How to create custom Run commands in Windows

If you’ve ever used the Run command box in Windows, you probably know you can type certain predefined commands to open programs, etc. For example, if you type “notepad” in the Run box, it’ll open Notepad in Windows.

If you type “cmd” in the Run box, it opens the command prompt. If you type “regedit”, it open the registry editor. So on and so forth. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could create your own predefined Run commands?

For example, let’s say I wanted to open a particular program when I typed in my name, Aseem, into the Run box? Right now if you type your name, you’ll probably get an error like the following:

Whoops! Well, with a few simple registry hacks, we can create our own custom run commands to launch whatever program or file we like. Here’s how.

1. Open the registry editor by going to Start, Run and typing in regedit.

2. Now navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

3. Now right-click on App Paths and choose New and then Key.

4. Now give the key any name that you want, such as your name or whatever else you like. This will be what you type in the Run box later to launch the custom program. Just make sure that it has a .EXE at the end of the name.

5. Now in the right hand side, you’ll see a Default registry key (string value). Right-click on that and choose Modify. Enter the path to the file that you want to launch.

6. Click OK and then right-click in the white space and choose New – String Value.

7. Name the key Path and the value should be set to the path of the containing folder of the file you just set on the last key. So in my case, it would be F:\My Documents\GotSent\.

That’s it! Now you can go to Start, Run and type in the name you set for the new key in App Paths and your program will launch! For me, I will type “aseem” and GotSent will load up.

Note that you are not just limited to EXE files, you can point to any file type you like: PDF, DOC, AVI, MP3, etc, etc. That means you can create your own shortcuts to documents, videos, audio files, or programs! Enjoy!

BitDefender 10 Free Edition (Freeware)

BitDefender Free Edition is your chance to use one of the world's most effective antivirus engines for free!

BitDefender Free Edition uses the same ICSA Labs certified scanning engines found in other BitDefender products, allowing you to enjoy basic virus protection for no cost at all.

BitDefender Free Edition is an on-demand virus scanner, which is best used in a system recovery or forensics role.

Features and benefits include:

• Virus scanning and removal
• On demand scanning - Powerful scan engines ensure detection and removal of all viruses in the wild every time you need it.
• Scheduled scanning - The Scheduler lets you plan ahead, and schedule full system/drive scans in the off hours, when you won't be using your computer.
• Immediate scanning - With just a right click you can check your files and folders.
• Skinable interface - You can express yourself, designing new interfaces, or you can use those drawn by others.
• Quarantine - By isolating the infected files in quarantine, the risk of getting infected diminishes. You also have the possibility to send these files for further analysis to BitDefender Labs.
• Reports - When launching a scan you may choose to create a report file where you can see statistics about the scan process.

TrueCrypt 6.2a (Open Source)

TrueCrypt is a software system for establishing and maintaining an on-the-fly-encrypted drive. On-the-fly encryption means that data are automatically encrypted or decrypted right before they are loaded or saved, without any user intervention. No data stored on an encrypted volume can be read (decrypted) without using the correct password or correct encryption key. Until decrypted, a TrueCrypt volume appears to be nothing more than a series of random numbers. The entire file system is encrypted (i.e., file names, folder names, contents of every file, and free space).

This software is highly recommended for securing data on laptops.

TrueCrypt performs the following tasks:

• Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk.
• Encrypts an entire partition or storage device such as USB flash drive or hard drive.
• Encrypts a partition or drive where Windows is installed (pre-boot authentication).
• Encryption is automatic, real-time (on-the-fly) and transparent.
• Provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password: 1) Hidden volume (steganography) and hidden operating system. 2) No TrueCrypt volume can be identified (volumes cannot be distinguished from random data).
• Encryption algorithms: AES-256, Serpent, and Twofish. Mode of operation: XTS.