Enter this command line: Those are for 9x (95, 98, Me). XP has shutdown.exe, also available in NT and 2k resource kits: Undefined adds that XP also has "tsshutdn 0 /POWERDOWN" to put in target field for a shutdown and mentioned kill.exe. This tool is provided with 2k (tools dir on the cd), and "will kill every task running without warning, so it probably harms your system in some way or another. Don't do it unless you absolutely have to." Freely available online.

Maybe you noticed, some apps get launched in the run box just by typing their names (for example iexplore.exe for IE, notepad.exe...). That's because when they were installed a reg key with this short name was created in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\.

To create a new short name, create a new key with any name (file name: no special characters), and don't forget the extension (even if you don't need to type it when launching), put ".exe" if you don't know what else to put.
Modify its default value with the real app path.

And best of all, you can use a shortcut as the path ! This means you can make special shortcuts as described below and link to them. For example typing "mycomp" would really open this special folder. Command creator (shareware (once free), all Windows versions) will make all that easier by modifying the registry for you with a cool interface. Another way proposed by madpigeon, is to modify "In there, there are string values which allow you to assign a certain character to represent a prefix. So, being an ex-Litestep user, I decided to try setting "!" to a prefix, and it works.

Make shortcuts to all your favorite programs and place them in a folder of your choice. In following with my example, start all the shortcut names with "!". So, "eudora" would become "!eudora". Or, you can choose to use something else besides "!"; it's your choice.

Then, go to the aforementioned key in the registry and add a new string value. The Value Name should be "!", or whatever you have decided to use in front of your file names. The Value Data should be the directory your shortcuts are in, such as "C:\shortcuts\". Full replacements of the run box are here...

If you need a shortcut to some specific tab of any control panel item, the shortcut should go to C:\Windows\Control.exe, or just enter "control" (space), then the name of the .cpl file (comma), name of the control panel item (in your language version, comma), number of the tab you want (front one = 0). For instance, for the listing of your hardware, try this: Also, there's a couple of items controlled by just one .cpl, main.cpl. For these, make it say:

control main.cpl @X

Replace the @X with:

• @0 for the mouse properties item;
• @1 for the keyboard properties item;
• @2 for the printers item;
• @3 for the fonts item.

Some specific Windows folders/items have their own ID within the registry, called a CLSID value (Class Identifier). Making a shortcut to explorer.exe and referring to this value can be a useful way to create some shortcuts.

Command line should look like this:

explorer /root,,::{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}

Running IE5 you probably have to leave "/root," out to get them going. Or add "/e," instead to have the item opened in explorer, instead of a seperate window. Here's the clsid values: One oddity, for the control panel it should read:

explorer /root,,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}

Note some of these might get inverted in different windows versions, so if one doesn't work try something else.

If you use one of the utilities to create bitmapped links on the desktop and/or one of the additional toolbars, you may find it's only possible to link executables. But it's often possible to link to folders and files too by entering your own command line (if the app itself won't let you, there's often an .ini or other file that can be edited in notepad, and it will work.

Basically, you still enter an executable, the one you want the folder/file to be opened with. For a folder, that's explorer.exe. Set the action to "c:\windows\explorer.exe, space, path to any folder" to create a shortcut to the folder. Same for specific files, for instance, set it to (..) "c:\program files\Internet Explorer\Iexplore.exe, space, path to .html" if you want a shortcut to some local webfiles.

The "Find: files and folders" dialog is a useful thing to link. A couple of options:

1. Using a command line like "rundll32 shell32.dll,SHFindFiles". I still don't understand why this doesn't work, it should... be nice and rightclick your desktop, choose new/shortcut and enter this line. Does it work for somebody, or got an idea on an alternative ?

2. Using a script (came up in a discussion at Skinz.org, found here). Create a new textfile and enter these lines: Save and rename the file to find.vbs. Now simply link to the file with the applauncher or a regular shortcut. If you can't link to specific files, try this command line: "wscript.exe x:\path\find.vbs".

3. An option that will work for sure is using an executable that launches the dialog. Dan 'FnaD' Findley coded one that does it (just that, nothing more, coded to answer this question). Find "FaF" here.

4. Another option would be to link to another application, that replaces the dialog. Find some options here, from simple to advanced.

5. Henk van Zetten pointed out one we missed. If you open the dialog, set the direction you commonly search, then choose file/save, you'll have a .fnd file. Clicking/linking the file will open the dialog, set to the directory you choose.


Using the same syntax as the find.vbs file above you could link to some other hidden ui functions, just replace the .FindFiles at the end by any of these : A link to your "current screensaver" could be nice. Ofcourse it's easy to link to any .scr file and have that specific screensaver running. When doing this from an applauncher, add "/s" to the command line if the link opens the configuration dialog of the screensaver. But maybe you're changing screensavers quite often and want the link to go to whatever screensaver you've got installed, without changing the link (?). It seems there's no easy command line to enter for a shortcut (it being not just one call to some system file). So, another simple executable that checks the screensaver you have set and starts it (and nothing more) would be in place:

• Find "Start Screen Saver" at crayzee's homepage.
• Another option, if you've got Office installed, is making a shortcut to "officepath\office\osa.exe -s". For Office 2000 it's osa9.exe (thanks Joseph).
• Or there's QTraySaver.

Just to be complete, if you follow the traditional routes to the "System Configuration tool" (that's opening systeminfo , clicking the "extra" tab, then selecting it, or using the command line and entering "msconfig" - not available in 2k) and want it available otherwise, it's good to know there's an executable in your windows/winnt folder, msconfig.exe, you can link.

And True Small tools (thanks Red) are tiny executables to open your regular close/confirmation, your run dialog and pressing of the startbutton.

The "Folder options" dialog is a useful thing to link. In Me/2k it's an icon in the control panel, so a shortcut can be made. More direct linking is complicated, it seems. Elastic came up with this command line: This works in Me and XP. For 2k, JP Morgan found Anything to add/ask here ?! This item is nowhere near finished, we'd like to expand it.

An alternative way to "shortcut" your way through the OS would be using SENSIVA Symbol commander (free, pro version available). It lets you draw simple graphic symbols on your screen (holding your right mouse button) that are assigned to actions. Lots of actions are predesigned. [*toptool:] Another cool app would be Winkey (free, all), it lets you assign any keyboard shortcuts (as long as it contains the Winkey) to any app, file or folder, this way you just have to hit some keys and your app is launched, for example pressing Ctrl + Winkey + E would open IE. You can also manage the state of an active window (Close, Minimize...).

More advanced, but with a price, is Hot Keyboard (shareware, all), you can use any key and has some unique options like start screensaver, paste text and you don't have to use the winkey... pointed out by Mike.

Macro Maker (Free, 9x/Nt/2k) is pretty advanced (really, maybe even more than Hot Keyboard), and free. Only drawbacks would be that it leaves an icon in the systray and doesn't support Winkey.

HotKeyz (shareware, all) stands out by having winamp control: it can Play, Stop, Pause, Raise and Lower the volume in Winamp without Winamp being the front application or having any focus. You can also create playlists.

the Wonderful Icon (Free, all) has some unique features (Volume, create new folders...), and can use any key combo you can think of. You can hide the icon too, if you want (check the readme). A little less easy to use than Winkey, but the options are probably worth it, and you don't change your shortcuts every day do you?

WireKeys (Free, 2k+) is pretty nice too, lots of options really.