Mapping Start button directly to programs folder - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

Searched around for quite a while and couldn't find a solution to this, maybe someone with with more knowledge on resource hacking can help out.
Using the start menu on WM Professional devices is not conducive to single handed use, its actually quite cumbersome. I would like to remap the *on-screen* start button to simply open the programs folder ala WM Smartphone. Is this possible? I believe it would be much easier to manage on the go and would skip a step which is always beneficial. The only problem I could see is creating a link to "settings"
Any help on this would be much appreciated.

Search for the application folderStartPgm.exe
And after from Settings -> Personal -> Buttons, assing the button to this application(firs must to make a shortcut points to \startmenu\programs folder

I've seen that before, and although very cool I would still like to remap the Start button and avoid an unnecessary step. Any other ideas?

dancer_69 said:
Search for the application folderStartPgm.exe
And after from Settings -> Personal -> Buttons, assing the button to this application(firs must to make a shortcut points to \startmenu\programs folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant find folderStartPgm.exe in windows folder ??!!

I don't know about mapping the Start button to bring up the applications folder, but using WA3 (or probably a registry tweak but I don't know it) you can remap the Start button to Windows\Start Menu\Programs, and have all of your applications displayed in the first drop-down menu rather than just 7. It also leaves access to Settings too...

Copy the attached file programs.lnk , to your \windows\start menu\programs , and use the buttons settings to bind the link to the program.lnk
---
To create a shortcut to a folder:
Use Total commander, browse to the location of which you want to make a shortcut, highlight the folder/file you want, from the File menu in Total Commander, choose >>>> on top , and then choose create short-cut, then save the output link to the \windows\start menu\programs.
---------------
Hope this helps

oseven said:
I don't know about mapping the Start button to bring up the applications folder, but using WA3 (or probably a registry tweak but I don't know it) you can remap the Start button to Windows\Start Menu\Programs, and have all of your applications displayed in the first drop-down menu rather than just 7. It also leaves access to Settings too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a great alternative to the classic (limited) start menu, but I want it gone completely. It's too cumbersome for use in the car.
Anyone?

veeru27 said:
Copy the attached file programs.lnk , to your \windows\start menu\programs , and use the buttons settings to bind the link to the program.lnk
---
To create a shortcut to a folder:
Use Total commander, browse to the location of which you want to make a shortcut, highlight the folder/file you want, from the File menu in Total Commander, choose >>>> on top , and then choose create short-cut, then save the output link to the \windows\start menu\programs.
---------------
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a great idea and rereading my post I can see how it may be slightly confusing, you see I want to change the Start menu button in the top left corner of the screen that opens the menu to directly open the programs folder. If anyone of you has used a windows mobile smartphone you know what I mean. That way all you have to do is tap the top left section of the screen and scroll to your app. no more tiny menu to hunt and peck on while trying to do important things like you know driving, or bike riding, etc...
Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys.

Aqrab said:
cant find folderStartPgm.exe in windows folder ??!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't in windows directory. Search in the forum or google to find it. After download, copy it to your device and make a shortcut for the program like explained above.

nowhere
I haven't find him in the forum or no where else on the web, can someone make an attachement please;

N'da said:
I haven't find him in the forum or no where else on the web, can someone make an attachement please;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah someone upload it here

Me to has been looking for this. To make pressing the on screen windows icon pop up the programs folder, but one other problem, how to then access settings folder.
folderStartPgm.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for me the filename to start programsfolder is folderview.exe
just need a way to link it to the icon.
Good luck anyway

Try this program.

