All entries for Sunday 29 May 2005

iTunes

1. Run regedit
2. Browse to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
3. Create a new key called wmplayer.exe
4. Create a new string value called Debugger
5. Set the value to "c:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe"
6. Test it (no restart required)
7. Exit Registry Editor

The same thing applies for making the Calculator button launch PowerToy Calc too. Of course your keyboard may be more flexible.

Winamp

For Winamp there is an additional complication: The "Debugger" is passed the filename as a parameter. iTunes ignores this but Winamp thinks it's a filename and tries to play it. Here's how to do this for Winamp:

1. Download ProgLauncher
2. Extract ProgLauncher.exe and Notepad.cfg somewhere. I chose the Winamp folder. Rename Notepad.cfg to ProgLauncher.cfg (or whatever you want as long as they match).
3. Open ProgLauncher.cfg in your favourite text editor
4. Change the first line to Winamp.exe (may need the full path)
5. Change the second line to ""
6. Change the third line to whatever path you want (e.g. the full path to My Music)
7. Save and close the file
8. Run regedit
9. Browse to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
10. Create a new key called wmplayer.exe
11. Create a new string value called Debugger
12. Set the value to "c:\Program Files\Winamp\ProgLauncher.exe" (change as necessary)
13. Test it (no restart required)
14. Exit Registry Editor

Please let me know if this helps you (comments below), or if I've missed anything, etc.