How to start CLSIDs from the command line?

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Some of my shortcuts in Windows are pointing to targets that look like CLSIDs, and I cannot modify the target, it's grayed out. They look like this: {ED228FDF-9EA8-4870-83b1-96b02CFE0D52} (non-working example).

Is there a way to "start" these CLSIDs directrly from the command line (without using the link), ie. if I know a CLSID, can I start it from the command line, without making a shortcut?

I've tried to start it with XP like start {ED228FDF-9EA8-4870-83b1-96b02CFE0D52}, but it gives a "file not found" type of error.

n611x007

Posted 2013-04-21T16:05:41.243

Reputation: 5 291

What are these shortcuts to? – Karan – 2013-04-21T21:55:21.480

@Karan my current target is a 'connect to VPN' icon that was created by an installer. But I recall from 9x days that the Recycle bin was accessible this way... actually when I've tried to confirm this, I ran into http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/misc/CLSID-List.htm

– n611x007 – 2013-04-21T22:24:48.783

@Karan No, I mean this notation with the :: prefix actually works with start/run too, not just AHK. And also with start. But I wonder why does some of them not work, what is this notation and what does windows actually do? It does not work with my VPN starter. – n611x007 – 2013-04-21T22:29:32.803

Answers

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See the Canonical Names of Control Panel Items article for the complete list, grouped according to the Windows version supported. You can even create shortcuts using explorer /e,::{CLSID}.

As per this source:

A shell namespace path may be a file system path but may also refer to class objects by using the notation of two colons followed by a CLSID in curly braces.

The IShellFolder shell interface's ParseDisplayName method is responsible for handling "references to items in the [shell] namespace that have a GUID associated with them using the "::{GUID}" syntax".

Karan

Posted 2013-04-21T16:05:41.243

Reputation: 51 857

Asked: 2013-04-21T16:05:41.243

Viewed: 1 968 times

Active: 2013-04-21T23:27:51.900