Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

[Major_Moe]

I recently downloaded this great software (trial version) and think it would be great for my company's presentations. I have sent a detailed report to "the powers that be" about purchasing the current version and really hope that they take my suggestion.

In a short time I have pretty much mastered my way around the interface. Something that I did notice tho however was that there was no simple quick and easy way that I could find for me to copy a shortcut from an AutoPlay Menu CD to the currently logged on users QuickLaunch Bar.

I've pretty much looked everywhere in the forum for a clue as to how to do this, to no avail. I have some shortcuts to some files that are on every users harddrives in the same place. I want to put a shortcut (already created the shortcuts and included them in the Distribution Folder) into the currently logged on users QuickLaunch Bar. But I am having problems finding out how to tell AMS to locate the currently logged on users QuickLaunch Bar.

Once I can tell AMS how to locate that, I can easily copy the required shortcuts to the QuickLaunch Bar. Any suggestions? Is this maybe a feature that is not allowed in the trial version?

It would be great if there was a %Variable% to locate the currently logged on users Local Settings folder (C:\Documents and Settings\<Current User>\Local Settings) as this folder also contains a folder for Temporary Internet Files (cache), History, and the main "Temp" folder that a lot of programs decompress (unzip) to. Upon completion of a project you could then tell AMS to clean out the "Temp" folder of any install files that you may have created while doing an install.

Yes, I know that AMS is not the "perfect" solution for doing an install of software and that I should be using SetUp Factory for that. But, the main project that I was investigating this for, is best done with AMS and as an aside, I can install a few necessary things with AMS using the File-Copy feature.

After reading for the past two days all the posts in this forum, if Corey or Worm can't come up with a suggestion on how this can be done, then I know it can't be done with AMS. I feel that I know everyone like close friends or next-door neighbors from reading all of the banter back and forth from early 2001 to present. You guys rock!!! LOL

P.S. And oh, by the way....I am using AMS v.4.something (trial version) and Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1 and all current hotfixes and that will also be the target system. Hope I've explained this completely and well...I do so hate it when I read the posts that people don't really explain the problem well and you guys have to guess at a solution. LOL

Well, that's it. Thanking you all in advance for your wonderful software and the help that you all give the new people (like me) in this forum. I've learned a lot from reading every post for the past two years...in the past two days.

Respectfully Submitted,

Majoe_Moe
[email protected]
Certified Computer Tech &amp; Consultant

Oh yeah, such a long post and I'm a newbie here, so no fancy user pic and no sig. Kinda sucks, but gotta keep working, no time for the little things in life right now (heavy sigh).

[Worm]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

The Quick Launch folder is in the Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer folder.

Use this DLL to get the AppData folder and append the Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick launch to it. Put a shortcut in this folder and you should be all set.

[Major_Moe]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

You advised "Use this DLL". Well, I looked everywhere for a link to one as I have seen so many times in the past for DLL's or Examples. But alas, I can't find one.

If you mean the "GetFolders.DLL", I downloaded and tested it out two days ago. But I don't really know how that is going to help me out in my application. "I" knew where the folder was. But how do I tell AMS where that folder is for the <Currently LoggedOn User> with your dll file, and then move the two pre-created shortcuts from the final burn CD to that folder? (Perhaps a snippet of your famous example code?)

That's why i suggested a built-in %Variable% for the <Currently LoggedOn User> or at least a few for some of the very important folders under <Currently LoggedOn User>. With Windows XP storing more and more data under a "per-user" methodology, the <Currently LoggedOn User> folders are becoming increasingly important.

Thanks for your quick reply, I knew either you or Corey would have an answer to this in no time. Looking forward to your next post so that I can complete this task, then impress the higher ups and make them buy this great software.


Respectfully Submitted,

Majoe_Moe
[email protected]
Certified Computer Tech &amp; Consultant

[Worm]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

Oops, sorry about that. I did mean to link to the GetFolders.DLL project.

Anyhow, here is a sample app that will do what you are looking to do.
Download

[Worm]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

The GetFolders.DLL will return many of the "Special Folders", it simply depends on what number you pass it. In this case, we're looking for Application Data, so we pass it a 26 to get the location of the currently logged in users AppData folder.

Here is a list of the ones that I know.
Desktop = 0
StartMenu_Programs = 2
My_Documents = 5
Favorites = 6
Startup = 7
Recent = 8
SentTo = 9
Start Menu = 11
Windows Desktop = 16
Network Neighborhood = 19
Fonts = 20
ShellNew = 21
AllUsers Desktop = 25
ApplicationData = 26
Printhood = 27
TemporaryInternetFiles = 32
Cookies = 33
History = 34

[Major_Moe]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

Yes, I've seen it, and tried out your example project. Altered it to have a few additional "Buttons" and emulated your action codes from your other "Buttons". One for "SendTo" folder (9) and Application Data Folder (26), both of which I would like to copy some pre-made shortcuts to in this project.

