Classic Shell: Forum

So I'm setting up Windows 7 to have a links toolbar, akin to Windows 98/XP. I have a button set up to not have an icon, and to have a drop-down menu that's a shortcut to where I'm going to hold the links. How can I add a button within the toolbar that adds the current folder to the toolbar? none of the commands seem like it. Is it possible?

You can't do this with custom items because they can't be updated in real time. However you may create a button with both a command and a link. Set the link to point to some folder where you store the shortcuts. Set up the command to create a new shortcut in that folder. You may need some bat file magic or use some other scripting system.

Yeah, what I need help with is setting up the command to store the shortcut there. Do you know what command to use?

You could use a command line program like makelink.exe which is a console tool to create shortcuts (*.LNKs). I've attached it to this forum. Run makelink /? to see its command line syntax.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

You haven't attached it to the forum, and I'm afraid I can't figure it out with that little information. I need to know the command to use to make it create a shortcut to the selected item in explorer, and place it in %USERPROFILE%\Links\Links Toolbar.

I've attached it now. Copy makelink to some directory in your system path e.g. C:\Windows. To create a shortcut to the selected item and place it in a folder use this command:

makelink.exe "%2" -CSIDL:40 -SUBDIR:Links\Links

%2 means selected item. CSIDL value of 40 is the %userprofile% directory. Change the path after that as per your requirement.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Thanks so much!

Oh, and while I'm at it, how can I make an icon not be square? I want to add a "button" to the toolbar that does nothing, but just shows the Windows Classic logo, like 98's explorer has. But, I need an icon to do that, and as far as I know, there's no way to make an icon be wider than it is tall, which is how the picture would fit. Is there a way to not use an icon, and if not, do you plan on adding that in future versions? Here's what I'm trying to add:

The toolbar requires that all icons are the same size and are square. The size of the icons is specified in the "Toolbar Settings" tab. If you have a non-square image you need to pad it or crop it to become square. If the size doesn't match the toolbar icons size the image will be resized.

How do I add padding? And if this doesn't work, and I decide to split into two icons instead, how can I remove the gap between them? And how do I make it un-clickable?

I'm afraid what you are trying to do is not possible.

Currently? You are still adding features to Classic Shell, right? Could something like this be on your list (since it's Classic Shell and that's a classic feature)?

Toolbars are designed to contain buttons of identical size. While it is possible to add a static image to a toolbar, it is not an easy task. It is a cosmetic feature with no practical use. And it doesn't play well with other features, like a customizable button size. So no, it is not something that will happen.

Using this, how can I make it create a shortcut to the current folder if no item is selected?

Use %1 instead of %2. %1=current folder, %2=selected item.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Is there a way to add an "if" argument so I don't need two buttons?

And is there a way to add a button to toggle the status bar?
What about a shortcut to control panel folder options?

I love Classic Shell, and especially you guys' help on it. Don't know what I'd do without it!

You will need to write some script, for example a .bat file. If there is no selected file, %2 would be empty. You can check for that.

I don't know how to make the .bat file with those arguments. I'll need the exact code. I'm afraid I don't understand MakeLink's "help" section. Or do you not know how and I should ask on whatever forums MakeLink has?