Windows libraries as a paper folder! (for Win 7+)

[klownboy]

Hi highend, v2014.07.03 Build 09.44 worked like a charm. The 1920x1080 Wallpaper Library showed up in the paper folder and the pictures displayed when I clicked on it. Thankfully, XY does use the existing thumbnail cache for the thumbnail display.
Thanks again,
Ken

[Enternal]

Same here. Thanks! This is great!

[highend]

My pleasure.

I've released a new test version.

- Shlib.exe support was removed. I'm now doing it via regexmatches and looking up KNOWNFOLDERIDS.

If you download and use it please tell me if any of your library paths doesn't show up in the paper folder.
If that's the case send me the corresponding library file (.xml) via PM or alternatively post the

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<url>knownfolder:{hexadecimal ID}</url>

part of it...

[bdeshi]

v2014.07.03 Build 16.11
$i isn't reset after looping thru each library file. As a side-effect, I don't get the contents of the libraries after the first one.
(in a few loops, $i goes higher than the total folder count of subsequent libraries)

ed: $libDB gets "REG_SZ" for unknown CLSID's. Such as:

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$libDB =
... other library records ...
Documents|2014.06.29.14.40.29|%USERPROFILE%\Documents?REG_SZ?%USERPROFILE%\Projects
... other library records ...

But you probably know this.
ed2:this REG_SZ also leaks into the paper txt file.[/size]

[highend]

Can you post the <url>...</url> tag from the library that is responsible for the REG_SZ entry please?

Rest ist fixed in my internal version but I want to include the CLSID for the next one.

[klownboy]

Highend, using v2014.07.03 Build 16.11, all the libs displayed for me as they did when you were using the combination of shLib and your own code.

[bdeshi]

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<url>knownfolder:{24D89E24-2F19-4534-9DDE-6A6671FBB8FE}</url>

it's the OneDrive\Documents folder. (There can be also OneDrive\Music, OneDrive\Pictures etc, but I'd deleted those from the respective libraries.)

And another thing: library folders are resolved with env.variables but paths like "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" apparently aren't listed in Paper Folders, when these paths are in the paper's txt file. But that's a Paper Folder issue.

[Filehero]

<ot>And I still would love to have XY-native support for Win Libraries</ot>

[Filehero]

Hi Highend,

I have to apologize, because my previous post has unkindly been missing one important note: another great idea and implementation.

I've just noticed with the current beta (Show_Libraries_v2014.07.03 Build 16.11) that the generated PF is a bit "weird", for instance
- it's one level too deep, rooting at Libraries\Documents over here (all siblings of ..\Documents are missing)
- the PF.txt contains some entries which aren't shown in the PF list view (one is REG_SZ, and two folders having an ampersand in their name)

Just let me know how I could further help to track this down.


Cheers,
Filehero

[highend]

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another great idea and implementation

Thanks.

it's one level too deep, rooting at Libraries\Documents over here (all siblings of ..\Documents are missing)

I'll have more time tomorrow to debug that.

the PF.txt contains some entries which aren't shown in the PF list view (one is REG_SZ, and two folders having an ampersand in their name)

That's because the new implementation relies on registry entries and they use environment variables which this version doesn't resolve. I've change that in my version (it's nothing more than a , "r" (for reprocessing) at the end of one line) but I haven't posted this one because I'll have to change it anyway. The reason is: The user shell folder is just a compatibility layer which doesn't hold _all_ known folder IDs (but only some) so it's useless for newer systems (Win 8+).

I'm currently learning C# and I've already written a program that scans library files for GUIDs / real folder paths and resolves them via SHGetKnownFolderPath. It does all the additional work (checking if the folders from a library exists etc.).
The problem is: It's written for .NET 4.0+ and the default Win7 installation contains only 3.5.1. so it won't work on it until 4.0 or newer isn't installed there.

It's possible to support Win 7 and Win 8+ with the use of getLibraryPaths.exe.config (getLibraryPaths is my app) by adding the additional framework in there but I don't want to add that file. I prefer a single .exe and nothing with it.
I need more time to figure these things out, C# is my first real programming language...

In the end I'll change the script to use my helper application but in the meantime it's the best way to go one version back and use the helper application that is mentioned at the beginning of that script. It doesn't work for all libraries (old ones) correctly but it doesn't seem to fail on new ones...

[Filehero]

Hi Highend,

thank you for your interesting explanations. They somewow make me feel guilty for too much pushing..

"Learning C#": this reminds me of someone, never got around to really go for it (lack of ideas, time etc.). From my powershell hacking I know the learning curve wouldn't be too steep, since it shares a lot of principles with Java which I did for years.

Are there any valid data on how many Win 7 installations are still virgin with respect to the .NET runtime? I could imagine that these days such updates are part of the standard update routines, and Win 7 installations with .NET 3.5.1 only could be rather short-lived.

Anyway, if you need a tester (on 8.1) just let me know.


Cheers,
Filehero

[highend]

Ofc if a user uses Windows Update he'll have a 4.0+ framework after a few restarts but I know more than a few who don't...

Anyway I think it's a good step to include the helper application and "force" the user to update the .NET framework if they want to use it.

So...

v1.0.0 is published.

@Changelog:
v1.0.0
• Added: - GetLibraryPaths.exe helper application (made in C#)
• Changed: - Secondary sort order for paths
- Versioning system
- Better saving of variables into the script
• Removed: - User shell folders registry support (no longer needed)

GetLibraryPaths was tested unter Win7, 8, 8.1 and Server 2012 R2 with no problems.

If anything isn't working as expected, post it^^

[klownboy]

Hi Highend, is something amiss or am I. You uploaded Show Favorites. The previous versions was Show Libraries. I used the new GetLibraryPaths.exe with the old version [v2014.07.03 Build 09.44] of Show Libraries, referencing it for $shlib in lieu of shlib.exe, and it worked fine. Of course there a number of references to shlib.exe (e.g., error messages, etc). now

[highend]

Hi Ken,

ähm.... öhhh.... Now the world can use my (unfinished and personal) script that I'm writing to access the most important things when in single pane mode *g*

Ok, at least not any more. Uploaded the correct script^^

[klownboy]

Tried the updated ShowLibraries along with your GetLibraryPaths and had no issues. It displayed my old wallpaper library as well. I also deleted my download of ShowFavorites.
Thanks,
Ken