[Enhancement] Create link to GUI tool in Start Menu

[Redsandro]

( Split from #215 )

Using the Install-ChocolateyZipPackage command, all .exe files within the .zip file will be installed in it's respective package folder inside **\Chocolatey\lib**; and the executable will be linked in the form of a .bat file in the *\Chocolatey\bin* directory, unless there is an empty .exe.ignore file present to signal the installer not to do this.

However, for most GUI tools, we want a real .lnk file created in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Chocolatey or something, so we can (in Windows Vista/7/8) press Win, start typing, and launch the app.

We wouldn't want to launch most GUI app from the terminal anyway.

[rismoney]

I am not understanding this at all.

Install-ChocolateyZipPackage can specify an unzip location of your choice.
Also it doesn't have to be all files. You can do partial unzips.

I thought we had a helper for making links.

[Redsandro]

The first part is explaining how the Install command works as it is now. The second part explains something I cannot do. What part do I need to explain in a different way?

Can you provide an example or link to documentation for all three?
I haven't seen documentation on this. I will add them to the quick guide.

• Unzip location
• Partial unzip
• (!) Make link in start menu

[rismoney]

The complete parameters are listed in the files
https://github.com/chocolatey/chocolatey/blob/master/src/helpers/functions/Install-ChocolateyZipPackage.ps1
In this case, the 3rd parameter allows you to specify unzip location and the 5th allows you to unzip a single folder within the zip.

so
install-chocolateyzippackage mypackage http://myurl32bit C:\extractionpoint http://myurl64bit onlythisfolder

The params should probably be named, re-positioned and cleaned up, but it will work.
As far as the links, I think @mwrock added a bunch of functionality for links, shortcuts, etc but I haven't any experience with it. Look in https://github.com/chocolatey/chocolatey/tree/master/src/helpers/functions

[Redsandro]

Ah thanks. I see partial unzip is limited for my purposes. So I mentioned it in another Enhancement #220, maybe it can be file-specific.

Wow I see it's actually quite powerful, being able to add file associations and pin stuff. I haven't found the specific start menu functionality yet, but pinning is close in essence.

Once I figure out specific stuff I will add it to the documentation under "examples" or "common tricks", because if it's easier for others to make packages, there is a bigger chance of more people making packages, which (in my opinion) is good. :)

[mwrock]

I dont believe start menu links were added

---

From: "Redsandro" notifications@github.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 8:19 AM
To: "chocolatey/chocolatey" chocolatey@noreply.github.com
Subject: Re: [chocolatey] [Enhancement] Create link to GUI tool in Start Menu (#218)

Ah thanks. I see partial unzip is limited for my purposes. I mentioned it in another Enhancement #220.

Wow I see it's actually quite powerful, being able to add file associations and pin stuff. I haven't found the specific start menu functionality yet, but pinning is close in essence.

Once I figure out specific stuff I will add it to the documentation under "examples" or "common tricks", because if it's easier for others to make packages, there is a bigger chance of more people making packages, which (in my opinion) is good. :) -
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[Redsandro]

I think this comes really close: https://github.com/chocolatey/chocolatey/tree/master/src/helpers/functions

I think only $desktop needs to change in:

$desktop = $([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath([System.Environment+SpecialFolder]::StartMenu))

As seen in this documentation: http://www.programmersheaven.com/2/Les_CSharp_15_p2
Of course renaming $desktop to something sensible like $start

But I'd need someone who actually understands Chocolatey and Powershell to test this and create a directory in the start menu called Chocolatey so Chocolatey-installs won't clutter the root of the start menu, which I don't know how to do.

Am I overlooking something?