script open a selected file with shared application

[7iben]

I have a problem. I need a script that lets me open a selected file with a shared application.

The problem is that the "Open with" command only lets me select Windows applications. Since my file is an .app file on a Mac, it doesn't appear in "Open with."

I can drag the file from Xyplorer into the program or set the program as the default. That all works.

Because I use Illustrator 2024 and Illustrator 2026 simultaneously, I'd like to create two buttons for each program. In Windows, both programs appear under "Parallels shared applications" in the Start menu (see screenshot).

Is there a way to implement this with a script?

[highend]

If it's set as default the path to use should be in the registry, search for (Illustrator) and show it...

[7iben]

Unfortunately, I can't find anything in the Windows registry.
However, I did find the following two paths.
When I enter either of these paths in Windows Explorer, Illustrator starts. It starts with both paths.

C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Parallels Shared Applications\Adobe Illustrator 2024 (Mac)
(The file is a .lnk file.) If I add .ink to the end of the filename, Windows Explorer does not open Illustrator.

C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe "C:\Program Files\Parallels\Parallels Tools\Plugins\SharedHostApps.dll",Launch 5919f138425a1941b61b211e81092319

Would that be sufficient for a script?
When I enter the paths in xyplorer, I get the following error message:

[highend]

Code: Select all

text property("#LinkTarget");

Run this with the .lnk file selected (e.g. from XY's address bar) and show the output

[7iben]

C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe

[highend]

Interesting...

Try to run this from the address bar, having a file selected that you would like to open in Illustrator 2024:

Code: Select all

run """%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe"" ""%ProgramW6432%\Parallels\Parallels Tools\Plugins\SharedHostApps.dll"", Launch 5919f138425a1941b61b211e81092319 <curitem>";

[7iben]

Unfortunately not. After 5 minutes of loading, this message appeared:

[highend]

But using this in a command prompt works?

Code: Select all

C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe "C:\Program Files\Parallels\Parallels Tools\Plugins\SharedHostApps.dll",Launch 5919f138425a1941b61b211e81092319

[7iben]

Yes, Illustrator starts immediately from the command prompt.

[highend]

And without a file to open from XY again?

Try both variants...

Code: Select all

run """%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe"" ""%ProgramW6432%\Parallels\Parallels Tools\Plugins\SharedHostApps.dll"", Launch 5919f138425a1941b61b211e81092319";

Code: Select all

run """%SystemRoot%\Sysnative\rundll32.exe"" ""%ProgramW6432%\Parallels\Parallels Tools\Plugins\SharedHostApps.dll"", Launch 5919f138425a1941b61b211e81092319";

[7iben]

Unfortunately not. Option 1: Xyplorer loads and then stops at some point without any message; nothing happens.

Option 2: This message appears, and unfortunately, it also doesn't open.

Bildschirmfoto 2026-04-17 um 07.47.05.png

[jupe]

I'd try the top one again without the space before "Launch", depending on dll sometimes it isn't tolerated.

[7iben]

No, unfortunately not with both.

[7iben]

I've now installed the 32-bit version of Xyplorer.

The first suggestion works: `run """%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe"" ""%ProgramW6432%\Parallels\Parallels Tools\Plugins\SharedHostApps.dll"", Launch 5919f138425a1941b61b211e81092319 <curitem>";`

The file opens in the program.

[7iben]

I'll use the 32-bit version for now until the 64-bit version works. I've also noticed that it only works if the file to be opened is located on drive C. Opening a file from a network drive doesn't work, even in the 32-bit version. Is there a solution for this?