Hello,

I have created an application which can be used as an alternative for the Windows default RunOnceEx. It works almost the same, and by default, it looks like this...

...but you can customize every text and every image. You can even set the text font!

It's pretty easy to let it look a little 'older':

Or to let it look more like Windows XP:

Download installer (Version 1.6, Jan 24, 2008)

(To run it silent: RunOnceEx.exe /verysilent)

NOTE: If the installer runs silent, it automatically begins installing your applications (if you have added any; see below).

VERSION HISTORY

Version 1.6 (Build 31)

- Removed auto-adding of Registry values for debugging.

Version 1.5 (Build 30)

- Fixed issue which occured when using multiple windows

- Added a so called 'Easer Egg'.......

Version 1.4 (Build 25)

- Bug fix

Version 1.3 (Build 22)

- Added support for multiple RunOnceEx windows

Version 1.2 (Build 18)

- Added some new icons: $VISTA5-8, $XP3-7

Version 1.1 (Build 14)

- Vista fix

- Fix in recreating RunOnce values

Version 1.0 (Build 10)

- First public release

USAGE

Just like RunOnceEx, but all entry's must be stored in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx, not in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx!

To use multiple RunOnceEx windows (e.g. for multiple groups of applications), store the properties of the secound window in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx2, the third in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx3...

Example RunOnceEx.cmd file:

cmdow @ /HID

@echo off

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce /V "Alternative RunOnceEx by Ruby Software" /D "Insert path to the installer here!!! /verysilent" /f

SET KEY="HKLM\SOFTWARE\Ruby Software\RunOnceEx"

REG ADD %KEY% /V TITLE /D "Installing Applications" /f

REG ADD %KEY% /V TEXT /D "Please wait while Windows installs the following applications:" /f

REG ADD %KEY% /V PNG /D "$OLD" /f

REG ADD %KEY% /V PNG_arrow /D "$OLD" /f

REG ADD %KEY% /V PNG_success /D "$NONE" /f

REG ADD %KEY% /V FONT /D "MS Sans Serif" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\005 /VE /D "Adobe Reader 6" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\005 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\AdobeReader6\AR6.msi /qn" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\010 /VE /D "Alcohol 120" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\alcohol\setup.exe /qn" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 2 /D "REGEDIT /S %systemdrive%\install\alcohol\register.reg" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\015 /VE /D "Diskeeper 8" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\015 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\DiskeeperPro_8.0.459.exe /s /v/qn" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\050 /VE /D "Importing Registry Tweaks" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\050 /V 1 /D "REGEDIT /S %systemdrive%\install\regtweaks.reg" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\055 /VE /D "Cleaning Up and Rebooting" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\055 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\cleanup.cmd" /f

EXIT

The italic part adds the installer of my RunOnceEx application to the RunOnce key. If you forget this, it will not work!

Added registry entry's:

TEXT: The text above the list of applications. Default: Please wait while Windows installs...

FONT: The text font.

PNG: The installation icon. Value can be a path to a PNG image (e.g. %systemdrive%\installer.png, best use a size between 32x32 and 48x48), or one of the following constants (italic constants are added in version 1.2):

PNG_arrow: The arrow icon. Value can be a path to a PNG image (best use a size of 16x16 or less) or one of the following constants:

PNG_success: The success icon. Value can be a path to a PNG image (best use a size of 16x16 or less) or one of the following constants:

Download list of constants as Word Document

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

Edited January 24, 200818 yr by RubySoftware

Looks nice, will give it a try

Note: If you have set more than 18 tasks, a scrollbar will appear in the window. At that maximum size, the window does not fit on a 800x600 screen anymore.

Very cool! I'll also try this out. Right now I'm using Mars Installer though.

Important: I found out that it doesn't work with Vista, because of administrator rights. Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

Nevermind, I found out myself. Now updated to version 1.1! See first post.

Edited January 18, 200818 yr by RubySoftware

Is the only difference between your app and the standard RunOnceEx is that yours is customizable? If not, what are the other differences? Just curious.

Yes. Otherwise I wouldn't call it 'Alternative RunOnceEx'.

And that mine creates a scrollbar when there are too many tasks.

Edited January 18, 200818 yr by RubySoftware

Great - it's cool man.

I'll give it a try.

Very nice well do so testing

I'm now making a script creator for this. It will create a RunOnceEx.cmd file (and will also work with Windows RunOnceEx).

I'm due to make a new dvd, so i'll give this a whirl.

Thank you

Anybody know where this installs to, i cant find it?

Edited January 19, 200818 yr by zakum

%systemroot%\system32\RunOnceEx.exe (Marked as system file, so you don't find it in Windows Explorer, just like the dllcache folder)

If you want to uninstall it: Use my Alternative RunOnceEx uninstaller, available here.

Edited January 19, 200818 yr by RubySoftware

I have just updated it. The new version 1.3 adds support for multiple windows.

I have just updated it. The new version 1.3 adds support for multiple windows.

I just installed it the clicked on the exe in sys32 and nothing happens?

'Something' must be added to the registry first.