Question

I have always thought that replacing the normal windows desktop icons with an “active desktop” html page which can launch my programs, as well as open directories and files through links. This would be a really cool way to customize one’s desktop.

Using the “file://” protocal was my first approach but this does not work correctly. In another SO Post I found this link but its a little over my head. Is this the correct approach?

I can’t imagine that I am the first one to consider this; it seems like a good idea (no?). What do you all think?

Answer 1

I like the idea of active desktop for a desktop customization. What you can do is register your own schema

Add a Registry entry.
Here is the first example I worked with.

Add This to a .reg file and Import into the registry.
Change “myschema” and the location of the executable to match your own needs

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\myschema]
@="URL:My Schema Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\myschema\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\Program Files\\MySchemaProgram\\MySchema.exe,1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\myschema\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\myschema\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\myschema\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\MySchemaProgram\\MySchema.exe\" \"%1\""

Now if you create a hyperlink

<a href="myschema://Whatever+i+want" >Click Here</a> 

Your computer will open your MySchema Application with the href in the command line.

just be mindful because Ervironment.CommandLine will be UTF Decoded therefore

//This Link
<a href="myschema://Something%20Here">Click Here</a>

//Will Result in This Command Line Execution.
"C:\Program Files\MySchemaProgram\MySchema.exe" myschema://Something Here

You can also use this schema in the ShellExecute commands as well as the Run Dialog.

Here is the example program I used to get started with. You should be able to get the idea pretty quick

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;

namespace Alert
{
  class Program
  {
    static string ProcessInput(string s)
    {
       // TODO Verify and validate the input 
       // string as appropriate for your application.
       return s;
    }

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
      Console.WriteLine("Alert.exe invoked with the following parameters.\r\n");
      Console.WriteLine("Raw command-line: \n\t" + Environment.CommandLine);

      Console.WriteLine("\n\nArguments:\n");
      foreach (string s in args)
      {
        Console.WriteLine("\t" + ProcessInput(s));
      }
      Console.WriteLine("\nPress any key to continue...");
      Console.ReadKey();
    }
  }
}

best of luck with your application. I would be eager to see it when it is complete.

EDIT: I am adding some matching strings for this as it is a cool feature and more people may want to use this technique for something they wanted to do.. These are the things i looked for it under, (unsuccessfully) Let me know if anyone thinks of any more.

custom url/uri handler
custom schema program
registry web address program
handle web link
launch app from url