In search for a solution, you can maybe use "LargeStartmenu.cab". It makes the starmenu (and text in programs) larger. The version in the "Diamond Apps (OEM + CAB)" thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=395400
works for my Touch

You can find folderStartPgm.exe here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2136821&highlight=attach#post2136821

Related

How to map the Startmenu>Programs to the left softkey

Help!
Is it possible to map the Startmenu programs window to the left softkey?
I'd like to access the programs window by one key press.
To put it anotherway, can somebody tell me what shortcut can opens the programs window or the settings window?
Pressing ok on the today screen will open up the startmenu .. in case you didnt knew .. otherwise .. the bottom window key can do the same ..
gravejoker said:
Pressing ok on the today screen will open up the startmenu .. in case you didnt knew .. otherwise .. the bottom window key can do the same ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew that. I was talking about one-button-press access to the Programs window, and not to the Startmenu.
So I'd like to open the programs window by pushing the left soft key.
Then use WM5NewMenu to create a new menu containing all your programs .. then use the left softkey to launch that new menu ..
gravejoker said:
Then use WM5NewMenu to create a new menu containing all your programs .. then use the left softkey to launch that new menu ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but it'd be too much. I use almost all of the programs. I've sorted them into sub folters, it looks like almost a "normal" phone menu system.
And that's why I'd like to access them by one key...
Anybody? else?
enabe said:
Thanks, but it'd be too much. I use almost all of the programs. I've sorted them into sub folters, it looks like almost a "normal" phone menu system.
And that's why I'd like to access them by one key...
Anybody? else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Resco Explorer and browse to windows-start menu and highlight the programs folder, tap menu and choose 'create shortcut in start menu' then after closing down Resco go to settings and choose 'soft key' in there, choose program. works for me! Also if when using Resco you goto menu and choose large icons in the 'view' sub menu, the layout will look very similar to the view when opening up programs the original way. Hope this helps!
padlad said:
Use Resco Explorer and browse to windows-start menu and highlight the programs folder, tap menu and choose 'create shortcut in start menu' then after closing down Resco go to settings and choose 'soft key' in there, choose program. works for me! Also if when using Resco you goto menu and choose large icons in the 'view' sub menu, the layout will look very similar to the view when opening up programs the original way. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! You are beating about the bush!
It's almost that I wanted, but it runs the Resco Explorer, and the Resco is showing the programs folder.
The result is not bad, but starting the Resco takes more time, and more memory than the "normal" programs window
Somewhere I saw some *.cpl file (or what), in a shortcut that opened the settings window. I thought there is a similar solution to the programs folder too. So i'd like to know what should contains my .lnk file, that runs the normal programs window.
Any solution for this???
Thanks
enabe said:
Help!
Is it possible to map the Startmenu programs window to the left softkey?
I'd like to access the programs window by one key press.
To put it anotherway, can somebody tell me what shortcut can opens the programs window or the settings window?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also want to know how to map the "Programs" to the softkey!! And it seem no one know the answer!! and the path to show the "Programs" in icon is not just a simple .lnk

map programs folder to hardkey?

