Hello,

I have created an application which can be used as an alternative for the Windows default RunOnceEx. It works almost the same, and by default, it looks like this...


...but you can customize every text and every image. You can even set the text font!

It's pretty easy to let it look a little 'older':


Or to let it look more like Windows XP:


Download installer (Version 1.6, Jan 24, 2008)
(To run it silent: RunOnceEx.exe /verysilent)
NOTE: If the installer runs silent, it automatically begins installing your applications (if you have added any; see below).

VERSION HISTORY

Version 1.6 (Build 31)
- Removed auto-adding of Registry values for debugging.

Version 1.5 (Build 30)
- Fixed issue which occured when using multiple windows
- Added a so called 'Easer Egg'.......

Version 1.4 (Build 25)
- Bug fix

Version 1.3 (Build 22)
- Added support for multiple RunOnceEx windows

Version 1.2 (Build 18)
- Added some new icons: $VISTA5-8, $XP3-7

Version 1.1 (Build 14)
- Vista fix
- Fix in recreating RunOnce values

Version 1.0 (Build 10)
- First public release

USAGE
Just like RunOnceEx, but all entry's must be stored in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx, not in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx!

To use multiple RunOnceEx windows (e.g. for multiple groups of applications), store the properties of the secound window in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx2, the third in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx3...

Example RunOnceEx.cmd file:


The italic part adds the installer of my RunOnceEx application to the RunOnce key. If you forget this, it will not work!

Added registry entry's:
TEXT: The text above the list of applications. Default: Please wait while Windows installs...
FONT: The text font.
PNG: The installation icon. Value can be a path to a PNG image (e.g. %systemdrive%\installer.png, best use a size between 32x32 and 48x48), or one of the following constants (italic constants are added in version 1.2):


PNG_arrow: The arrow icon. Value can be a path to a PNG image (best use a size of 16x16 or less) or one of the following constants:


PNG_success: The success icon. Value can be a path to a PNG image (best use a size of 16x16 or less) or one of the following constants:


Download list of constants as Word Document

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

This post has been edited by RubySoftware: Jan 24 2008, 01:18 PM

Looks nice, will give it a try

Note: If you have set more than 18 tasks, a scrollbar will appear in the window. At that maximum size, the window does not fit on a 800x600 screen anymore.

Very cool! I'll also try this out. Right now I'm using Mars Installer though.

Important: I found out that it doesn't work with Vista, because of administrator rights. Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

Nevermind, I found out myself. Now updated to version 1.1! See first post.

This post has been edited by RubySoftware: Jan 18 2008, 03:46 AM

Is the only difference between your app and the standard RunOnceEx is that yours is customizable? If not, what are the other differences? Just curious.

Yes. Otherwise I wouldn't call it 'Alternative RunOnceEx'.

And that mine creates a scrollbar when there are too many tasks.

This post has been edited by RubySoftware: Jan 18 2008, 04:40 AM

Great - it's cool man.

I'll give it a try.

Very nice well do so testing

I'm now making a script creator for this. It will create a RunOnceEx.cmd file (and will also work with Windows RunOnceEx).

I'm due to make a new dvd, so i'll give this a whirl.
Thank you

Anybody know where this installs to, i cant find it?

This post has been edited by zakum: Jan 19 2008, 12:11 PM

%systemroot%\system32\RunOnceEx.exe (Marked as system file, so you don't find it in Windows Explorer, just like the dllcache folder)

If you want to uninstall it: Use my Alternative RunOnceEx uninstaller, available here.

This post has been edited by RubySoftware: Jan 19 2008, 01:48 PM

I have just updated it. The new version 1.3 adds support for multiple windows.

I just installed it the clicked on the exe in sys32 and nothing happens?

'Something' must be added to the registry first.

This is awesome, great job mate.

I have one problem, I noticed when my apps were installing one tried to uninstall, meaning it was already installed, I did not think anything of it untill my next test and I dragged the window and there was an identical one behind it, so I have two of the same windows installing the same stuff.

I have looked around but have no idea why this would happen any idea's ?

Thanks

Sull

EDIT: I notice in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\run I see RunOnceEX.exe /r why is this here ?

This post has been edited by Sull: Jan 21 2008, 03:31 AM

That will add the RunOnceEx to the RunOnce key again. But it might also install the applications again. I'll try to fix the problem.

Edit: It should be fixed now.

This post has been edited by RubySoftware: Jan 21 2008, 07:17 AM

I will test and report back

Thanks

EDIT: I am not sure if it was to do with the last bug, I am not very familiar with RunOnceEX, how would I install some apps from RunOnceEX, reboot then start some more apps from the same spot ?

This post has been edited by Sull: Jan 21 2008, 10:25 AM

That's usually not possible, as the application entry's are deleted at the end of application runs, but you can add a .bat or .cmd file to the RunOnceEx2 key, which adds the new applications to the RunOnceEx key, but this will show a secound RunOnceEx window after the first (because you use the RunOnceEx2 key).

Yeah I actually got confused, I do not need to restart, I do need to run more than one window though

To run more than one window I would just add the RunOnceEX2.cmd to the end of RunOnceEX.cmd correct ?

I did not have time to test before work, I will continue testing tonight.

Thanks for the help and the great app.