[didadocom]

Hello

I want to install a shortcut in Start Menu in Windows XP of all the "Hidden" applications that are not installed by default and that are disseminated in various locations inside Windows, for example: Direct X Diagnosis (C:\WINDOWS\system32\dxdiag.exe)

There is software created by particulars that do that:
- XP Hidden Application Launcher (23 applications) by Rizla (portable)
- XP Hidden Application Interface v1.0 (24 applications) by Craig Longford (installer)
- XP Hidden Application Enabler v2.0 (44 applications) by Serials2000 Rocks Team (portable)
- Matt’s System Helper Outer v0.52 (8 applications) (portable)

And by companies:
- Camtech Hidden Utilities XP-Vista v1.0 (53 applications + 43 command line utilities) (total 96) (portable) Free
- Camtech Hidden Utilities XP-Vista v2.0 (81 applications + 130 command line utilities) (total 211) (installer) U$S 19.95

My problem is that it is in English (I need it in Spanish) and non of them is complete with all that has inside Windows XP. The same can be applied to Windows Vista and 7.

I know that I can made it manually with shortcuts and links to some Folder in Start Menu > Programs > (example: HiddenApps), but is there a batch file that I can make?

Many thanks

[Yzöwl]

If you provide the Topic with a full list of the applications you wish to have shortcuts for, their location, the names you wish to have allocated to them and the intended destination of those shortcuts, then I think you'll have a better chance of someone helping you out.

Another idea is to ask one or more of the authors of the many applications you've found to create a 'Spanish' version.

[didadocom]

Yzöwl, on 11 July 2010 - 10:27 PM, said:

If you provide the Topic with a full list of the applications you wish to have shortcuts for, their location, the names you wish to have allocated to them and the intended destination of those shortcuts, then I think you'll have a better chance of someone helping you out.

Another idea is to ask one or more of the authors of the many applications you've found to create a 'Spanish' version.

Some of them are very old (2002, etc.) doesn't have a web page and where made I think as a project. I found them only by a long search in Internet. I can make it in english and spanish. I only need a basic indication on how. Of course I will publish as a download here.

For example:
Name: Direct X Diagnosis
Location: C:\WINDOWS\system32\dxdiag.exe
Destination: Start > Programs > Hidden Applications > Direct X Diagnosis
Icon: the same it has

[Yzöwl]

You suggested that you wanted all of them not just one, I can give you a single shortcut or you can use shortcut.exe or some other third party utility to create your own , but I'm guessing that's not what you want, is it?

Either provide a full list or we cannot be expected to help you.

[didadocom]

Yzöwl, on 12 July 2010 - 05:14 AM, said:

You suggested that you wanted all of them not just one, I can give you a single shortcut or you can use shortcut.exe or some other third party utility to create your own , but I'm guessing that's not what you want, is it?

Either provide a full list or we cannot be expected to help you.

Yes. I have not yet prepared the list, but I think one example is enough. Can it be?

[Yzöwl]

You asked for it, so here it is, an .inf file:

[Version]
Signature	= "$Windows NT$"

[DefaultInstall]
ProfileItems	= HidAppGrp, DxDiagShtCut

[HidAppGrp]
Name		= Hidden Applications, 4

[DxDiagShtCut]
CmdLine		= 11, , dxdiag.exe
Infotip		= "Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool"
Name		= DirectX Diagnosis
SubDir		= Hidden Applications
WorkingDir	= 53

[didadocom]

Yzöwl, on 13 July 2010 - 06:58 AM, said:

You asked for it, so here it is, an .inf file:

[Version]
Signature	= "$Windows NT$"

[DefaultInstall]
ProfileItems	= HidAppGrp, DxDiagShtCut

[HidAppGrp]
Name		= Hidden Applications, 4

[DxDiagShtCut]
CmdLine		= 11, , dxdiag.exe
Infotip		= "Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool"
Name		= DirectX Diagnosis
SubDir		= Hidden Applications
WorkingDir	= 53

But can I use it as a .cmd file?

[Yzöwl]

No you cannot use it as a .cmd file, (because it isn't one). If you have a need to install it via a command line as opposed to invoking it directly, (perhaps with a double click), then that option is available. It could therefore be run from a batch file by invoking that command line within that script.

The information for doing this is readily available in multiple instances throughout this Forum and further afield.

Once you've prepared, completed and posted your full list, I may be in a better position however to provide you with this additional information.

[didadocom]

I will do the homework.

Meantime I tried with "shortcut.exe" and it works only if it creates first a folder (md).

Quote

@echo off
echo Creating Shortcut
echo.
:: Create Folder
md "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications"
:: Create Shortcut
shortcut /f:"%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications\Direct X Diagnosis.lnk" /a:c /t:"C:\WINDOWS\system32\dxdiag.exe"
:: Done!

But if I want to place in: "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Start Menu\XP Hidden Applications\Direct X Diagnosis.lnk" without building first a folder nothing happens...

What I am doing wrong?

Attached File(s)

•  Shortcut.zip (23.67K)
  Number of downloads: 12

This post has been edited by didadocom: 13 July 2010 - 09:52 PM

[Yzöwl]

You should create the directory first, there's nothing wrong with doing that.

@Echo off
If Not Exist "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications" (
    Md "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications")
Echo=Creating Shortcut&Echo=
Shortcut...

[didadocom]

Yzöwl, on 14 July 2010 - 05:09 AM, said:

You should create the directory first, there's nothing wrong with doing that.

@Echo off
If Not Exist "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications" (
    Md "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications")
Echo=Creating Shortcut&Echo=
Shortcut...

I have done it. It does not appear in the Desktop, but if I search in Documents and Settings\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications\ it is!

What is happening?

