Hi folks,
My first post on the list here. Hopefully I've come to the right place.
I have a M1500 SPV pocket pc device. I would like to customize the Start Menu items by removing two of them -Active Sync and Internet Explorer. I have made a cab file which makes changes to the registry and would like (if possible) to delete the above mentioned items from the start menu via making a change to the registry. I know I can delete the shortcut links from the Start Menu folder but I would prefer to do it via a registry edit if possible. Or if possible, use the same cab to delete the shortcuts from the Start Menu (not sure if this is possible!?)
I'm also looking for a way to hide *all* programs from the Start->Programs screen. Any ideas how to achieve this via a registry hack?
Best Regards and thanks a lot for any help,
dav7
Dan - do you want to delete the start menu ("\windows\start menu" and all subfolders and entry on the start menu?)
Or remove most recently used entries on the start menu?
Or programs in "\windows\start menu"?
Registry isn't really your friend here, other then for the MRU list.
V
Hi vijay555,
Thanks for the quick reply. I only want to remove certain programs from Start Menu, this one...
>Or programs in "\windows\start menu"?
I know if I delete those programs from My Device->Windows->Start Menu then it will remove them from the Start Menu without deleteing the actual program. I was just wondering if there was a way to do that via the registry? i.e. perhaps there is a key in the registry somewhere that lists the items to put in the Start Menu following a hard reset?
I am also looking to hide all programs from the main Programs page i.e. the Programs screen\page that shows all the actual Programs. I was wondering if there is a way to do that via the registry?
I know for example I am able to hide things that reside in the Control Panel settings i.e. Connections->Beam. I was wondering if there is a similar way to do that in the Programs screen?
Hope that is clear! or clearer!
Cheers,
dav
dAV:
sounds like you want to edit your startmenu.
Get a file explorer like GSFinder/Resco etc.
navigate to \windows\start menu
and delete/move everything you want to clear out.
V
perhaps there is a key in the registry somewhere that lists the items to put in the Start Menu following a hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh problem is that the registry is reset when you do a hardreset
so it would just go back to default
same thing with the content of your \windows\start menu
all shortcuts would reappear after a hardreset
unless you made a program in the extented rom which removed them when it was run
Hi,
Thats basically what I'm trying to do. I've made a cab file which when run sets a lot of registry settings following a hard reset. As you said, after a hard reset the device is restored to its normal build. My cab runs right after a hard reset to make sure the device is configured the way I want it. Are there any keys in the registry which are responsible for configuring the Start Menu? I cant seem to find one for Start Menu, only the New Menu
An alternative approach is running an exe which deletes the Programs from the Start Menu folder...but I would prefer to parcel it all up in a tiny little cab file if possible...
Thanks again for any suggestions...
Cheers,
dav
i never seen anything like it in the reg
Thats a pity. I cant find anything either. I prefer to do as much as possible in either the CPF or a cab. exe's do the job but there big and more complicated to change. Neverthless seems I'm stuck with an exe for now. Oh well...
Cheers,
Dav
Hi, Dav!
Even though there is no registry solution, exe file is not your only option.
Cabs can contain a setup.dll that exports 4 functions which the system calls before and after installation or uninstall (separate function for each event).
Check MSDN for setup.dll specifics.
Get a cab file that will start up automatically after a hardreset to delete all the fies in the start menu? I think if you delete the files in the start menu, it will be removed in the Programs list. It is basically a short cut file.
levenum said:
Hi, Dav!
Even though there is no registry solution, exe file is not your only option.
Cabs can contain a setup.dll that exports 4 functions which the system calls before and after installation or uninstall (separate function for each event).
Check MSDN for setup.dll specifics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thanks a lot, I'll look into that.
Cheers!
Dav
hanmin said:
Get a cab file that will start up automatically after a hardreset to delete all the fies in the start menu? I think if you delete the files in the start menu, it will be removed in the Programs list. It is basically a short cut file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Hanmin,
I think you are correct...if you delete *all* files and folders from the Start Menu it will remove the files which are directly situated in the Start Menu folder as well as all files in the Program folder which also resides in the Start Menu folder. This will remove items from both the Start menu and the Programs screen. This is ok for me though as luckily I want to also hide all Programs from the Program screen. A lot of the device functionality has to be hidden from the end users, to prevent them from fiddling with anything and to also hide things like Games etc...
