I have created a simple (.inf) file named cleanup.inf.

Here it is:

[Version]

Signature=$CHICAGO$

[DefaultInstall]

DelFiles=cleanup

[cleanup]

MSN Explorer.lnk

;end of file

Anyway, my goal is to delete the MSN Explorer icon in the following directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\MSN Explorer.lnk

How do I tell the inf the file is in a specific directory. I'm confused on writing my first inf. I'm used to batch files. All the examples I see on the internet just name the file that you want to delete WITHOUT any path to the filename. My concern is that I have multiple MSN Explorer.lnk files. I only want to delete the one in the path that i've given above. Could someone help me out with this example? I thank you in advance if you could help because i'm not understanding.

Thanks, Niatross

Edited March 16, 200620 yr by Nihilator

The path to the files to delete for a DelFiles section must be specified via the DestinationDirs section.

Add this to your inf :

[DestinationDirs]
cleanup=16409

16409 is the "magic number" to specify the "%AllUsersProfile%\Desktop" folder.

(taken from here)

Also, you should change the signature to "$Windows NT$", 'coz your INF may not run on 9x.

See also this site and clik "Infs" in the top menu

Thanks Delprat. I see how it works. Thanks very much

I have one more question. If I want to delete the cleanup.inf after it runs my clean up commands, how would I do it?

It seems like I would have to do it on next reboot since this inf is in memory running.

Thanks, Niatross

It seems like I would have to do it on next reboot since this inf is in memory running.

I don't think so.

Try to add another 'DelFiles' section for your inf:

[DefaultInstall]
DelFiles=cleanup,cleandown

[cleandown]
myself.inf

[DestinationDirs]
cleanup=16409
cleandown=YourInfFolder

May I ask why do you want to use .inf instead of batch for this?

I'm choosing inf over batch because it's cleaner. A batch shows a cmd window when it runs, then diappears quicky, which is ugly. I'm going to be running this inf from my [GUIRUNONCE].

Edited March 16, 200620 yr by Nihilator

I'm choosing inf over batch because it's cleaner. A batch shows a cmd window when it runs, then diappears quicky, which is ugly. I'm going to be running this inf from my [GUIRUNONCE].

An INF shows a "copying files" window if there is at least one CopyFiles= section or one AddReg= section in the Install section being processed (and that window "stucks" during all the install process, but the progressbar shows only the copying process).

I don't use [GUIRUNONCE], but if it allows command line parameters you can use StartX.exe to hide the cmd window before it's creation :

X:\Path_to\StartX.exe /WAIT /B Z:\Path_to\YourBatch.cmd

(search on the forum for a DL link to StartX)

That's less "ugly" that using CMDOW @ /HID (I guess that's you're using, am I right ?)