Vic's Registry RoundUp and DOS Den
~~Vic Ferri, Win Tips and Tricks

Run Box Secret

Something I learned through trial and error back when Windows 95 was the latest Microsoft OS. However, it applies to all Windows systems that use a Dos Run box (Start>Run)

Did you know you can create your own Run box " *.exe" path to any program or folder on your computer? 

We're not talking about shortcuts here, but creating your own real application paths for the Windows shell. For example, you can make a path simply named S that, when entered in the Run box, would open the Advanced Start Menu folder. Or, you could use the letter X or any other letter or word to launch Explorer. You can customize the Run Box commands completely - it's all up to you - choose any word to open any folder or application. And the app name you choose will also be recognized in a batch file or at the Windows DOS prompt when used in conjunction with the Start command, ie: using the above example of associating the letter S with the Start menu, you would just enter Start S in a batch file or at a dos prompt to open the Start menu. And it's very easy to do, once you know the secret which is stored in this Registry key:

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths 

When Windows starts an application (via the Run Box), it will look at this key and associate the application to the folder or program referenced. For example, using the S example again, when you type the letter S in the Run box and click OK, Windows will look at the above Registry key for S.exe and launch the program that has been associated with it. Each application name is a sub key of the AppPaths key, Knowing this, it becomes possible to edit these pointers, create your own or just add alternate ones to existing paths.

So here's how to make your own application path - I'll use the Start Menu example for this:

1. Click Start>Run, type in regedit, click OK and go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

2. Right click the AppPaths key and choose New>Key and name it S.EXE

3. In the right hand pane for your new S.EXE app, double click Default and for the value enter: C:\WINDOWS\startm~1

4. Exit the Registry, refresh your computer, and you're done.

Now test it out - Click Start>Run, type in S (the exe extension is not necessary) and click Ok. The Start Menu should open. Note, that I used the MS DOS short name format for the path, but you don't have to. Entering C:\Windows\Start Menu would work as well. The only difference is that with the DOS short name convention, entering startm~1 in the Run box, would open the Start Menu without having to enclose the name in quotations as in "Start Menu". But since, in this example, a simple S is being used to open the Start Menu, it really makes no difference which format you use.

You can also set your own application paths for programs or edit existing ones (the S example was to open a folder, not launch a program). To do that you also have to create a new String value named Path and enter the path. The best way to learn this is to just look at the existing entries. It is very easy. For example, the app path for Internet Explorer is IEXPLORE.EXE. By default, IEXPLORE.EXE is located in "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer".  That is the path. Assuming you wanted to create a new path that would launch Explorer in the Run box by just entering X, you would simply create a new sub key named X.EXE and for the default value enter: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE or C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\iexplore.exe.  Then you would right click in the right hand pane and create a New>String Value named Path and enter: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer OR C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1 as the value. You can just copy and paste those values from the existing ones entered in your own IEXPLORE.EXE key if one exists on your system.

If you like using the Run Box, go ahead and use your imagination to create any new app path keys you want. This type of reg hacking is safe and harmless.

Vic Ferri owns the very popular WinTips and Tricks and Registry Answers. Subscribe to either and receive free Windows and Registry Tips. He is also in charge of the Printing Tips pages at Linda's Computer Stop. Vic has also created a program which allows you to Lock & Hide desktop folders in Windows 9X/ME. Read more and get the free demo here. And, he now offers a service to convert PowerPoint presentations to .exe files which can be viewed on computers which do not have PowerPoint installed.