Cheers,
Dav
Hi,
I've managed to get the setup.dll working. Its really useful and stops me needing an exe for many things. However, is it possible to get the dll to show a Dialog window? I've tried incorporating a dialog to the dll but it never seems to show up. I need the user to set a value and was considering doing it via the setup dll, but so far not been able to get the dialog, or even a Message Box to show up when called within the dll?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dav
Here is a line of code from Install_Init function that's working perfectly for me:
Code:
g_dlg = CreateDialog(g_hInst, MAKEINTRESOURCE(IDD_MSGDLG), hwndParent, MyDlgProc);
I save g_hInst in DllMain.
As for message boxes, just call them as usual, never had a problem there, but you need to make sure you put your code in the correct function or it will not be called at the right time.
Hi !
I've just upgrade my 9000 with Rom 1.30.89 ITA
With the previous Rom I can move shortcuts in Start>Programs in sub-folders created by me (for example: PIE in a folder called Web)
But now i see the shortcuts (of the pre-installed applications in Rom as Word, Excel, Agenda....) in Programs are hidden files and I can't move to my customized folders, i get an error !
I have an italian OS and the error is "Accesso negato" (probably in English is "Access denied")
Same error when i try to modify the registry from PC with Mobile Registry Editor or Smartione.
What's up ? :shock:
Is not my first Pocket PC and with all my past device i always was able to move folders in Programs and edit the registry from PC, but now I don't know what can I do...
Anyone with this issue ?
Thanks :wink:
answer
cut and paste the shortcut icons. you will have to have any start menu aplications closed to do this. It will give you an error if you try to move those icons if you don't close those programs also clear out all the checkmarks under start-settings-menu. this should help
I had this issue as well on my Dopod 900. These files seem to be classified as System Files now and are hidden.
I was using Resco File Explorer and it could not see these files. But checking the box "Show All Files", the files could be seen and moved.
Using File Explorer though, I am pretty sure that it sees the files with no problems. You can move them but you get a prompt saying that this might cause some problems with other software. Just have to click OK and it moves it.
Hope this helps.
Re: answer
sandrobber said:
cut and paste the shortcut icons. you will have to have any start menu aplications closed to do this. It will give you an error if you try to move those icons if you don't close those programs also clear out all the checkmarks under start-settings-menu. this should help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks sandrobber, I always close all the running application before moving the shortcuts and I clear all the checkmarks
@capkapak
You're right when you say "These files seem to be classified as System Files now and are hidden."
Anyway thanks for your suggestion, I can move files with TotalCommander also (not only Resco) and modify the registry with PHM RegEditor
Obviously both installed in my 9000
But i would like move files and modify registry from my PC....
Ps: This is strange for me, I always was able to move files with ActiveSync and modify registry with Smartione without any problems.....
Thanks guys for your replies :wink:
I don't know if it's just me but I have noticed some slightly somewhat "irritating" changes in the latest firmware preventing me for modifying some things as simply as before.
First, the Handango is now in ROM and can not be erased or uninstalled the good old fashioned way.
The panelmanager shortcut is no longer in the startup items.
I may not be looking properly but I can no longer find the "Run" key folder in the Registry to check for startup items there.
As far as I know, Handango is just a shortcut to a website in the newer ROMs. You can delete it out of the Programs folder.
Nope
Nope, I opened the .lnk and it links to the Handango program in the windows folder, which of course I am not allowed to delete because it is "In ROM".
I some how deleted it form windows following a different link. I'll update when I find out again!
So I added MP3 Trimmer to my kitchen, but moved the location of the start icon to a Tools folder. The problem: an MP3 Trimmer icon remains in the initial start page. There is no associated .lnk file in the Start Menu\Programs folder, and the registry HKLM\Security\Shell\Startinfo\Start has the reference to the link in the correct spot.
