Run at startup using scheduled tasks

_Superman_

Go to Start -> Programs -> StartUp, right click on it and select Explore. You will now be able to see the path for the StartUp folder. You can use the SHGetSpecialFolderLocation[^] API and give the nFolder parameter as CSIDL_STARTUP.

«_Superman_» I love work. It gives me something to do between weekends.
Microsoft MVP (Visual C++)

Luc Pattyn

A regular user should not be able to force another user to execute some of his code, and Vista has been the first Windows version to enforce this: regular users can't access someone else's private folders (such as StartUp), nor can they modify registry hives with global scope such as LOCAL_MACHINE. And if you find a way to do it anyway, it is doomed to be a bug, and will be fixed in a service pack or a new release. :)

Luc Pattyn

I only read code that is properly indented, and rendered in a non-proportional font; hint: use PRE tags in forum messages

hxhl95

That's true, but it sounds like if I use superman's method, I'll be able to get my app to run for the current user (not all users though). That sounds good enough to me. :-D

hxhl95

Okay, I've just realized I don't know how to make a shortcut. Any hints? Edit: Is there any particular reason why I should use SHGetSpecialFolderLocation instead of SHGetSpecialFolderPath?

modified on Thursday, November 5, 2009 10:44 PM

_Superman_ · modified on Thursday, November 5, 2009 10:44 PM

You need to use IShellLink::GetPath[^] and IPersistFile::Save[^] to create shortcuts. Take a look at this article - Utility for creating Link(shortcut)...[^]

«_Superman_» I love work. It gives me something to do between weekends.
Microsoft MVP (Visual C++)

hxhl95

And unless I'm very much mistaken, we're back to using COM again. :laugh: No problem, thanks for your advice. :)

_Superman_

:) COM is like alcohol. Good for anything.

«_Superman_» I love work. It gives me something to do between weekends.
Microsoft MVP (Visual C++)

Luc Pattyn

Current user is no problem, there are many ways to do it. The personal startup folder is Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.StartUp) which returns a different location on different Windows versions. [EDIT]Sorry, that is .NET stuff...[/EDIT] :)

Luc Pattyn

I only read code that is properly indented, and rendered in a non-proportional font; hint: use PRE tags in forum messages

modified on Friday, November 6, 2009 6:34 PM

hxhl95 · modified on Friday, November 6, 2009 6:34 PM

And then we run into the same problem up there (in the other "sub-thread"). :laugh: It's okay, I'm going to see if I can get COM to work...my copy of the SDK doesn't have it for some reason. Going to download some other copy.

Luc Pattyn

CP hosts several articles on creating shortcuts, such as this one[^]. Alternatively you can distribute one with your app, and copy it to where ever you want it. :)

Luc Pattyn

I only read code that is properly indented, and rendered in a non-proportional font; hint: use PRE tags in forum messages

David Crow · modified on Thursday, November 5, 2009 10:44 PM

hxhl95 wrote:

Edit: Is there any particular reason why I should use SHGetSpecialFolderLocation instead of SHGetSpecialFolderPath?

It all depends on whether you want the folder's PIDL or its path. They are not interchangeable functions.

"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown

"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons

hxhl95

Edit: Ridiculously stupid post was here. Ignore it. Please. I did NOT write something that stupid. Apparently I fail at reading documentation. Problem solved now, thanks a lot. :)

modified on Friday, November 6, 2009 8:49 PM