I want to learn how the process of opening a text file through double click works by making a script

[Draygoes]

This seems like a fun bit of tech knowledge that I don't have but will find useful.
So, from start to finish, what happens when you double click a text file and it opens in Notepad? How do we change that in the registry?
On the script side, how to we catch and parse the filename to a string? Is it a string from the start?

Like I said, this isn't with the goal of designing one script. Rather, it's a skill that I want to pick up to use in projects going forward. 

Thanks for your time!

Edited August 4, 2021 by Draygoes
Spelling

[Dan_555]

Windows is treating the filenames as Strings.

The filename (argument) is passed to other apps as  a string. 

On the AutoIt Script side, it is passed as a string as well, see the Command Line Parameters: https://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/docs/intro/running.htm

 

When you double click on a text file, on windows side, it can be a bit complicated.

I do not know the exact order but it looks something like:

Windows explorer is checking if the text extension, usually ".txt" has an assigned app to open it.

If yes, it is opening the default app, if no, it is looking first if there is an app for the unknown files ( * ), then if it does not know how to, it presents a list of apps which could open it.

(The apps usually set the extensions which they can open, somewhere in the registry (new in win 10 i think) )

 

Here is a small info on how to change the default editor for .bat files:

https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/how-can-i-change-default-editor-used-editing-batch-files

 

They use, in the example:

Quote

D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\winword.exe %1

But i remember, at least from the XP times that the filenames/paths with spaces in it may not work. (because space is a delimiter char, used to distinguish the program from the parameter)

The correct use, at least for windows before 10, should be:

Quote

"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\winword.exe" "%1"

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by Dan_555

[Subz]

In Windows 10 it normally uses the following key, you would need to find the hash key which is machine specific which can be a challenge although their are tools from memory that can automate this.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.txt\UserChoice

While you can use group policy to force file associations, it means users aren't able to change those associations

https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.WindowsExplorer::DefaultAssociationsConfiguration

You can configure the default user file associations, but this only impacts new user accounts not existing user accounts.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/export-or-import-default-application-associations

[Draygoes]

Why can't I remember how to insert multiquotes?

Old Fashioned way it is.

@Dan_555Thanks for the details! I'll post a working example when I get around to actually using this.
@SubzLove that name btw; So if it's that complicated, how does every other program manage to pull it off? Most programs for editing anything registers it's own file type.

Thanks for the responses guys.

[Draygoes]

Also, is drag and drop treated like an open command? Does it just pass file location when you do that as well?
(I'm not able to test at the moment)

[Dan_555]

TBH, i do not know how the windows explorer is handling the drag'n'drop.

I'm using the FreeCommanderXE, and here the drag'n'drop works very well with autoit scripts, while the windows (10) explorer does not. 

The full path+filename is passed to the script. 

 

[Earthshine]

thats because FreeCommanderXE is Win32 based exe, Explorer is now way different and doesn't use win32 controls. If you want to automate Windows Explorer then you must learn UIAutomation

Edited August 9, 2021 by Earthshine

[Dan_555]

The question was about drag'n'drop.

 

[Earthshine]

i would not expect it to work like win32 based systems at all, even with dragon drop

best off to start reading this

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/dragdrop

you should be able to use the clipboard as mentioned in the docs sp with AutoIt you can use Objects like the IDataObject

Edited August 9, 2021 by Earthshine