I have tried placing the link by moving it from the default location with a MortScript, and by changing the app.dat. Same results.
I have done this same move with many other packages, this is the only one causing any problems.
No other references to MP3 Trimmer.lnk exist in the registry or kitchen. Why is it displayed in the start menu when no .lnk is present, and where is that information coming from? Thanks!
Did you check your Initflashfile.dat ?
Also the language folder may contain a app.dat or .provxml file which creates the shortcut
I didn't bothered about two folders that was empty in "\windows\start menu\programs\" until I read this post. I found one of them in Initflashfile.dat, "Outlook" and had deleted the line away. I'm still unable to find the other folder "Start Menu". It's not in Initflashfile.dat, nor any of the xml or proxml files in the "OEM Packages" folder. :-(
Check for some App.dat in EXT folder or a provxml in Project A.
Both OsKitchen and EVK has a search string inside,use it to find your dead folder.
zard said:
I didn't bothered about two folders that was empty in "\windows\start menu\programs\" until I read this post. I found one of them in Initflashfile.dat, "Outlook" and had deleted the line away. I'm still unable to find the other folder "Start Menu". It's not in Initflashfile.dat, nor any of the xml or proxml files in the "OEM Packages" folder. :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
af974 said:
Check for some App.dat in EXT folder or a provxml in Project A.
Both OsKitchen and EVK has a search string inside,use it to find your dead folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using OSKitchen. It's not in provxml in Project A. I tried using search in OSKitchen to search "Start Menu" and "Start*.*" but can't find it. :-(
Ok, i dunno why you didnt find nothing ...anyway, cook the attached file in your rom, i have set it for deleting any Start Menu.lnk in Start Menu\Programs.
Basically you can use it for deleting any dead links.
If it doesnt work try to leave ".lnk" after Start Menu.
It is a mortscript , i have include also Mortscript package in case you dont have it.
zard said:
I'm using OSKitchen. It's not in provxml in Project A. I tried using search in OSKitchen to search "Start Menu" and "Start*.*" but can't find it. :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zard said:
I'm using OSKitchen. It's not in provxml in Project A. I tried using search in OSKitchen to search "Start Menu" and "Start*.*" but can't find it. :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably can't find it because of hexadecimal or html entities values in which the shortcut name is probably encoded into, try looking for the encoded values instead.
Check to make sure autoshortcut isn't doing it (it could be in a reg file). Autoshortcut sucks, but I don't know if it's still used.
airxtreme said:
You probably can't find it because of hexadecimal or html entities values in which the shortcut name is probably encoded into, try looking for the encoded values instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try hexadecimal and html but still couldn't find it. I'm using v1.31. Maybe it is the format of the search that I'm not doing right.
af974 said:
Ok, i dunno why you didnt find nothing ...anyway, cook the attached file in your rom, i have set it for deleting any Start Menu.lnk in Start Menu\Programs.
Basically you can use it for deleting any dead links.
If it doesnt work try to leave ".lnk" after Start Menu.
It is a mortscript , i have include also Mortscript package in case you dont have it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this but unfortunately, my kitchen is screwed up when I tried out your packages. My kitchen was alright before that. Even unchecking the two packages didn't help.
Don't worry, I'm not blaming you for the problem in my kitchen. Will have to find out what went wrong before I can test your packages again and hopefully, it can solve the problem since I can't find the culprit within my packages.
Farmer Ted said:
Check to make sure autoshortcut isn't doing it (it could be in a reg file). Autoshortcut sucks, but I don't know if it's still used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still very new to cooking so don't know what you meant by "Autoshortcut". :-(
HTC puts a file called autoshortcut.exe in one of the oem folders. It runs during customization, and creates shortcuts for htc apps. There are reg keys in the apps that get the shortcuts.
oooo__OoO__oooo said:
So I added MP3 Trimmer to my kitchen, but moved the location of the start icon to a Tools folder. The problem: an MP3 Trimmer icon remains in the initial start page. There is no associated .lnk file in the Start Menu\Programs folder, and the registry HKLM\Security\Shell\Startinfo\Start has the reference to the link in the correct spot.
