Kill a Shortcut

[xyzzyplugh]

I have Windows xp. Something keeps putting the Windows Update shortcut in my Startup folder. I told xp I would update manually. I even disabled it in services at one point. Can I write a .bat file in Notepad:- ' If path filename then delete path filename'? And what is the extension for shortcut? Do I then put a shortcut to my batch file in the startup folder and job done? What is the exact code I will need to write, in Notepad?

[j2buttonsw]

Half an answer I'm afraid: I am sure it is a registry setting, I will try and dig it out for you. BTW, writing batch files is *so* Windows 95, sweetie!

[darth vader]

ha ha writing batch files is actually from DOS days my old friend! Yet another reason here to use Windows 2000 IMHO
Darth vader, pedants anonymous

[j2buttonsw]

I presume you have tried right clicking the shortcut and deleting it.

[xyzzyplugh]

It's so long since I wrote a batch file, I've almost forgotten how, but they're still viable, right? and it's a simple remedy. I've deleted that s'cut 100 times don't shortcut files have extensions? Thanks for help J2. As none of my Q. is answered yet I will patiently wait. ♫♫...

[j2buttonsw]

What about that locking the taskbar nonsense? I presume it is unlocked. Also, I don't think shortcuts have a file extensions. The other thing is that Windows XP does not use the autoexec.bat file so you would have to schedule the batch file to run at startup (go through the scheduled task wizard from the control panel).

[xyzzyplugh]

You having a laugh J2? I never mentioned the taskbar, don't need the taskbar or the autoexec, and to run a batch file at startup, you just put a shortcut to your bat file in the startup folder - like drag it in, or paste it (in). I already did one this morning to play an mp3 file at start up. It's not difficult. Or Writing a batch file. Really, I could just type 'help' in the dos box and figure the keywords from there. Guess I thought I was looking for some human help; I thought you were going to find me a reg. entry? As none of my question has been answered yet, I will patiently wait a while longer, then maybe I'll have to go interrogate Cerrelli or DougKnox or XP for Dummies!

[xyzzyplugh]

Yeah, I think I know what you mean about the sched task wiz. J2 But this is getting complicatedly out of hand.. It's not a priorities issue, startup folder is quite good enough for my little bat s'cut. I really need to know though, how to refer to a shortcut in Dos language if it don't got no extension?

[xyzzyplugh]

Is it .lnk? Ha, Ha!

[j2buttonsw]

I think I have my wires crossed. What precisely do you mean by "My Startup Folder"? Is it C:\documents and settings\$username$\start menu\ ? Or on the "Start" menu at the top? Or In start-programs-startup? And what service did you disable? And how did you do this? I realise these are questions I should have asked first but it doesn't lie well with my gung-ho attitude.

[xyzzyplugh]

Yes J2 it's Start\programs\startup. Service I disabled was update service through All programs\admin tools\services. See, XP is the one with the attitude, it does not like being manipulated. Did I buy this OS or rent it? I sometimes wonder. Never mind activate permissions, I got Media series 9 last month, you can't even uninstall it; so called middleware and difficult to disable, so I'm told. Although their Moviemaker2 is excellent, Media Player9 is bossy and stupid (bad mix) wish I could get back to player 8 or 7 somehow. Anyway, straying from the subject, which I think I got it licked now, thus; Put a shortcut to .bat file in startup folder .bat file will run at startup, file will say;
IF (path)\wupdate.lnk THEN DEL (path)\wupdate.lnk ELSE END END
Well, something like that just got to work out the right keywords. Anyway J2 apology if you found my answer brusque. Alternative solutions to my prob. most welcome and can anyone give me the correct code and syntax for that little bat file? Save me a bit of relearning which I'll only forget again. This stuff doesn't retain as well as, e.g., riding a bike, cuh.

[Starsky]

Not wishing to sound simplistic but is going through the admin tools/services the same as right-clicking My Computer, going to Properties, clicking the Automatic Updates tab and unchecking "Keep my computer up-to-date"? That worked for my XP Home & Pro.

[Starsky]

You mentioned that you "disabled update servivce through all programs/admin tools/services" (XP Pro?). Is this the same as right-clicking My Computer/Properties/Automatic Update tab/uncheck "keep my computer up to date"? That worked for my current XP(Home) and as far as I recall my last XP Pro. Agree with you comments re WME9 - pants! I had to remove through add/remove programs then re-installed WME7.1

[xyzzyplugh]

Yes Starsky it is kinda the same (xphome - want gpedit); My 'update tab window' now says update unavailable - good; however the updater still sneaks into my startup folder every day or so. I kill it with Startup Cop currently but have an intercept batch file on my to do list. So you uninstalled mplayer 9 successfully?, they said it had no uninstall not in my add/remove or 'the file wiith the Hide commas' [just becos temporarily I forgot it's name..] Well, how did you kill Mplayer 9? I got 7.1 here waiting but mplayer 9 squishes it if I try install.. If I sold you a TV, and then I came in your house everyday and started changing the channels and fiddling with the contrast, you'd say Oy! xyzzy, No! So why should Bast Gates be allowed to fukover my OS everytime? Oy! Gates, No!

[Starsky]

Something up with the answer dates here methinks.....anyway - my bad - I was talking about uninstalling WM Encoder not Player (I didn't read your post properly). No way of uninstalling WMP that I know of apart from complete re-install of XP.