Need batch file to move shortcut from CD to Desktop 1

[CactysJack]

I have a CD I distribute to users. I have a .BAT file (old fashioned perhaps) to make a folder on C:\ and copy *.* files to it from the CD.

One last problem I have is another command line to send a shortcut from the CD to the desktop. This might be easier if MS didn't have user desktops but going to the All Users desktop probably would work OK.

However, I don't know how to treat the shortcut as a file or what it's name is.

TIA,

John

 

[Marcs41]

The shortcut has a .lnk extension and is is in the dir the shortcut is in.
Example: if you look at a shortcut named Hello on the desktop, you will find a small file in
C:\Document and Settings\username\Desktop
Open a command prompt there, do a dir and you will see the file Hello.lnk.
That's the one you would need to copy then in that batch file.
Tip, if it is a shortcut which is to be used by all users, move that file to C:\Document and Settings\All users\Desktop. Then you only need 1 file for all. The solution is out there.

 

[CactysJack]

Thanks for the super quick help.

It sounds easy but a problem. When I look in C:\Document and Settings\username\Desktop the files do not have extensions. Even looking with "details". What am I doing wrong.

John

 

[CactysJack]

I got it! On inspiration I went to the DOS prompt and lo and behold the lnk extension appeared. I think I can handle it now. Windows wouldn't tell me anything more than it was a "shortcut".

Thanks for the lead.

John

 

[linney]

If you want file extensions displayed. Uncheck "Hide Extensions For Known File Types" via Folder Options/ View.

 

[CactysJack]

Linney - Thanks for the tip but the block is not checked. Maybe XP is not so easily fooled.

Marcs41 - Trouble here too. The batch file containing copy *.lnk C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop didn't work due to "improper" syntax warning in DOS mode. I did send to D:\temp as an experiment and that worked. Maybe "DOS" doesn't like long names or names with spaces. This may be a dumb question, but what is the Windows equivalent of a DOS batch file?

John

 

[CactysJack]

Is the answer to my last question SCRIPT? Something else to learn? Or is there a workaround?

John

 

[Marcs41]

As I stated in my first anwer, you need to go into a command prompt to see the extension, unhiding it doe snot work hers ass you noticed, that's why I added that.
But, ok, you found out yourself.
Your other mistake is in the batchfile, you will need to respect the 8.3 format.
C:\Documents and Settings\All users\ becomes
C:\Docume~1\Alluse~1 etc.
To replace a long file name, just take the first 6 chars, skip the spaces and add ~1. If there is more then 1, you need ~1 and ~2 etc.
To see for yourself, click start - run - command (NOT CMD).
type a dir and see.
Play a bit with the CD command and you will find out how it works.


The solution is out there.

 

[CactysJack]

Marcs41,

You are right, I didn't read the fine print. Missed that crucial step. Anyway we found it.

And thanks for the naming tips in your last post. I am grateful for the time you spent helping.

Just before your last post a friend of mine emailed me what turns out to be a definitive solution. He uses double quotes like:

copy *.lnk "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop"

(my exact command on a CD)

or another example: copy "so and so.ext" "C:\a directory"

Works like a champ!

This would make a great FAQ, I could find nothing about it in a few hours of searching.

I think that solves all my problems.

Thanks again,

John

 

[Marcs41]

You're welcome.
The double quote solution also works indeed, but not in pure DOS, so the 8.3 is more generic, be it also more annoying ;-)

Have fun The solution is out there.