I have tried placing the link by moving it from the default location with a MortScript, and by changing the app.dat. Same results.
I have done this same move with many other packages, this is the only one causing any problems.
No other references to MP3 Trimmer.lnk exist in the registry or kitchen. Why is it displayed in the start menu when no .lnk is present, and where is that information coming from? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is 100 % a app.dat or initflashfiles.dat issue. Or a reg in the 0409 folder.
Also when looking in you initflashfiles be careful to look for entries that point to Windows\Start Menu
instead of Windows\Start Menu\Programs
bobsbbq said:
It is 100 % a app.dat or initflashfiles.dat issue. Or a reg in the 0409 folder.
Also when looking in you initflashfiles be careful to look for entries that point to Windows\Start Menu
instead of Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I'm talking about is behavior on the phone itself. Let's assume my kitchen searches have been wrong and it really is an app.dat issue. I have a shortcut that exists in the start menu with no associated link file or reg entry -- so there's nothing to delete to get rid of the shortcut on the actual phone!
Kitchen searches result in only the expected "MP3 Trimmer.lnk" locations and "MP3Trimmer.exe" text.
As far as I can tell, ManilaShortcut.exe only makes shortcuts for HTC People and HTC Calendar (but I have IsShortcutEnable = 0 to keep those from popping up). MP3 Trimmer isn't in the original ROM from which the Manila is based, so it's possible there's something going on there.
It's not a huge issue so I haven't been spending a lot of time trying to find or fix it, but I'm virtually out of bugs to fix. What's bothering me more is something seemingly simple that I don't understand.
oooo__OoO__oooo said:
What I'm talking about is behavior on the phone itself. Let's assume my kitchen searches have been wrong and it really is an app.dat issue. I have a shortcut that exists in the start menu with no associated link file or reg entry -- so there's nothing to delete to get rid of the shortcut on the actual phone!
Kitchen searches result in only the expected "MP3 Trimmer.lnk" locations and "MP3Trimmer.exe" text.
As far as I can tell, ManilaShortcut.exe only makes shortcuts for HTC People and HTC Calendar (but I have IsShortcutEnable = 0 to keep those from popping up). MP3 Trimmer isn't in the original ROM from which the Manila is based, so it's possible there's something going on there.
It's not a huge issue so I haven't been spending a lot of time trying to find or fix it, but I'm virtually out of bugs to fix. What's bothering me more is something seemingly simple that I don't understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how frustrating this is and I have had the same in the past. I know this is not what you want to hear but the fact is there is only a few ways for a shortcut to be created. Mainly initflashfiles.dat to move or rename shortcuts, and app.reg or rgu files to create shortcuts, and by way of provxml file. The chances are 99% one of the above. But there is also the possibility of shortcuts to be created by mortscript as well but if it is your kitchen I would think you would know if you created a mortscript. There is also the Older HTC Auto shortcut found in some reg files.
I know it is sometimes hard to find but you will eventually find it.
By the way where did the package from the MP3 trimmer come from? Was it from a chinese ROM?
af974 said:
Ok, i dunno why you didnt find nothing ...anyway, cook the attached file in your rom, i have set it for deleting any Start Menu.lnk in Start Menu\Programs.
Basically you can use it for deleting any dead links.
If it doesnt work try to leave ".lnk" after Start Menu.
It is a mortscript , i have include also Mortscript package in case you dont have it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bobsbbq said:
It is 100 % a app.dat or initflashfiles.dat issue. Or a reg in the 0409 folder.
Also when looking in you initflashfiles be careful to look for entries that point to Windows\Start Menu
instead of Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bobsbbq said:
I know how frustrating this is and I have had the same in the past. I know this is not what you want to hear but the fact is there is only a few ways for a shortcut to be created. Mainly initflashfiles.dat to move or rename shortcuts, and app.reg or rgu files to create shortcuts, and by way of provxml file. The chances are 99% one of the above. But there is also the possibility of shortcuts to be created by mortscript as well but if it is your kitchen I would think you would know if you created a mortscript. There is also the Older HTC Auto shortcut found in some reg files.
