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Create a Desktop Shortcut for an program in C

Hello All. Is it possible to write a C program to create a desktop shortcut for a specific static executable? I am trying to package some software for end users and want to have a program automatically create a shortcut on the desktop for the program that just installed in the package.

Thanks a lot.

jkr

See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/Shell/programmersguide/shell_int/shell_int_programming/shortcuts/shortcut.asp ("Shell Links") - this article comes with sample code.

jkr

BTW, there's more sample code available - check http://www.microsoft.com/msj/defaulttop.asp?page=/msj/archive/s2bd.htm ("Fusing Your Applications to the System Through the Windows95 Shell")

wauger

ASKER

Thanks. But I really dont want to use the Windows Shell environment if possible. Is there another way? Cant I just write a plan C program and compile a small executable to create a desktop shortcut? Thanks agian.

jkr

>>Cant I just write a plan C program and compile a small executable to create a desktop shortcut?

That is what I am suggesting. However, this C program will have to use the shell's API do achieve that.

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jkr

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wauger

ASKER

That is perfect. Thanks a lot. But I tried compiling the C code and got multiple errors. Any ideas? Thanks

jkr

>>Any ideas?

Yes. Post the errors - I forgot to clean my crystal ball :o)

wauger

ASKER

Oh, yea. That would help. Here you go....

shortcut.c: In function `main':
shortcut.c:23: parse error before `*'
shortcut.c:30: `hres' undeclared (first use in this function)
shortcut.c:30: (Each undeclared identifier is reported only once
shortcut.c:30: for each function it appears in.)
shortcut.c:31: `psl' undeclared (first use in this function)
shortcut.c:31: incompatible type for argument 1 of `CoCreateInstance'
shortcut.c:31: incompatible type for argument 4 of `CoCreateInstance'
shortcut.c:48: structure has no member named `Load'
shortcut.c:61: `szGotPath' undeclared (first use in this function)
shortcut.c:64: `wfd' undeclared (first use in this function)
shortcut.c:75: structure has no member named `Release'

jkr

That is weird - did you use the code from the link or copy the code from my above comment?

wauger

ASKER

oh, i just copied it from your comment. I should try the link first.

jonnin

er, could you not just make a shortuct to it to distribute, then open that with your program and change where it points to?? Its a binary file but the path part is in text, it should be an easy, quick way to do this.

not a great way to do things, but that way you don't need os specific headers or anything, if its still giving you trouble and you need a fix now it may help...

peterchen092700

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Kent Olsen

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