In HTC home plug, I can set one of the soft buttons on the launcher to "launch programs folder". Is there a way to map this function to a hardkey? I don't want to download a third party launcher--I just want to be able to press a button and open the programs folder (and not in the file explorer view).
Any help would be wonderful.
Another folder in which I could put shortcuts in would also work. I just want the icons large and finger friendly like the programs folder.
Is it possible to use folderview.exe to do this?
Check here for the solution...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1644004&postcount=7
I used this to create a shortcut in each and every sub folder under Programs so once in a sub folder, I can easily go back to the Programs folder without having to close the window and open the Programs again from the HTC Home App.
I called the shortcut '!Back to Programs.lnk' so it appeard at the beginning of every folder and the shortcut is setup as follows...
Code:
53#\Windows\folderview.exe #?\Windows\shellres.dll,-8208
Copy the above into simple binary text editor and save to have your shortcut.
I guess you wouldn't need the '53#' and '?\Windows\shellres.dll,-8208' bits to link to hardkey. This is more to give the shortcut a nicer icon in the folder view.
Been looking for this. google search "launch programs folder" found this thread. Ought just be a 'icon view' option in file explorer dontcha think? Thanks!
Hmmm... it's not doing quite what I'm after...
As the FolderView is an application, when you click the X in the top right corner, it closes the window. If you were in the 'Start' => 'Programs' folder and were in a sub folder, pressing the OK button would simply return you to the previous folder.
I counter acted this by adding a shortcut to the FolderView app in every folder as mentioned above but for some reason this no longer works correctly. I think it has something to do with the HTC Task Manager I have upgraded to (v 2.0.30995). Works better than previous version but for this one thing, I think it's stopping multiple instances of the FolderView app.
So, this brings me to... How can you load the Programs Folder so you can go back from a sub folder?
Can anyone hack the FolderView app? A simple 'Up' button could be added to the lower left of the window, similar to the view of File Explorer. This way, the X can still be used to close the FolderView App and the 'Up' button takes you back up the Programs list.
In case your wondering, I have various apps loaded on my Pocket PC and have categorised them and placed into sub folders. I've then created an icon association to each folder so it looks a little more pleasent when viewing. However, I want to freely browse the folder. See attached Tumbnail...
the link works on sprint touch. I call it "_Up" so it always appears at first position.
I note that folderview when you close it doesn't appear in task menu like file explorer and most other app.
folderview with some options would be great because it's a fast finger friendly interface ... must faster and easier to configure than various cubes.
ps
I came across this in another thread. I haven't tried it yet but I'm gonna take a look when I get a chance.
Possibly it could be used to add some features to folderview:
http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/
I'm glad I stumbled across this thread because I think it's exactly what I want to do...I just need a little help as I'm not as savvy as some of you guys might be.
What I'm wanting to do is create sub directories in my programs folder like viglante_xix does (grouping Office, GPS Programs, Media Programs, etc.) and point to it as a shortcut in rlToday. I think I might have been able to figure this out on my own after tinkering, but I don't have the folderview.exe in my windows dir. Can someone send me a copy or know of an alternative?
Also, I'm not completely ignorant to programming; I know a little VB, Java, and C++. I understand how the code above works, but what program do I use to make this shortcut...preferably something free.
Thanks in advance.

Programs Window... Link?

When you click on Programs on the Start Menu you get the Programs window, right?
How can I link to that?
I want to add it to an icon on cLaunch. Tried the "windows\start menu\programs" but it opens file explorer in that location. I want to access the same window you get if you tap "Programs" in the start menu.
Anyone?
Thanks!
erm its difficult.
The easiest way to get to the same looking window for Programs is to get hold of a file called Folderview.exe. That does it. But it only does that folder anyway.
If you can program or create a script then you can launch the programs screen by sending keystrokes to the Start menu but again only shows that folder.
If you want to show the files in any folder but in icon view rather than list then you can either get something which changes the built in file manager to show icon view or else use a separate file manager for it like Explorer (formerly gsfinder++). That way you get the same sort of look.
Sorry I dont have the links to all this stuff but it might help you searching.
Folderview.exe... can't find it. is it supposed to be part of WM6 or is it an add-on?
See if this works
From the "IPhone like..." thread, see if this works.
\Windows\fexplore.exe"\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
macsoft said:
Folderview.exe... can't find it. is it supposed to be part of WM6 or is it an add-on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's added to wm6 devices by HTC as part of the HTC today plugin.
got it. Its just what wanted. but...
Internet favorites files dont show up, but that is not so bad.
The other diference between this prog and clicking the "programs" link on the start menu is that, when I enter a folder, "Games" for example, if I press hardware key "OK", the program closes, while if i clicked the "programs" on the start menu, and entered the "Games" Folder and pressed "OK" it would go back to the original "programs" window.
littld said:
erm its difficult.
If you want to show the files in any folder but in icon view rather than list then you can either get something which changes the built in file manager to show icon view
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting ...remember what it was called? Google returns empty.

