How do I make my own .exe file?

XxSaberxX

I have a couple of files spread out over different directories that I want to open regularly, one after another but it a hassle to jump in and out of folders just to open them one by one. That's why I'm wondering if there is a way to create a .exe file that opens multiple .exe/.dat files when clicked, opening them in order and maybe possibly having a time interval in between the starting of each file (one of them is a server program). If yes, how do I do it?

Thrax

http://lifehacker.com/5043134/startup-delayer-staggers-your-startup-apps-for-smoother-loading

XxSaberxX

hmm...thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not looking to start the apps at every startup. it's just for convenience that if i want to start the group of apps, I was wondering if there's a way to do it with just a d-click on a personally created .exe file.

Thrax

You could make a batch file...

XxSaberxX

how to do it?

CB

You cannot create your own EXE file. EXEs have to be compiled from code, and rely on external resources. That's not what you want. Thrax has the right of it: You want a BAT file, and it's relatively easy to create.

Open notepad, and enter a list of commands the same way you would type them in the 'Run' box from the Start menu, then save that file with a BAT extension and you're done. You can get the commands you want from looking at the properties of your shortcuts.

Here's an example:

I can create a Batch file that opens steam and Winamp together by creating a file that looks like this on the inside:

G:\steam\steam.exe
C:\programs\winamp\winamp.exe

then call that file steamandwinamp.bat, and I'm done.

XxSaberxX

thanks! but there's no way to insert a timing interval between the starting of each file/program?

CB

You would use the CHOICE command. You're looking at learning batch syntax if you want to do stuff like that.

Google "batch syntax" or "batch syntax choice" (without quotes), and read up. It looks complicated at first, but when when it comes down to it it's pretty easy to handle if you already have some experience with any other coding syntax.

XxSaberxX

thanks a lot!

kryyst

Another option would be to use AutoIT. It's a programing/scripting tool that allows you to make some incredibly powerful tools. The main function of it is to make handy little tools that automate things. You then compile that tool into an exe.

So you could make a tool that opens program 1 waits 10 seconds opens program 2 etc....

In your particular case a .bat file would work just as well. But for things more complicated AutoIt is awesome.

XxSaberxX

o_O

XxSaberxX

How do i use a .bat file to close programs then?

CB

That's not something a bat file can do, afaik.

kryyst

AutoIt could do that.

Thrax

Indeed it could.

Run("X:\whatever.exe")
sleep(10)
Run("X:\whatever.exe")
sleep(10)

then for closing...

Opt("WinTitleMatchMode", 2)
WinClose("Window title")

MiracleManS

CB wrote:

That's not something a bat file can do, afaik.

I think taskkill filename would work. Wouldn't it?

Thrax

Yes: taskkill /F /IM whatever.exe /T