A wrapper class for creating a shortcut (.lnk) and a bookmark (.url) and attaching an online icon to it

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Introduction

If your application needs to create an internet favorite (.url) or desktop shortcut (.lnk), there are a lot of online references. But if:

1. an icon must be attached to the file and
2. the icon is an online resource that needs to be downloaded first

this article could be a help.

The CShortcutNBookmark class encapsulates every job needed: creating a .url or .lnk file, downloading the icon file, and assigning that to a shortcut file. Call the high level functions if you are in a haste. Otherwise look into the low level functions for your study or for more modifications.

Using the code

Just include the .h, and .cpp, then call a function. That's all.

Add "ShortcutNBookmark.h" and "ShortcutNBookmark.cpp" to your project. Add "wininet.lib" in [Project setting]>[Link].

1. Adding a Favorite (".url" file) (maybe under a button):

CShortcutNBookmark csnb;
csnb.AddFavoriteNAttachIcon("GrooveDive"/*title or file name*/, 
         "http://www.groovedive.com"/*target url*/, 
         "http://www.groovedive.com/image/tulip.ico"/*icon url*/);

// csnb.AddFavorite("GrooveDive", "http://www.groovedive.com");
// is also available. this function will use the icon of your application

2. Creating a Desktop Shortcut (".lnk" file) (maybe under a button):

CShortcutNBookmark csnb;
csnb.CreateDesktopShortcutNAttachIcon("GrooveDive"/*title or file name*/,
        "http://www.groovedive.com"/*target url*/, 
        "http://www.groovedive.com/image/tulip.ico"/*icon url*/);

// csnb.CreateDesktopShortcut("GrooveDive", "http://www.groovedive.com");
// is also available. this function will use the icon of your application

Notice

In some cases, the compilation fails with the following link error message:

shell32.lib(shguid.obj) : 
      fatal error LNK1103: debugging information corrupt; recompile module

One reason could be the new SDK library.

1. Go to [Tools]>[Option]>[Directories]>[Library files]
2. Place "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\LIB" (old library) higher than "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT PLATFORM SDK\LIB" (new library)

Note that in Vista, downloading fails due to enhanced security. But there are some folders of low security and the CShortcutNBookmark class downloads files under that path.

History

• 2008.06.28: Created.