How can i create a shortcut to Program & Setting Folders in Start menu

How can i create a shortcut to "Program Folder " & for "Setting Folder" in Start menu .. as example make the right soft key open setting folder and the left one open programs
Bro' use this - WM 5 NewMenu
Programs > Create shortcut to \Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Dr.Mazika said:
How can i create a shortcut to "Program Folder " & for "Setting Folder" in Start menu .. as example make the right soft key open setting folder and the left one open programs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have two programs in your \Windows folder, one called "htcPrograms.exe" and the other is "htcSettings.exe" These programs open the folder that is implied in their name, so if you create a shortcut to these programs it should work. Thay are down a bit.
T M Z
tmz said:
You should have two programs in your \Windows folder, one called "htcPrograms.exe" and the other is "htcSettings.exe" These programs open the folder that is implied in their name, so if you create a shortcut to these programs it should work. Thay are down a bit.
T M Z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No htcSettings.exe Or htcPrograms.exe
Any Help
Without that htcsettings file I don't think anything will work. And I also don't have that file. I just know that I've tried making a shortcut to the "settings folder" before and no one seemed to know how. The problem is its not actually a "folder". It's something else. You can make shortcuts to the individual .cpls but not the whole "folder"... The programs folder is actually a folder so you can just make a shortcut to that but the settings is a whole other ball game. If you figure it that that'll be great!
Do you have the file \Windows\folderview.exe? If so, this works on my Touch XL to shortcut to the programs listing - icon list, just as if you press programs in the start menu.
Hey guys, these two shortcuts exist. Go to windows, it's not in a folder, but down below the folders. Use your sidebar and scroll it half way down. Start looking for those two. Their about 3 to 4 files apart from each other. Roughly in alphabetical order. After you find them hold down on them with your stylus and copy them to whereever your like to create a shortcut for them. i copy them both to my documents and had no problem creating shortcuts to both of them. Hop that helps. I tried posting a picture. I just can't get it to copy in this bo
This is it.
not exist in my windows folder
Dr.Mazika said:
not exist in my windows folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what WM are you running?
am i missing something here, or can't tmz just post those two files from his/her windows folder? it'd be much faster than going through asking people what ROM they're running, etc.
tmz said:
This is it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This? T M Z
I'm some what new at this. I don't know what you mean by "post the files." I thought the picture showing the files in windows is what you were looking for.
try these apps. copy them to any folder and create a shortcut. works perfectly
here are the two programs
just install them where you want
woops, someone already posted files!
asefsef said:
woops, someone already posted files!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the one.
The setting icons have a quite large text, but it is ok.
Folderwiev for programs looks perfect on duttys rom 3.x
Number of icons per row
Thanks - great applications.
In my regular settings, I have changed registry settings so that I get 4 icons per row (Horizontal icon spacing, vertical icon spacing). How do I do that for these programs? Is there a parameter I can pass to them? Or can your program read those values from the registry and adapt the display accordingly?
Hi, Guys, if you don't want to add any additional apps to your phone, here's the pure-shortcuts way:
Please check these two threads for more info:
In this thread ([Guide] How to create .LNK files and use parameters) you'll know how to make a full set of shorcuts for all control-panel settings items, and a ready-made set already there.
In this thread (Control Panel links and icons wm2003se and higher) you can also know how to associate those shortcuts with system icons.
Hence, for 'settings', just creat a new folder in \windows\start menu\programs\ named 'settings' and put inside all the control panel shortcuts.
Edit: The advantage of this wayis: You can map any single item of settings into the softkeys or a hardware button. So shortcuts become shortcut to your target within one touch.
For 'programs', just create a shortcut for the folder \windows\start menu\programs\ inside the folder itself.
Thank you egoist6 for Files
You saved me from HardReset
My problem was crushed manila and no settings shortcut in ROM, there is no htcsettings.exe , no settings.exe , no cplmain.cpl
thank you

Ultimate launch question.