But ok, other than bringing up a pretty message dialog box telling me the path to that folder, how is that going to help me send a shortcut which is on the final burn CD in the Distribution folder to the <CurrentlyLoggedOn Users> QuickLaunch Bar or SendTo area? I know I'm not dense, but I'm just not seeing this. Am I maybe making it harder for myself than it actually is?

If I copy your "Actions Commands" from the two "Buttons" that I require, all I get is the Message Box Popup that tells me where the folder is. And that still doesn't get AMS any closer to copying the two shortcuts that have into the QuickLaunch Bar. I'm baffled.

It stands to reason that if the design team at IR considered the %Desktop% important enough to include in AMS that they should have included a variable for %QuickLaunch% as well. With the ever increasingly beautiful creations of "Designer" destops that are becoming available at web sites such as ThemeXP, etc., more and more users are moving the clutter of destop icons to their QuickLaunch Bar rather than have them cover up their destops. Microsoft Windows XP even ships with a program that takes this into consideration and cleans the desktop of unused shortcuts every 60 days with the "Desktop Cleanup Wizard". So why this important variable wasn't included is a mystery to me.

Again, thanks for all your help so far and please guide me the final few steps in completing this project. I am forever grateful.

Respectfully Submitted,


Majoe_Moe
[email protected]
Certified Computer Tech &amp; Consultant

[Worm]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

Download

Download this sample. It puts a shortcut in the Quick Launch bar.

BTW, it's the same sample I posted 2 msgs ago [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Worm]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

Something to think about with your shortcuts.

You've stated that the Shortcuts are pre-made. If they are pointing to information on the CD, that won't work on all systems. The CDs drive letter will certainly be different on systems. You might be better off creating them dynamically.

Any, just a thought

[Major_Moe]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

I am truly humbled before greatness!!! YOU DA MAN!!! I tried that latest bit and it worked like a charm. I looked into the "Actions" you had set in there and like, WOW. I had to s-l-o-w-l-y read thru it to see just what it was doing. You are truly a coding guru and I thank you for your help on working this out. I would never have thought of that, but I can see it clearly now. Duh!!!

As far as the shortcuts are concerned: I have an identically laid out Windows XP Professional machine here that I am creating this CD with ( except the target machines don't have CD-RW capabilities). I created the shortcuts on my desktop, moved them to my QuickLaunch folder, ensured that they worked, then copied them to the Distribution folder which will be burned onto the CD. They point to files on the hard drive which will be in the same location as they are on the machine that I am creating this project on. So, unless I'm drastically mistaken, they should work on ALL target machines as they are identical to the one the CD will be created on. N'est pas? < French for "Shouldn't it"?>

Using your original example and this last bit, I will create on the target machines 2 shortcuts that Management wants the users to have in their QuickLaunch Toolbar and 1 in their SendTo menu. ( Special Folder #9) and will let you know how this thing all turns out.

I'm not getting paid anything extra for creating this little gem for "The Powers That Be", but if I was, you are certainly entitled to the lion's share of it. I was able to work everything else out in just two short days of working with AMS. But you REALLY know this program inside and out. I have learned a great deal from you and all of this. I like this software a great deal. I think that I am going to have to break down and purchase a copy of this as well or perhaps persuade Management that I absolutely have to have a copy of my own to make me work better. It's worth every penny.

Again, thanks for your help with this. I'll let you know how the project turns out as soon as I know.


Respectfully Submitted,


Majoe_Moe
[email protected]
Certified Computer Tech &amp; Consultant

[Worm]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

Glad to help.

Hopefully you can persuade those that need to be that AMS is a definate tool that needs to be in everyone arsenal.

Best of luck.

[Turge]

Re: Newbie Question - Shortcuts To QuickLaunch

FYI.. I created a loop to try 1-100 and these were my results:


1 -
2 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Start Menu\Programs
3 -
4 -
5 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\My Documents
6 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Favorites
7 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
8 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Recent
9 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\SendTo
10 -
11 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Start Menu
12 -
13 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\My Documents\My Music
14 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\My Documents\My Videos
15 -
16 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Desktop
17 -
18 -
19 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\NetHood
20 - C:\WINDOWS\Fonts
21 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Templates
22 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
23 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
24 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
25 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
26 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Application Data
27 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\PrintHood
28 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Application Data
29 -
30 -
31 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Favorites
32 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
33 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Cookies
34 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\History
35 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
36 - C:\WINDOWS
37 - C:\WINDOWS\System32
38 - C:\Program Files
39 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\My Documents\My Pictures
40 - C:\Documents and Settings\<User>
41 - C:\WINDOWS\System32
42 -
43 - C:\Program Files\Common Files
44 -
45 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates

Hope this helps everyone!