Sons of Thunder Software - Using Rundll32 For Administrative Functions

The tip below is from the July 2002 issue of Windows & .NET Magazine, modified for use with MetaCard/Revolution. - Ed.

Many common administrative functions in WIndows are encapsulated in DLLs. Fortunately, Windows provides rundll32.exe, a command-line utility that lets you execute some DLL functions.

Administrative Function	DLL	Code
Launch Internet Explorer to a specific web site	`url.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe url.dll,FileProtocolHandler http://www.sonsothunder.com/")`
Add a printer to a local computer by starting the Add Printer Wizard	`printui.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /il")`
Add a printer to a remote computer by starting the Add Printer Wizard Note: The example is for a printer called "LJ4100DTNPS" on the server volume "MyServer"). Note that it is the "real" name of the printer that is used, not the "friendly name" (like "HP LaserJet 4100 PS").	`printui.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /il /c\\MyServer\LJ4100DTNPS")`
Add printer port for attached TCP/IP printers by starting the Add TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard	`tcpmonui.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe tcpmonui.dll,LocalAddPortUI")`
Start the Network Identification Wizard	`netplwiz.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe netplwiz.dll,NetAccWizRunDll")`
Start the Network Place Wizard	`netplwiz.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe netplwiz.dll,AddNetPlaceRunDll")`
Create a new shared folder by launching the New Share dialog box	`ntlanui.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe ntlanui.dll,ShareCreate")`
Manage network shares by launching the Shared Directories dialog box	`ntlanui.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe ntlanui.dll,ShareManage")`
Launch Device Manager	`devmgr.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe devmgr.dll,DeviceManager_Execute")`
Lock your workstation	`user32.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation")`
Automatically log off a user or shut down your machine	`shell32.dll`	`set the hideConsoleWindows to true get shell("rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 0")`

Posted 7/16/2002 by Ken Ray