Windows XP will not allow you to pin a shortcut to the start menu that
points to a network drive. For this reason it can be necessary to write
a batch file to launch a program. The issue is that a shortcut pointed
to a .bat file also contains no “Pin to Start Menu” option. While it
can be dragged onto the start menu, this leaves no option for scripting
these shortcuts. The simple solution is to convert the .bat file to an
.exe file and lucky for us Windows XP includes a tool that can do it…
Step 1Navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and locate the file named IEXPRESS.EXE
Step 2Double Click to launch IEXPRESS.EXE
Step 3You
will be presented with the initial welcome screen and be given two
choices. Select “Create new Self Extraction Directive file.” Click
Next.
Step 4 Next you
will be presented with the Package Purpose screen. For our purposes
select “Extract Files and run an installation command” and click the
Next button.
Step 5 You
will be presented with the Package Title screen, which will give you
the opportunity to give your project a name. If you are so inclined
give it a meaningful name. If like me you are never going to come back
to this, name it whatever you want.
Step 6You
will next be presented with the Confirmation Prompt Screen. We would
like the batch file to just be extracted and run so just choose “No
Prompt” and click the Next Button.
Step 7 You
are presented with the License Agreement window. If you don’t want
your users to have to answer a prompt select “Do not display a license.”
Step 8 The
Packaged Files window is where you will select your batch file (or
.vbs). Click the Add button and browse to your desired file. Then
click next.
Step 9 Here
you are presented with a window titled Install Program to Launch. Use
the drop down control next to “Install Program and choose the only
option that will be present, the .bat or .vbs file that you chose in the
previous window.
Step 10The Show Window screen is next. I didn’t want my users to be prompted in any way so I chose Hidden. Click Next.
Step 11No Finished Message for my users. Select “No message” and choose Next.
Step 12The
Package Name and Options window is where the new .exe specified. Type
in a path or browse to the folder you would like your .exe in, type a
name in the file name box and click save. Also check the box that says
“Hide File Extraction Progress Animation from User.” If you’re worried
about long file names go ahead and click the other box as well.
Step 13Since
we really aren’t installing anything we probably want to tell the
Configure Restart window to not restart. So choose the option that says
“No restart” and hit Next.
Step 14This
window is where you have a chance to save all of the options you have
chosen into a project file so that if necessary you may later return and
make modifications. I have no need to retain the file, but if you
would like to be able to come back to it, by all means choose “Save Self
Extraction Directive (SED) file” and tell it where to put it. As
always, click Next.
Step 15Here’s
where you’re new .exe is born, on the Create Package screen. Explore
to the directory you told it to put the file in, click Next and then
watch your little .exe’s first moments as it pops into the big digital
world.
Step 16You’re
done! Click finish and go try it out. Pin it directly to the start
menu. Point a shortcut to it and pin that to the start menu. Most
importantly, script it and see how slick it is. If you’re not familiar
with how to script start menu pinning the scripting guys will tell you
how.
Check it out here!