For a new Project I needed the function, to create Links to a File (in Startmenu and Autostart). But that is the Point to take a look on the MFC-Classes. But there is not so many Info about. The Old-Version (for Win 3.11) with DDE was nice and runs fine. But that is not the way to write it under WinNT 4.0.

Okay, the right book at the right time, and every problem can be solved...

The Solution I found under a small chapter about IShellLink. But not much Info, and so i tried it out.

At First is the boring COM -

	CoInitialize(NULL);	
	hres = CoCreateInstance(CLSID_ShellLink, NULL, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER,
	IID_IShellLink, (LPVOID*) &psl);

If it was successful, you can set Path, Description and so on. But to create the link in real (on Harddisk) we need IPersistFile

	hres = psl->QueryInterface( IID_IPersistFile, (LPVOID *) &ppf);

and save the File...

	hres = ppf->Save(, TRUE);

Thats all.

So, if anybody need it complete:

// Creating a Link with IShellLink
// strPathObj  = Object with Path
// strPathLink = Path where the Link will appear
// strDesc = Link-Decription (the text under the Icon)
// CoInitialize(NULL) wird vorausgesetzt !!

HRESULT MyMainClass::CreateLink(const CString strPathObj,const CString
strPathLink, const CString strDesc)
{
HRESULT hres;
IShellLink* psl;

	CString strMyPath = strPathLink;

	hres = CoCreateInstance(CLSID_ShellLink, NULL, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER,
IID_IShellLink, (LPVOID*) &psl);
	if (SUCCEEDED(hres))
	{
		IPersistFile* ppf;

		psl->SetPath(strPathObj);
		psl->SetDescription(strDesc);

		hres = psl->QueryInterface( IID_IPersistFile, (LPVOID *) &ppf);

		if (SUCCEEDED(hres))
		{
			strMyPath += ".lnk";  // Important !!!

			WORD wsz[MAX_PATH];
			MultiByteToWideChar(CP_ACP, MB_PRECOMPOSED, strMyPath, -1, wsz,
MAX_PATH);

			hres = ppf->Save(wsz, TRUE);
			if (hres != S_OK )
				MessageBox(NULL, "IPersistFile->Save() Error", "Error", MB_OK);
			
			ppf->Release();
		}
		psl->Release();
	}
	return hres;
}

C:\\.lnk

FileLink([Source-Path with File],
	 [Destination-Path with an allowed Name and .lnk as Extension] 
         (like C:\[Path]\[Name you want].lnk ]);

And if you would like to try a complete Sample you can download FileLinkDemo.zip (only Win NT4.0 tested) (19KB)

Date Posted: 10/5/98

Comments:

• Problems with handles! -> Memory overflow! - Michael D. (2000/03/29)
• How to indicate position on the desktop when creating a shortcut! - Eric Forget (2000/03/26)
• creating internet shortcut - Venu Vemula (1999/12/22)
• easy way to setting up a icon for shortcut - Marcos Mori de Siqueira (1999/12/18)
• How can application get multifiles at the same time? - HenryIII (1999/12/17)
• I want to launch application as file is double clicked..! - maroo (1999/07/08)
• Notes and Enhancements : CreateShortcut - Firo (1998/11/17)

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