This program is a 32-bit console application with purpose to create shortcuts.
This can be a PIF or a LNK shortcut. PIF shortcuts are generally used for DOS
application and batch files. LNK files are used for windows applications and
batch files under NT.

This program is based on a lot of experimental information. Most of it I found
on the internet, some I determined myself.

Only a small part of all the possible settings of a shortcut can be set by
this program. Only those I found necessary are changeable. For all the other
settings the default is taken.

For PIF files there seems to be no API call available to create one and
Microsoft also doesn't provide any information about its layout (not to my
knowledge anyway). So the PIF file part is completely unofficial.

For LNK files there are API calls available, and they are used in this program,
but not everything can be set with these calls. Especially the DOS/console
specific settings can not be set by these API calls (again not to my knowledge).

This program has been tested under WIN 95, NT4 and NT2000 for both PIF and
LNK files.

Use this program at your own risk. The author cannot be made responsible for
any loss or damage of data or any other consequences by using this program.

If you have any ideas to improve it or find bugs, you may always send me
a mail and if its reasonable enough I will incorporate it in the program.

By the way, I also include the source code of this program. You may do with it
whatever you want.
If you do change code (to improve it), I would appreciate it if you send me
the changes.


The help screen of the program should say enough:

CreShort Version 1.0 - Create Windows shortcut

CreShort [options] Shortcut Title Command [Directory] [Args] [Icon [Index]]

- If Shortcut has no extension then operating system chooses between LNK and
  PIF file, depending on Command.
- If Shortcut has extension .PIF then a PIF file is created.
- If Shortcut has extension .LNK then generally a LNK file is created, except
  if the operating system determines that the application requires a PIF file,
  in which case a PIF file will be created with extension .PIF.
- Non-existent directories in Shortcut are created automatically.
- If spaces are needed in one of the arguments then use quotes around argument.
- Optional arguments may also be specified as "".

 Options:
   /d Systemdir: Create shortcut in Systemdir. Possible values for Systemdir:
     COMMON_STARTMENU: ...\All Users\Start Menu
     COMMON_PROGRAMS : ...\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
     COMMON_STARTUP  : ...\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
     COMMON_DESKTOP  : ...\All Users\Desktop
     STARTMENU       : ...\user\Start Menu
     PROGRAMS        : ...\user\Start Menu\Programs
     STARTUP         : ...\user\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
     DESKTOP         : ...\user\Desktop
     SENDTO          : ...\user\SendTo
    - If COMMON dir is non-existent then user dir is used instead.
    - If this option is used then Shortcut must be relative.
   /m: Start application minimized
   /M: Start application maximized (default)
   /n: Start application in normal window
   /b: Suspend application in background (neglected for .LNK file)
   /B: Run application in background (default)
   /c: Do not close window on exit (neglected for .LNK file)
   /C: Close window on exit (default)
   /f: Run application in window (default)
   /F: Run application full screen
   /t: Do not show toolbar (default)
   /T: Show toolbar (Win 95/98) (neglected for .LNK file)


Peter Notebaert
peno@telenet.be