Trying to create a button link to "settings" in my verizon ppc for UL, any ideas?
thank you very much.
Jon
"UltimateLaunchConfig.exe" is the app. What kind of "button link" do you want? In a UL button? or a hard button?
If you mean create a button to show the settings menu, this should work for you:
Go to Windows\Start Menu
Copy Settings
Paster a shortcut (for settings) anywhere.
create a new button using the shortcut you created​
AthenaLod said:
If you mean create a button to show the settings menu, this should work for you:
Go to Windows\Start Menu
Copy Settings
Paster a shortcut (for settings) anywhere.
create a new button using the shortcut you created​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much respect to all first and foremost. From my experience with UL, that may work for some applications located in the Windows folder, but not all. For instance, you cannot create a shortcut for the Today settings to switch up your themes, Power/Soft Reset , or even Remove Programs either. There's a slew of programs that can't be made into shortcuts within UL. It's perhaps a limitation of UL.
But there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. If one desperately wants to create /include such applications (Power, Resetting, Today, etc) with UL, one can install Mobile Shell because it create shortcuts in itself, which UL can then detect. Pocket Plus may be able do the same, but I'm uncertain.
Also, the word on the street, the next version will be 'better' and I don't have the slightest clue as to when that release will surface. I'm no expert, just a big fan like of UL. My two cents.
this answer is a little bit wrong:
1. you can make a Shortcut to ANY wm setting. example: command: ctlpnl, param: cplmain.cpl,10 (for uninstalling software) search in the other ul threads.
2. Daniel Who wrote UL made also some "smartutilities" for make calll, toggle wifi, softreset and many more, google for it. this are small .exe you can link to.
yes, i was attempting to have a button inside of UL access the settings area. I have the xv6700 which appears to have a problem with keeping UL on the today screen after a soft reset. so before I soft reset I need to change my today plugin to something else. otherwise when i reboot nothing shows up and will not load any other plug-ins. Makes it easy to have a quick link cause I'm not a stylus fan.
Thank you very much guys. would have never thought of making a short cut of it. thanks again!
-Jon
bluemetalaxe said:
this answer is a little bit wrong:
1. you can make a Shortcut to ANY wm setting. example: command: ctlpnl, param: cplmain.cpl,10 (for uninstalling software) search in the other ul threads.
2. Daniel Who wrote UL made also some "smartutilities" for make calll, toggle wifi, softreset and many more, google for it. this are small .exe you can link to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good information. This seems to be a hot topic at the moment and assume this info hasnt been highlighted before. Perhaps a brave soul will post some shortcut command params, directions/instructions in their spare time, and have them listed/located in one thread for easy like the icons. (And also some of those "smartultilities" as well).
How about game area ? my problem 's it's difficult to create all game in icons. so I would like to make a link to call all game folder as when we call it by startmenu
robosiris said:
Good information. This seems to be a hot topic at the moment and assume this info hasnt been highlighted before. Perhaps a brave soul will post some shortcut command params, directions/instructions in their spare time, and have them listed/located in one thread for easy like the icons. (And also some of those "smartultilities" as well).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm not very brave, but I knew this page existed on PPCSG.COM, so I thought I'd share it. It shows how you can create .LNK files to many of the Settings Applets. Hope it helps.
-pvs
Here is a link to majority of the settings options:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340974
Just find the one you want, open notepad on your PC copy the line into notepad, with only that text, and save as power.lnk, for example, then have the button set to that link.
Any Idea on how to add a folder shortcut? I want to have my different photo albums
Is there a way to specify the appropriate ICON in the .lnk file? I have the "cplmain.cpl,26" working but it just shows a generic icon.
Just change the icon in the display tab.
Folder Shortcuts
muzikfreakah said:
Any Idea on how to add a folder shortcut? I want to have my different photo albums
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever get an answer on this? If so, how do you make a shortcut to a folder? I've tried using the context menu of creating a shortcut and then having UL point to the shortcut but it doesn't open it.
Thanks for any info!
would like to know this as well.
bdumch said:
Did you ever get an answer on this? If so, how do you make a shortcut to a folder? I've tried using the context menu of creating a shortcut and then having UL point to the shortcut but it doesn't open it.
Thanks for any info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't used this yet, but resco explorer has an option (you have to edit the regsitry for it) that let's you load folders according to command line arguments (then you can use UL to load the folder in resco straight using a command line).
you should check it out.

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