🧩 Start-Applications.ps1

📖 Overview

Start-Applications.ps1 is a lightweight PowerShell script that allows you to quickly launch one or more desktop applications from a single command or shortcut.

It’s particularly useful if you have a daily workflow and want to open several programs (e.g., Obsidian, Outlook, VS Code, etc.) all at once with a single click.

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🚀 Features

• Launches multiple applications automatically
• Uses a configuration file (config.json) for easy customization
• Validates each path before launching
• Displays color-coded messages for status and errors
• Closes automatically after successful execution

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🧠 Requirements

• Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7+
• Permission to run PowerShell scripts (Execution Policy)
• Applications you want to launch installed locally

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⚙️ Setup

1. Clone or download this repository

git clone https://github.com/len360/Scripts.git

2. Create your configuration file

Create a file named config.json in the same folder as the script.

Example:

{
  "applications": [
    "C:\\Users\\Lenny\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\obsidian\\Obsidian.exe",
    "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\OUTLOOK.EXE"
  ]
}

💡 Do not commit this file to Git — it contains your personal paths. Add it to your .gitignore:

config.json

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▶️ Usage

You can run the script directly from PowerShell:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Path\To\Start-Applications.ps1"

Or create a desktop shortcut that points to:

C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle Hidden -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Path\To\Start-Applications.ps1"

This allows you to start all your favorite applications silently with one double-click.

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🧩 Example Output

🚀 Launching: Obsidian.exe
🚀 Launching: OUTLOOK.EXE

✅ Script execution completed.