This rocks. If you're like me, (may the Lord help you if you are), then you got a few, can't do without them, shortcuts to certain folders you can't get off the Desktop. Well, now you can, almost. The almost is that there still has to be one shortcut on the Desktop, except it's not a shortcut, but a, (drum roll for a new geeking term), JumpCut. Ok, maybe it's not fancy, but it works.
First, we got to pick on an extension, one that isn't in use out there, how about .jump, for after all, we are creating a unique application for Jumping to a Specific Folder. Get ready for a complaint. And BTW, you have to have extensions enabled. And not be scared of editing the registry.
[list=1][*]Right Click on the Desktop[*]Select New[*]Text Document[*]Name it 'Jump.Jump'[*]Windows Complains[*]Click Yes[/list=1]
Ok, that was easy, now we make an Registry Association
[list=1][*]Double Click Jump.jump[*]Once the Open With box loads, don't give it a description, but select something which loads quick and easy, say like Notepad.[*]Close Notepad.[/list=1]
My, so far so good, now lets create those JumpCuts. You have to edit the Registry, so don't be scared, but you can use Folder Options to get %90 of your work done. Basically it's adding extra selections to the right click menus for an Entry, which then gives you a pop-up menu for launching folders. Each entry is constructed like this:
Folder Options / File Types Method:
[list=1][*]Locate the JUMP entry (HINT: Highlight that first entry, press 'J' )[*]Click Edit[*]Click New[*]Enter the FOLDER name in the ACTION Field[*]Enter EXPLORER.EXE C:\Folder\Folder[*]Click OK[/list=1]
Now, either remove that default 'OPEN', or treat it likewise. And add all them other folder shortcuts from off your desktop. I'm not sure how many you could ultimately stuff into the registry, but I got a couple of right clicks with over a dozen selections.
Finally, you do have to edit the registry for Folder Options includes the %1 to every entry.
Err, you have to give Folder Options a default to delete that default OPEN. If you go straight into the registry, you can whack it there.
Direct Registry Entry:
[list=1][*]Locate the .JUMP entry[*]Locate the resulting autoentry, (on mine, it's jump_auto_file) (HINT, Press 'J' )[*]Click the Plus and open the subkeys[*]First, edit or delete that OPEN[*]Click on SHELL[*]EDIT/NEW/KEY[*]Name it some Folder Name[*]While on the new Shell Action Key: EDIT/NEW/KEY[*]name this one command[*]Double Click on the Default entry[*]Enter EXPLORER.EXE C:\Folder\Folder[/list=1]
Use this method, especially if you're using folders with spaces, because you have to WRAP THE COMPLETE PATH IN QUOTES! Like this:
explorer.exe "c:\folder space\folder name\sub folder"
(The only reason I make this statement is because occasionally, Folder Options will not put the quotes in. :shrug: )
Now for a final Geek.
Add the following String Values to the main root entry for jump_auto_file, note that they are all EMPTY:
IsShortcut=""
NeverShowExt=""
AlwaysShowExt=""
You'll have to reboot to see this take effect, but the result is that instead of see JUMP.JUMP, you'll just see JUMP
Thinking about it, this is a LAUNCHER, so you could probably stick other shortcuts in there, if you feel like making it complicated, otherwise I would recommend using another unique extension for that, say like .RUNNER and doing the exact same things detailed here there.
Enjoy!
Last edited by cwg01; October 27th, 2002 at 05:34 PM.
I've made both shortcuts and folders on the Desktop, but I've never had a problem removing them.
The "shortcuts to certain folders you can't get off the Desktop" led me to believe that you had something on your desktop you could not "get off the Desktop."
Not that you "can't" get rid of them, but you need to use the contents of the folder so often that you "can't" do without them. Should of said it like that to begin with.
Well, (scratch scratch) double clicking on the thingy will only open the FIRST entry in the jump list. And that's the first entry according to the order they entries were created in the Registry. This is to create a RIGHT MOUSE CLICK menu which replaces regular shortcuts. Specifically for rapidly accessing folders without starting at "My Computer". Hopefully this picture will better show the results of my efforts. The left side shows my desktop with ten shortcuts to various folders on it. The right shows just the jumpcut icon with the right click menu displayed. At a later date, I plan on working up some CLISD's to rid myself of the extra elements on the right click, and provide for a means to automatically add fresh elements, as well as the ability to remove the elements. That's just going to take me time to learn WSH.
Put Shortcuts in the Registry!
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You've never made a shortcut to a folder so you don't have to start on 'My Computer' to get there?
