My OperaNew Process - Program Launcher
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:52:27 PM
Now that I have made both of my old freewares republished, this time I'll make one of my private software a public freeware. As the post title says, it's a process launcher - in other words, it's a program launcher. The launcher works like most other program launchers. Below is the details.
Features:
When compared to the features of Windows shortcut files, New Process can specify the program's window as hidden, able to set the program's priority and lastly, able to start/stop services. Currently, the downside of this launcher is that it doesn't support Unicode command line yet (may be implemented in the future). Another missing feature is to launch a program using other user account. This however, is unlikely to be implemented since it will require the password to be stored in local storage and this is a security risk. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, the service control feature might require Administrator priviledge and setting process priority to RealTime will require Administrator priviledge.
Using the launcher is relatively easy for those who are already familiar with command lines. Starting the launcher without any command line will display the command line usage. Note that the command line parameters is not case-sensitive and when not using the Shell, the program path must be a full path name. Specifying only "notepad.exe" will display an error. Generally, launching via the Shell is easier than the direct one but in current version, some features are available only in direct launch.
The reason why I made this small launcher (only 31 KB) is that I want to automate starting/stopping services required by VMWare, VirtualBox, and the like. Most users will let those services alone and let them running all the time even if they aren't using it. Well, not me. I like to keep my PC running efficiently and not wasting any resources - even a little. Here's an example for VMWare 5.5.1 used in my PC.
This will start three of the required services (in command line order) prior launching VMWare. The launcher then will wait until VMWare closes. When it does, it'll stop the same three services in reversed order then finally terminates. Please keep in mind that depending on your VMWare version and VMWare's feature requirements, the services may differ. You'll have to find out yourself in order to do that.
One last note for the /DIR, /VERB, /RSOE, /SSOE, /RSOT, and /SSOT parameters. If the text you need to specify contains one or more space or special character, it must be double-quoted and there must be no space between the parameter and the quoted text. For example:
Download: NewProc (16,805 Bytes)
Features:
- Launch via Shell commands/verbs (e.g.: Open, Print, Edit, etc.) or launch directly without using Shell.
- Specify program's working directory.
- Specify how a program window will be displayed (e.g.: maximized, hidden, etc.).
- Specify the program's process priority (e.g.: idle, high, etc.).
- Start/stop service(s) prior/after the program start/end.
When compared to the features of Windows shortcut files, New Process can specify the program's window as hidden, able to set the program's priority and lastly, able to start/stop services. Currently, the downside of this launcher is that it doesn't support Unicode command line yet (may be implemented in the future). Another missing feature is to launch a program using other user account. This however, is unlikely to be implemented since it will require the password to be stored in local storage and this is a security risk. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, the service control feature might require Administrator priviledge and setting process priority to RealTime will require Administrator priviledge.
Using the launcher is relatively easy for those who are already familiar with command lines. Starting the launcher without any command line will display the command line usage. Note that the command line parameters is not case-sensitive and when not using the Shell, the program path must be a full path name. Specifying only "notepad.exe" will display an error. Generally, launching via the Shell is easier than the direct one but in current version, some features are available only in direct launch.
The reason why I made this small launcher (only 31 KB) is that I want to automate starting/stopping services required by VMWare, VirtualBox, and the like. Most users will let those services alone and let them running all the time even if they aren't using it. Well, not me. I like to keep my PC running efficiently and not wasting any resources - even a little. Here's an example for VMWare 5.5.1 used in my PC.
NEWPROC.EXE /rsoeVMx86 /rsoeVMnetuserif /rsoehcmon /ssothcmon /ssotVMnetuserif /ssotVMx86 /wait "C:\Program Files\VMware\vmware.exe"
This will start three of the required services (in command line order) prior launching VMWare. The launcher then will wait until VMWare closes. When it does, it'll stop the same three services in reversed order then finally terminates. Please keep in mind that depending on your VMWare version and VMWare's feature requirements, the services may differ. You'll have to find out yourself in order to do that.
One last note for the /DIR, /VERB, /RSOE, /SSOE, /RSOT, and /SSOT parameters. If the text you need to specify contains one or more space or special character, it must be double-quoted and there must be no space between the parameter and the quoted text. For example:
NEWPROC.EXE /DIR"C:\New Data" C:\Windows\notepad.exe "My Notes.txt" NEWPROC.EXE /RSOE"service v1.3" /SSOT"service v1.3" /WAIT D:\TechSoft.exe
Download: NewProc (16,805 Bytes)
