windows-shortcut-maker

Native and lightweight module to make file shortcuts on Windows using Node.js.

Based on https://github.com/phtdacosta/windows-shortcut-maker.

This module uses a Windows VBScript file to get native access to the operational system API responsible for making file shortcuts.

Why this module is great?

• Although it is native, there is no need to compile anything.
• It is totally open source and uses no binary files, no external dependencies and no bizarre workarounds.
• Supports all Windows NT 4.0 (and beyond) systems.
• The module is extremely small and provides access to the entire API.

Prerequisites

• Node.js >= 14
• npm (preinstalled) or yarn

Installation

ℹ️ This is a hybrid CommonJS / ESM module.

Run yarn global add @ffflorian/windows-shortcut-maker or npm i -g @ffflorian/windows-shortcut-maker

Basic usage

// Requires the Windows Shortcut Maker module
import {make, makeSync, ShortcutOptions} from 'windows-shortcut-maker';

// Creates an object to store all parameters to be passed to the Windows API
const options: ShortcutOptions = {
  filepath: 'C:\\Program Files\\GIMP 2\\bin\\gimp-2.8.exe',
};

// Creates a "GIMP" shortcut file on the desktop
sm.make(options).catch(error => {
  console.error(error);
});

// Creates an object to store all parameters to be passed to the Windows API
const options: ShortcutOptions = {
  filepath: 'C:\\Program Files\\GIMP 2\\bin\\gimp-2.8.exe',
  linkFilepath: '.',
};

// Synchronously creates a "GIMP" shortcut file in the current directory
try {
  sm.makeSync(options);
} catch (error) {
  console.error(error);
}

Documentation

make(options)

Returns void after asynchronously executing the wrapped script which makes the Windows API calls or throws an Error if no valid filepath parameter property was previously specified.

options is an Object that organizedly stores the properties used by the function. Each one is covered below.

options.filepath is the absolute path including the name of which file should the module make a shortcut. It is required for the function to work.

Optional: options.force create the shortcut even if the original file cannot be found.

Optional: options.linkArgs are the arguments passed to the original file when the new shortcut is executed.

Optional: options.linkCwd is the absolute path in which folder the original file should start executing.

Optional: options.linkDescription is the description message shown when the cursor stands over the new shortcut without clicking it.

Optional: options.linkFilepath is the folder where to save the link (default is the current user's desktop)

Optional: options.linkHotkey is the key combination that is going to trigger the new shortcut execution. (e.g. 'ALT+CTRL+F')

Optional: options.linkIcon is the absolute path to an .ico extension image used as the icon for the new shortcut.

Optional: options.linkName is the name given for the new shortcut file which obeys the same name rules as a regular file does.

Optional: options.linkWindowMode is the initial window mode adopted by the original file when executed. (e.g. 3 is maximized, 4 is normal and 7 is minimized)

makeSync(options)

Returns void after synchronously executing the wrapped script which makes the Windows API calls or throws an Error if no valid filepath parameter property was previously specified.

The API is the same as makeSync()