I know it is sometimes hard to find but you will eventually find it.
By the way where did the package from the MP3 trimmer come from? Was it from a chinese ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I was trying to improve on the response of my Contacts in Manila 2018 by mixing and matching 2016 and 2018 tabs, I took the opportunity to continue to search the elusive "Start Menu" folder in my Start Menu.
I was still not able to find it in the initflashfiles, nor dat, app.reg or proxmls. I modified the mortscript that af974 gave me into "Delete("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Start Menu.lnk")" and ran it from SD Card. Even after soft reset, the "Start Menu" folder is still there.
What I find strange is that in my \Windows directory, there was no "Start Menu.lnk" - I'm using Resco Explorer and is able to see hidden files. But in \Windows\Start Menu\Programs, I could see "Start Menu" folder. I was able to delete it using Resco Explorer.
bobsbbq said:
I know how frustrating this is and I have had the same in the past. I know this is not what you want to hear but the fact is there is only a few ways for a shortcut to be created. Mainly initflashfiles.dat to move or rename shortcuts, and app.reg or rgu files to create shortcuts, and by way of provxml file. The chances are 99% one of the above. But there is also the possibility of shortcuts to be created by mortscript as well but if it is your kitchen I would think you would know if you created a mortscript. There is also the Older HTC Auto shortcut found in some reg files.
I know it is sometimes hard to find but you will eventually find it.
By the way where did the package from the MP3 trimmer come from? Was it from a chinese ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the best of my ability utilizing search there is no reference to the link or the executable in any initflashfiles.dat/app.dat/.reg/.rgu/.*xml. Even the hex coded .dat entries still refer to a "normal" name.lnk, so my search should uncover those.
I pulled the MP3 Trimmer from the Rhodium 2.07 EXT latest packages, which is from an asian ROM at least judging from the links in the original app.dat.
No autoshortcut.exe exists in the ROM. The MP3 Trimmer and a bunch of other packages create an AutoShortcut key, but there's nothing under that so I'm not sure exactly how it's used (and it would therefore be present even if I deleted it from the trimmer package).
My guess is that it has to be either the start menu initial creation process some Manila initialization process that is creating the initial link. How it gets into a state where it remains in the start menu but no information exists to delete it is the 2nd question -- where is that information??
I've verified if I delete \Windows\Start Menu\Programs, then copy the directory structure back in the link goes away. This could be a solution long term, but I was trying to stick to the automatic creation process as much as possible.
Thanks to those who have responded and provided input so far.
Looking at a stock rom dump for the raphael, the autoshortcut operations are in a .provxml in the 0409 folders, like this:
Code:
<wap-provisioningdoc>
<characteristic type="Registry">
<characteristic type="HKLM\SOFTWARE\HTC\AutoShortcut">
<parm name="\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Streaming Media.lnk" value="\Windows\Streaming Media.lnk" datatype="string" translation="install"/>
<parm name="\Windows\Help\Streaming Media.lnk" value="\Windows\Help_Streaming Media.lnk" datatype="string" translation="install"/>
</characteristic>
</characteristic>
</wap-provisioningdoc>
The autoshortcut.exe is in oemdrivers. I really don't even know what the point of it is; I guess it's for book-keeping, to keep track in the registry of all the shortcuts being moved around. It could just be done by a provxml file operation instead of by autoshortcut during customization, but whatever, that's how it's done. Just try deleting the autoshortcut references. Heck, delete or rename the shortcut in the kitchen and send it to the start menu a different way (like by renaming it while copying it with an app.dat file).
Farmer Ted said:
Heck, delete or rename the shortcut in the kitchen and send it to the start menu a different way (like by renaming it while copying it with an app.dat file).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I'm going to modify the orignal post as solved, because this simple idea (which of course didn't occur to me) is the ticket. I renamed the .lnk to .link in the kitchen and it's renamed back to .lnk when copied by the app.dat. Presto change-o, no MP3 Trimmer.lnk file in \Windows. Works like a charm.