Metro Launch

Metro Launch is a lightweight software application designed specifically for Windows 7 users that want to place a Windows 8-like Start screen on their desktop without having to upgrade to the newer OS version.

Portable running mode

This is a portable utility that brings several benefits to your system. You can bypass the installation process and run the tool by simply opening the executable file.
In addition, you may copy it on any USB flash drives or other portable devices and uninstall it by deleting the files that you have grabbed from the Internet. It doesn’t store entries in your Windows registry and leave other configuration files in your system.

Simplistic looks

As soon as you run it, Metro Launch automatically reveals the Windows 8-like Start screen on your desktop. You cannot find a help manual included in the package but you can tweak the dedicated parameters on your own because they look easy to work with.

Configuration settings

The application gives you the possibility to create multiple tiles with customizable size options. You can assign a program or file to each tile so you can quickly launch the target process.
What’s more, you are offered the freedom to pin items, activate a Lock screen, adjust the background color of the Start and Lock screen, check out the name of the current user, and delete files from the screen. Last but not least, you can change the looks of the Start and Lock screens by importing custom images from your computer (JPG, BMP, GIF, or PNG file format).
On the downside, we have encountered several bugs during our tests which closed the program. The generated tiles cannot be dragged and dropped to the desired location so they have a fixed position. Metro Launch does not eat up a lot of CPU and memory resources so it does not hamper your computer's performance.

Final words

All things considered, Metro Launch disappoints in terms of functionality and looks. It needs several enhancements until it could be called a reliable file/program launcher.