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Creating Items in Start Menu??

Is there any way, either through API calls or another method to add items to the Start menu, create program groups, etc??? I've found some examples on how to "modify" an existing one, or create something in the previously used items folder and then copy that to the final destination, but I'm trying to create an installer program (similar to InstallShield) that will create the group and the shortcuts in the group programatically. Where do I look to find out how to do this? (obviously it's possible since InstallShield and every other installer is doing it!!)

andysalih

have a look at this

This code enables you to create shortcuts on the desktop or startmenu or in the program file. This is especially useful when you need your setup program to create a program shorcut to the desktop which is not provided in the usual setup kit that ships with visual basic.

Windows API/Global Declarations:

Public Declare Function OSfCreateShellLink Lib "vb6stkit.dll" Alias "fCreateShellLink" _
(ByVal lpstrFolderName As String, _
ByVal lpstrLinkName As String, _
ByVal lpstrLinkPath As String, _
ByVal lpstrLinkArguments As String, _
ByVal fPrivate As Long, _
ByVal sParent As String) As Long

then download the this thread :-
http://www.planetsourcecode.com/xq/ASP/txtCodeId.8120/lngWId.1/qx/vb/scripts/ShowCode.htm

cheers
Andy

andysalih

have a look at this :-

Creates a Windows Shortcut to a program executable, and places it on the Desktop, Start Menu, or a Start Menu subfolder.

http://www.planetsourcecode.com/xq/ASP/txtCodeId.869/lngWId.1/qx/vb/scripts/ShowCode.htm

cheers
Andy

andysalih

and finally,

i think this is exactly what you require....

read on :-

Installation Program which uses cabfile-compression, creates shortcuts and folders and looks quite good - just like InstallShield ! If you ever wanted to code something like InstallShield (only a liitle bit less complex), you can start with this code. Inc

http://www.planetsourcecode.com/xq/ASP/txtCodeId.12819/lngWId.1/qx/vb/scripts/ShowCode.htm

download the code and change it to your choosing.

hope all of that helps

Andy

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Ark

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wileecoy

Andysalih,

are you aware that it is in german or something?

wileecoy

andysalih

no i didnt realise.

but whats the difference.

the questioner can always change the language in the msgbox to say what he wants it to say.

the code wont be written any different will it.

Andy

wileecoy

No - the code won't be different unless any changes need to be made or it is being used in a non-German speaking country.... like here.... but if it will be needed in the format that it is currently in, and the users speak German, then it is just fine.... lol.

andysalih

what you going on about,

if he's English, or Alien, as long has he can read the CODE and not the COMMENTS then he will be fine.

like i previously stated, he only has to change the message box langauge to his own.

geesh....

Andy

u42093

ASKER

Yes it was all in German, but thanks to Babelfish and the fact that it follows InstallShield pretty closely, it was not too difficult to figure out. No prob.

I'm also liking Ark's suggestion, too, though, since it doesn't rely on the presence of the DLL. I'm trying both. Originally, I didn't see Ark's response, so I went ahead an implemented the first solution. I wish I could give both of you the points because they're both viable answers.

u42093

ASKER

I like it!