question about the "Run" command found in the start menu

[Cristatus]

Some programs can be launched by typing in the program name, and it will run the program for you.
For example, if you type: "firefox" (without the " "), Windows will run the program for you. Also, if you have left "My Documents" where it is originally installed, when you type in "My Documents" (again, without the " "), it will take you to My Documents.

Recently, I formatted my computer, and decided to keep My Documents on another partition, and therefore, i need a new command to get "My Documents" in the Run command to point to my new location. Is this possible? This would also be helpful for other programs (e.g.: typing in "winamp" to launch winamp).

p.s.: the Run command is the on when you go to "Start -> Run"; or press the Windows key and the R key at the same time.

TIA

 

[WannaFly]

It keeps a history, so if you type in the Drive letter, then the path, It will remember it, but each time from there on out you'll have to type the drive letter, not just "My Documents". Same for each program.

 

[Cristatus]

WannaFly: you didn't understand my question properly. Maybe i should restate the question:

is it possible to make your own program run by typing the name of the program in the run box. for example, i guess winamp would be a popular choice. Try typing winamp in the Run dialog, and it will not run, provided that you have installed winamp on your computer. now try typing in iexplore, and internet explorer will open up. what i want to do is to get winamp to run by typing it in the run dialog box, just like internet explorer.

 

[biostud]

go to system in control panel -> choose advanced tab -> environment variables -> Path
edit this and add the directory of the file you want to be able to run like this (don't delete the stuff already in this variable):
c:\windows\system32\;...........c:\program files\winamp;

 

[CTho9305]

for foo.exe, create a key:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\foo.exe

add a string called Path and set it to the folder containing the exe. the (Default) shoudl be a string with the full exe (folder path + exe name).

I don't know about special folders like "My Documents".

 

[Cristatus]

Originally posted by: biostud
go to system in control panel -> choose advanced tab -> environment variables -> Path
edit this and add the directory of the file you want to be able to run like this (don't delete the stuff already in this variable):
c:\windows\system32\;...........c:\program files\winamp;

haven't tried you method yet (will do later), but won't that be messy. Especially since i want to have so many different shortcuts. isn't there a "cleaner" way to do this?

 

[Cristatus]

*bump*

p.s.: still haven't tried biostud's method, maybe tmrw, when i wake up, i shall try it.

 

[CTho9305]

Did you try my suggestion? Biostud's suggestion will leave you with a really long and messy %PATH%.

 

[igowerf]

Download PowerToys TweakUI and you can tell Windows to use the new folder as the official "My Documents" folder. This way, you can type "My Documents" and it will go to the new folder. Any Windows references/shortcuts to My Documents will also point to the new folder.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: igowerf
Download PowerToys TweakUI and you can tell Windows to use the new folder as the official "My Documents" folder. This way, you can type "My Documents" and it will go to the new folder. Any Windows references/shortcuts to My Documents will also point to the new folder.

You don't need TweakUI for that, it's in the properties dialog box for the My Documents folder.

Edit: Nevermind, the command line still links to the default location.

I'm amazed by the extents people go to to avoid using their mouse... I just put a my My Documents folder in the quicklaunch bar

 

[Cristatus]

mugs: i'm not avoiding using my mouse, i just don't like it... because it's a touch pad, and they're nasty.

CTho9305:you suggestion was only for foo, what about other programs?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: logic1485
mugs: i'm not avoiding using my mouse, i just don't like it... because it's a touch pad, and they're nasty.

Ooooh, I agree with you there.

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: logic1485
CTho9305:you suggestion was only for foo, what about other programs?

Oh, I assumed you'd understand... "foo" is a placeholder. If you need to do it with winamp, you'd create the key: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\winamp.exe
And your path would probably be something like C:\Program Files\winamp, with a (Default) value of C:\Program Files\winamp

If you wanted to do it for Firefox, your key would be HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\firefox.exe with path C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\ and (Default) set to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

Note that your paths might vary depending on where you installed things to.

Regarding mouse vs. keyboard, it's MUCH faster to hit win+r, "firefox", enter, than click start, click programs, click mozilla firefox, and click firefox.

 

[Nithin]

if you create a short cut in the start menu, you can assign shortcut keys to it. firefox win+z, outlook win+o, etc.
i think that would be the fastest for frequent programs

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: CTho9305

Originally posted by: logic1485
CTho9305:you suggestion was only for foo, what about other programs?

Regarding mouse vs. keyboard, it's MUCH faster to hit win+r, "firefox", enter, than click start, click programs, click mozilla firefox, and click firefox.

But, it's even faster to just click on the Firefox icon that sitting in your quick-launch bar, eh? Especially if you drag it to the right-hand side of your desktop.

1 mouse-click vs 10 keystrokes ?