Is it possible to create a shortcut to a folder using Build Distributions Edit Installer?

[flash7ok]

I would like to create a shortcut to a folder in my distribution where some user data resides.  Even a shortcut to the application folder itself would be helpful.  I'm trying to make the shortcut in Start>>Programs, but one can imagine having a desktop shortcut, too.

In the Shortcuts tab in (Build Distributions) Edit Installer, I can enter a Name (<folderName>) and Destination Directory  [Start>>Programs]\<appName>, for example, but there are no folders/directories available in the Target File drop down list.

On the Files tab in Edit Installer, you can't enter a folder in the Add File, so I don't see how to do what I want.  Am I missing some easy step?

[Mert_A.]

Unfortunately, that is not a feature of the CVI distribution builder.  I encourage you to submit that feature request, if it's something you feel is lacking.

In the meantime, you could create a simple .bat file that just contains the command "explorer" and install that to the user data directory.  Then you can create a shortcut to that .bat file.  You can change the shortcut to run minimized (double click the shortcut name to bring up the Shortcut Properties dialog) in order to keep the command window from flashing up.  You can also have your .bat file install itself as a hidden file (double click the file to bring up the properties dialog) to reduce its visibility.  I realize this has some drawbacks (e.g. the shortcut will have a batch file icon, you have to keep a batch file laying around in the directory), but hopefully it will serve your purposes.

Mert A.
National Instruments