Replace notepad.exe

[BoardBabe]

Hey!

Im trying to replace notepad.exe, by replacing in windir windir\system32 and windir\dllcahce, as well as edit filelist.xml in windir\resources. Works fine!

However i get a message box up after a few secs, to inser XP recovery CD to recover ntoepad. I can click cancel a couple of times and its, ok. But how do i get rid of this message?

[Astalavista]

u need to disable windows file protection.

[tjhart85]

You can also try AUTOIT and make a simple script that will wait for the error to pop up and just click cancel for you.

You also have the option of replacing NOTEPAD.EX_ in your I386 directory. Just MODIFYPE the file, and then MAKECAB it (and rename it to notepad)

[DigeratiPrime]

what about just renaming the ORIGINAL file and changing the extension from .exe to .old then copy the NEW notepad.exe into that folder. Also you can try Safemode.

I personally use/reccomend the method tjhart85 describes with Slipstreaming NOTEPAD.EX_

[RyanVM]

A quick note - modifyPE isn't necessary unless you're hacking a file. You can just makecab the file and put it on the CD without that step.

[Afterdawn]

If you need to do it manually, remove your WINXP CD and you execute this command from a CMD:

del notepad.exe /f /s /q /a

Now place your own version of notepad.exe in the folders where notepad.exe was deleted.

You can do this with every Windows file you want.

[BoardBabe]

Here is how I do it:

cmdow @ /HID
@echo off

IF EXIST D:\WIN51 set CDROM=D:
IF EXIST E:\WIN51 set CDROM=E:
IF EXIST F:\WIN51 set CDROM=F:
IF EXIST G:\WIN51 set CDROM=G:
IF EXIST H:\WIN51 set CDROM=H:
IF EXIST I:\WIN51 set CDROM=I:
IF EXIST J:\WIN51 set CDROM=J:

REM 1. Prevent the protected file system from doing its thing. 
attrib -r -h -s %systemroot%\system32\dllcache 
ren %systemroot%\system32\dllcache\notepad.exe notepad.bak.exe 
attrib +r +h +s %systemroot%\system32\dllcache 
REM 
REM 2. Make backup copies of Notepad in the Windows and System32 folders. 
copy /Y "%systemroot%\system32\notepad.exe" "%systemroot%\system32\notepad.bak.exe" 
copy /Y "%systemroot%\notepad.exe" "%systemroot%\notepad.bak.exe" 
REM 
REM 3. Copy Notepad to the Windows and System32 folders. 
copy /Y "%CDROM%\PROGRAMVARE\NOTISBLOKK2\notepad.exe" "%systemroot%\system32\dllcache\notepad.exe" 
copy /Y "%CDROM%\PROGRAMVARE\NOTISBLOKK2\notepad.exe" "%systemroot%\notepad.exe" 
copy /Y "%CDROM%\PROGRAMVARE\NOTISBLOKK2\notepad.exe" "%systemroot%\system32\notepad.exe" 
REM
REM 4. Register Notepad settings
REGEDIT /S "%CDROM%\PROGRAMVARE\NOTISBLOKK2\konfigurasjon.reg"

EXIT

But this makes the Windows File Protection dialogue pop up.

I would like to have an option in WPI (im using this on my unattend) to be able to choose wether to install notepad2 or not, so "slipstreaming" by replacing in i386 dir is not the "perfect" option for me.

Is the AUTOIT solution the only option?

[maxXPsoft]

NO autoit although I use is not the only option. I run scripts and replace it (Notepad) with ConText which is more dynamic cause it allow's file's to be modded while they are open in it.

[BoardBabe]

Im not really a scripter, and don't get how to make autoit click cancel on that messagebox that pops-up.

Could you show me how to make this exe/script?

[Afterdawn]

I personally don't like to replace notepad.exe itself, so I run a command-line tool that replaces all instances of notepad in metapad in the registry! (And I put metapad.exe in the system32 and windows folder!)

I use this tool:

http://www.resplendence.com/rrcomline (20-day trial)

[BoardBabe]

That's interesting, but it might cause problems since notepad2 has entries in the register. So replacing all "notepad" will replace also notepad2 instances. Im really a n00b at this, but if it makes sence what im saying it will not work :/

How about if i replace the NOTEPAD.EX_ in i386 as suggested, how exactly do i extract and do this?

[BoardBabe]

to replace the NOTEPAD.ex_ is the only thing i have to do to

CMD

modifyPE -c Notepad.exe

makecab Notepad.exe

I get a notepad.ex_ have i done it correct to replace notepad.ex in i386 now?

[MHz]

Notepad 2, nice choice. A spin-off of Scite. File associations is the best method. Leaves Notepad, but, hehe, unwanted.

Scite4Autoit3 is my only editor.

[RyanVM]

to replace the NOTEPAD.ex_ is the only thing i have to do to

CMD

modifyPE -c Notepad.exe

makecab Notepad.exe

I get a notepad.ex_  have i done it correct to replace notepad.ex in i386 now?

Yeah, that should be all you have to do.

[BoardBabe]

Ok, sweet.

Let me know if you are able to make a script to auto this instead pls. Cancel the WFP dialog ++.