop.
Its best to move it to a space where it wont overlap any icons.
To do so, drag shortcuts onto the Circle Dock launcher by holding the left mouse button.
Shortcuts added will disappear from the desktop and appear on the launcher.
Software shortcuts are a great way to quickly open your favorite apps.
To add new software shortcuts, right-click Circle Dock and selectAdd.
Select theFile, folder, or special itemoption to view the window directly below.
Click theFilebutton, choose an EXE file to include on Circle Dock, and select theOpenoption.
Then selectFinishedto add the software to the app launcher with a default name and icon.
Circle Dock has a nice folder stack feature that displays a stack of subfolders and files for directory shortcuts.
you could add one by right-clicking Circle Dock and selectingAdd>Folderstack.
Choose a folder and clickOK.
SelectOKon the “Create new Folder Stack” window.
Now youll see a folder stack icon on Circle Dock.
tap the folder to expand its stack, like in the snapshot below.
Then you could access all a folders files or subfolders from the stack.
How to Customize the Docks Appearance
Circle Dock is stuffed with loads of customization controls.
TheElementstab in the Circle Dock Configuration controls window includes most options for customizing the app launchers appearance.
To get there, right-click Circle Dock and selectDock prefs>Elements.
TheBackgroundsubtab inElementsincludes options for changing the rings width (size) and transparency level.
Drag theNormal Sizebars slider right or left to make the ring bigger or smaller.
Dragging theOpacitybars slider left will add transparency to the dock.
you’ve got the option to also change the ring style from theBackgroundsubtab.
Press theBackground Imageoption’s file selection button.
Choose a background file and clickOpento add it.
Select theCentre Buttontab and clickImage; snag the file selection button for theCenter Button Imageoption.
Select an alternative center button and clickOpen.
TheOpacity and Sizetab for the center button includes options for customizing the size and transparency of that feature.
Drag the sliders for theOpacityandNormalsize bars to adjust transparency and resize the center button.
it’s possible for you to also customize the labels for shortcuts.
Press thefontbutton just above the color option to customize the text style.
The “Font style” window includes font, formatting, and size options for the docks shortcut labels.
How to Change the Docks Shape
TheDock Shapetab includes options for adjusting the circles height and width.
To change the docks shape, click theEllipse 1setting and drag theHeightand theWidthbars sliders.
There isnt any option to restore the circles default shape.
So, consider noting down the original values before changing the shape.
Select theCircleoption on theShapedrop-down menu.
Then drag the slider for theMinimum Radiusbar.
So, the dock reappears wherever you place your mouse cursor on the desktop.
you might customize that hotkey from theVisibilitytab on Circle Docks configs window.
Select theCtrl,Alt,Shift, orWincheckboxes for theToggle Visibility Hotkeyoption to expand theF1keyboard shortcut.
Or select an extra key for the hotkey on theNonedrop-down menu.
you’re free to configure Circle Dock to appear when you move your cursor to a screen edge.
Click theShow Docksubtab to view checkboxes for theShow Dock When I Move My Mouse tooption.
Its a customizable app launcher that doesnt take up too much desktop space thanks to its circular shape.
TheF1hotkey for showing the dock where youve placed the cursor is also a convenient access feature.
