Scripting

Why use a script? An MSI can do this for you. Check out MSDN for how to use the RemoveFiles table.

Hello sir!

You are indeed right. But i was under the impression that to use the RemoveFile table you needed to link your file to a Component first right?

Essentially, I'm trying to remove a shortcut from the All Users Desktop. I can't find the shortcut neither in Shortcuts, Shortcuts Table, Custom Action, no where. Hence why I've come to the resolve that removing it via script would solve the problem.

Since I can't find the shortcut in none of the Component's of my MSI, can I still use the RemoveFile Table even tough the file doesn't seem to be linked no where?

Stephane, just create a new component called.......oooooooooh, I don't know......RemoveShortcut and link to that.

You use WPS, right?

What you may need to consider is that the file might be created there with a custom action or external process that takes place after the RemoveFile action. I agree that you should try the RemoveFile table first though.

This is one of my favorite sites on the internet:
http://www.cruto.com/resources/vbscript/vbscript-examples/vbscript-sitemap.asp

Hello guys!

Ok, so here I am, on this problem again. I did as suggested by Ian, to no avail. I think I'm having exactly what TK implied: my shortcut is created after the RemoveFile action. Now, I tried circumventing this by copying the RemoveFile action from my custom action to Remove File 1 and placing it at the end of my custom actions list. However, this was not a success since other actions seem to depend upon this.

Which leaves me back to my initial solution: scripting a code and embedding it in a CA. (By the way, thanks TK, super site, bookmarked for future use!!!!).

So, is there a way i can map myself directly on the desktop in order to get something along the lines of:

strFilePath = %ALLUSERSPROFILES% & "\Desktop" (using Windows Variables) and/or,
strFilePath = [DesktopFolder] (using Wise Variables)
instead of
strFilePath = "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop"

?

If at all possible, I'd like to avoid having to test for which language of XP is installed before setting my variable.

Anyway, Thanks for your continued help on the matter!

Stephane

I think I'm having exactly what TK implied: my shortcut is created after the RemoveFile action. If it's the case that a CA is creating the shortcut, you can avoid all the heartache you're going through simply by preventing that CA from running. The easiest route is to add an impossible-to-meet condition to it. I normally use '0=1' as it's hard to think of a condition which is more impossible to meet! [waits for lengthy argument from mathemeticians...]

Usually I do something along those lines, but in this case I'm unable to find which custom action creates the shortcut. I've tried browsing the list up and down left and right, nothing. Even a colleague of mine cheked to make sure I wasn't looking with a closed eye. Nada :(

Have you tried:

- a verbose log
- running the MSI through your authoring tool's debugger?

This last is the best option as you can watch the desktop and as soon as the s/c appears, the CA involved (if, indeed, it's created by a CA) will be highlighted.

This will help you deleting the file via VBS Script on all users Desktop folder if file exists:
Example

'this script will check the file exists, and then it will delete it.
Option Explicit
On Error Resume next
Const alluser = &H19&
Dim Objshell
Dim oFSO
Dim filetokill
Dim oAlluser
Dim oAlluserItem

Set oFSO = Createobject("scripting.filesystemobject")
Set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
Set oAlluser = objShell.Namespace(alluser)
Set oAlluserItem = oAlluser.Self

filetokill = oAlluserItem.Path & "\Test.url" 'Just replace this item with your file you want to delete

If oFSO.fileexists (filetokill) Then
oFSO.deletefile (filetokill)
End If
on error goto 0

Cheers

Hi,
still if your shortcut does not get deleted then, check is it a shortcut or just icon created because of namespace registry?

It doesn't matter what kind of file it is. URL, LNK...
The file you wanna get deleted gets deleted...

Cheers