Besides this I want to place the shortcut in: Start Menu\XP Hidden Applications\Direct X Diagnosis

[Yzöwl]

didadocom, on 15 July 2010 - 01:09 PM, said:

I have done it. It does not appear in the Desktop, but if I search in Documents and Settings\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications\ it is!

What is happening?

Besides this I want to place the shortcut in: Start Menu\XP Hidden Applications\Direct X Diagnosis

I have no idea what is happening because I cannot see your exact batch file!

Incidentally, the .inf file I've already provided you with creates your required shortcut, DirectX Diagnosis.lnk, inside %AllUsersProfile%\StartMenu\Programs\Hidden Applications.

[Mim0]

didadocom, on 15 July 2010 - 01:09 PM, said:

... It does not appear in the Desktop, but if I search in Documents and Settings\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications\ it is!...

The subfolder for the user is missing:

Documents and Settings\<User>\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications\

This post has been edited by Mim0: 15 July 2010 - 10:49 PM

[didadocom]

Quote

The subfolder for the user is missing:

Documents and Settings\<User>\Desktop\XP Hidden Applications\

The above doesn't work. I have found that this: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% works!

Now I want to add a commentary-explanation to each shortcut as Windows has them and is shown in a baloon in light yellow.

For example: Notepad: Create and modify text files using basic text formatting

Where goes this information?

[Yzöwl]

didadocom, on 17 July 2010 - 08:19 PM, said:

Now I want to add a commentary-explanation to each shortcut as Windows has them and is shown in a baloon in light yellow.

For example: Notepad: Create and modify text files using basic text formatting

Where goes this information?

In my provided .inf file it is shown as a quoted string under infotip.

If you're still talking about using OptimumX's shortcut.exe did you look at the syntax/parameter list provided in the ReadMe.txt and try:

/D:description : Defines the description (or comment) for the shortcut.

[didadocom]

Ok. It is working!

I am creating a batch file with all the hidden application that are not installed by default in Windows XP. I am using OptimumX's shortcut.exe When I finish I will add it here.

Now I want to do the same thing with all Command Lines, but it doesn't work.
It gives me two types of errors:

With this line:

Quote

shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Append.lnk" /a:c

System error 3 has ocurred.

With this:

Quote

shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Append.lnk" /a:c /t:"C:\WINDOWS\system32\append.exe"

System error -2147467259 has ocurred.

What is happening? Or I must use another system?

[Yzöwl]

didadocom, on 21 July 2010 - 10:17 AM, said:

Ok. It is working!

I am creating a batch file with all the hidden application that are not installed by default in Windows XP. I am using OptimumX's shortcut.exe When I finish I will add it here.

Now I want to do the same thing with all Command Lines, but it doesn't work.
It gives me two types of errors:

With this line:

Quote

shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Append.lnk" /a:c

System error 3 has ocurred.

With this:

Quote

shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Append.lnk" /a:c /t:"C:\WINDOWS\system32\append.exe"

System error -2147467259 has ocurred.

What is happening? Or I must use another system?

The first error example is because you are using the wrong parameters.

You are asking the application to create, (/a:c), a shortcut but have not provided it with a target for that shortcut, (/t:).

The second example returns to one of your previous posts.

You are asking for a shortcut to be created inside a location which does not exist, (\Command Lines).

You need to firstly 'make the directory' for the location of that shortcut.

[didadocom]

Quote

The first error example is because you are using the wrong parameters.

You are asking the application to create, (/a:c), a shortcut but have not provided it with a target for that shortcut, (/t:).

The second example returns to one of your previous posts.

You are asking for a shortcut to be created inside a location which does not exist, (\Command Lines).

You need to firstly 'make the directory' for the location of that shortcut.

I know. The directory was created and it appears in the location where I want to add the shortcuts, but when I want to add the target and link (THE ABOVE TWO EXAMPLES) it gives this errors.

I used the same indications that worked perfect in the first batch.

Here is the code:

If Not Exist "%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Accesories\Command Line" (
Md "%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Accesories\Command Line")

::PING
shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Accesories\Command Line\Ping.lnk" /a:c /t:"C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /k ping"

[Yzöwl]

didadocom, on 21 July 2010 - 10:17 AM, said:

Quote

shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Append.lnk" /a:c /t:"C:\WINDOWS\system32\append.exe"

System error -2147467259 has ocurred.

didadocom, on 21 July 2010 - 09:56 PM, said:

If Not Exist "%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Accesories\Command Line" (
Md "%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Accesories\Command Line")

::PING
shortcut /f:"%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Start\Programs\Accesories\Command Line\Ping.lnk" /a:c /t:"C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /k ping"

The error message you were receiving was because the intended shortcut location does not exist!
\Command Lines vs \Command Line

The example you've given is also wrong!

On my current Vista PC, the following would do as you require

shortcut /f:"%userprofile%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Ping.lnk" /a:c /t:"%systemroot%\system32\cmd.exe" /p:"/k ping"

However using the Syntax suggested in the ReadMe.txt file you'd need this:

shortcut /f:"%userprofile%\Start\Programs\Command Lines\Ping.lnk" /a:c /t:"^%systemroot^%\system32\cmd.exe" /p:"/k ping"

Depending upon how you invoke the command and you particular system you may need to choose either one of the two!

[didadocom]

OK, it works with PING.

But not with APPEND or ATTRIB (I have tried only this two):

/t:"%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\cmd.exe" /p:"/k append"

In this example I want that the Command Line open a DOS windows with the Command Prompt APPEND with the explanation of what it is and help lines (/?) to this command.

Attached is the example.

Attached File(s)

•  append.jpg (41.17K)
  Number of downloads: 7

This post has been edited by didadocom: 22 July 2010 - 08:27 AM