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Making an alias

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to make an alias of a .exe file and have completed the following steps:

  1. Clicked on start and typed in “regedit”
  2. Clicked on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  3. Expanded “Software” then expanded “Microsoft”, then expanded “Windows”,  then expanded “Current Version”, then expanded “APP Paths”.
  4. Right-clicked on “App Paths” and chose “New Key"
  5. Named the key “merge-csv.exe” and then went to the right side of the screen where it says “Default” and double clicked on it, then gave it the following path.

C:\Program Files\Merge csv files\dist\merge_csv.exe

When I went to search for the alias using the input field under "Start", no results came up.

I wondered if anyone could tell me what I might be doing wrong or is there another way to create an alias of a .exe file?

Would really appreciate any help.
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CompProbSolv
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What exactly are you trying to do?  Do you just want it on the start menu?  If so, then you just need to make a shortcut to it under Programs.
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CAE5942

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Thanks for the reply. I had a python file and as I need it to run on a Windows computer that doesn't have Python installed, I used py to exe to convert the python file into an exe file. When I did that, it creates two folders - one called "build" and another called "dist". Within the "dist" folder are 8 files and one of them is the exe file called merge_csv.exe. The problem is that all those other files will probably confuse the person wanting to merge about 9 csv files so I wanted a way whereby the person could save the csv files in a directory of their choosing on their computer and then I was hoping that an alias to the merge_csv.exe could be created and stored in their chosen directory so that they could run it and have the script merge the csv files. I'd rather not have it run in the start menu.

Is that possible?
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NerdsOfTech
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I would think, an easier solution albeit one that would require a bit of user intervention would be to copy the Executable to a known path - e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Executable_path

Then, the first time users need to run the merge, they right-click on one of the files and chose "Open with". If they browse to the executable, it'll then allow them to choose your executable.

Or, if you want a more seamless interaction yet, create a proper installer that puts a shortcut onto their start menu and give the application a "File..open" dialogue.

I'm not a programmer or coder but what you're talking about in the registry isn't something I've ever encountered before.
What you did was correct, but it has nothing to do with the search function.. that allows you to type in "start merge_csv.exe" at a command line and have the app automatically launch..

To make it visible in the start menu search, just create a shortcut under c:\programdata\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs\<foldername> then that will create a shortcut on the public start menu..

Coralon
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ASKER

Thanks for all the replies. I was able to create the shortcut using the right-click method. Much appreciated.