making a shortcut to simultaneously launch two applications?

Bellator · May 31, 2006, 05:23 PM

I use both firefox and the Internet Download Manager... I really don't want IDM to launch at windows start, and would rather it launch when I launch firefox. I tried adding the .exe target link for IDM to the firefox shortcut, but when I open firefox it opens a dialog asking where I want to save the .exe (?) instead of actually running it.

Is there anyway to simultaneously launch two apps via one shortcut?

Tanx

PangingJr · May 31, 2006, 05:55 PM

try using one of this batch... not sure if this is what you want though

anyname.bat

start "" "C:\Program Files\<program_1_folder>\program_1.exe"
start "" "%ProgramFiles%\<program_2_folder>\program_2.e xe"

or...

anyname.cmd

@echo off
cd /d "E:\Program Files\<program_1_folder>"
start /high /MIN program_1.exe
echo.
cd /d "F:\Program Files\<program_2_folder>"
start program_2.exe
cls
exit

PangingJr · Jun 1, 2006, 05:17 AM

so how's it going?

Bellator · Jun 1, 2006, 06:31 PM

it turns out IDM will auto launch when it detects a download, even if it isn't started at startup (or at all).... which confuses me. There are no IDM background tasks running, none listed to run in msconfig-startup, and no services for IDM listed in msconfig-services or the main services.msc... So how does it detect a download and 'know' to start itself up??

Im definitely likin the browser integration, even if i dont understand how it works with nothing running in the background...

Thanks for that code tho, should still come in handy even if i dont need it for IDM

PangingJr · Jun 3, 2006, 05:06 AM

download manager monitors browser clicks, and depending on what you have set the program to do... it also monitors for a valid URL that you copy to the clipboard. to do these the download managers uses activeX controls for IE, and imprements plug-ins in other web browser, such as Opera, Mozilla-based browsers.

and no problem for the batch files info. you know you can create shortcut to the actual batch file with any icons that your preferred.

May 31, 2006, 05:23 PM	#1
Bellator DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 166 Rep Power: 0	making a shortcut to simultaneously launch two applications? I use both firefox and the Internet Download Manager... I really don't want IDM to launch at windows start, and would rather it launch when I launch firefox. I tried adding the .exe target link for IDM to the firefox shortcut, but when I open firefox it opens a dialog asking where I want to save the .exe (?) instead of actually running it. Is there anyway to simultaneously launch two apps via one shortcut? Tanx

May 31, 2006, 05:55 PM	#2
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 70	try using one of this batch... not sure if this is what you want though anyname.bat start "" "C:\Program Files\<program_1_folder>\program_1.exe" start "" "%ProgramFiles%\<program_2_folder>\program_2.e xe" or... anyname.cmd @echo off cd /d "E:\Program Files\<program_1_folder>" start /high /MIN program_1.exe echo. cd /d "F:\Program Files\<program_2_folder>" start program_2.exe cls exit

Jun 1, 2006, 05:17 AM	#3
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 70	so how's it going?

Jun 1, 2006, 06:31 PM	Thread Starter #4
Bellator DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 166 Rep Power: 0	it turns out IDM will auto launch when it detects a download, even if it isn't started at startup (or at all).... which confuses me. There are no IDM background tasks running, none listed to run in msconfig-startup, and no services for IDM listed in msconfig-services or the main services.msc... So how does it detect a download and 'know' to start itself up?? Im definitely likin the browser integration, even if i dont understand how it works with nothing running in the background... Thanks for that code tho, should still come in handy even if i dont need it for IDM

Jun 3, 2006, 05:06 AM	#5
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 70	download manager monitors browser clicks, and depending on what you have set the program to do... it also monitors for a valid URL that you copy to the clipboard. to do these the download managers uses activeX controls for IE, and imprements plug-ins in other web browser, such as Opera, Mozilla-based browsers. and no problem for the batch files info. you know you can create shortcut to the actual batch file with any icons that your preferred.