How to create a windows shortcut?

General
1

Hi again. I’m using Xojo 2019r1 on windows.
I’m wondering if anyone knows of any tutorials or info about how use Xojo to create a windows shortcut.
Any info at all would be most appreciated, as I haven’t been able to find anything.

2

You could create a windows script file and execute that using Shell. Have a look at https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26006735/creating-a-lnk-in-vbs

HTH
Wayne

3

Or use OLE to access the scripting host directly:

Public Function CreateShortcut(Target As FolderItem, Name As String) As FolderItem
  #If TargetWin32 Then
    Dim shortcut As FolderItem = SpecialFolder.Temporary.Child(Name + ".lnk") 
    Dim WSHScript As New OLEObject("{F935DC22-1CF0-11D0-ADB9-00C04FD58A0B}")
    Dim WSHShortcut As OLEObject = WSHScript.CreateShortcut(shortcut.NativePath)
    If WSHShortcut <> Nil Then
      WSHShortcut.Description = Name
      WSHShortcut.TargetPath = Target.NativePath
      WSHShortcut.WorkingDirectory = Target.NativePath
      WSHShortcut.Save()
      Return shortcut
    End If
  #endif
End Function
2 Likes
4

That’s how I’ve done it, too.

Here is an example project for Windows, macOS and Linux: GitHub: jo-tools/createshortcut

5

WOW! Thanks for all the info, guys. I’ll give it all a go and let you know how I make out. :slight_smile:

6

I’ve got this working, but how do I define the icon or png to use? I get a generic icon at present.

EDIT: I’m trying the following, but starting my project throws an OLEException on “IconLocation”:

WSHShortcut.IconLocation = SpecialFolder.CurrentWorkingDirectory.Child("QM_48.png")

EDIT 2: Solved it. Needed “.NativePath”, and can’t use a png, must be an ico file.
Thanks for the assist!

7

Please post an example of the final, corrected, code.
Thank you.