Using the Windows Scripting Host to Start Applications

de Steve K5FR

Windows includes a scripting mechanism called the Windows Scripting Host that can be used to start Windows applications. The DXLab Launcher can be configured to start your DXLab applications, and start up to four non-DXLab applications after your DXLab applications are up and running. However, the Launcher does not offer the option of on or more starting non-DXLab applications before starting your DXLab applications. You can create a Windows Script that does this, specifying a delay (in milli-seconds) between each application start:

Dim WshShell

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

WshShell.Exec("C:\Documents and Settings\Steve\Desktop\Repos_PALPB\!PowerSDR.exe")

WScript.Sleep(10000)

WshShell.Exec("C:\DDUtil\DataDecoder.exe")

WScript.Sleep(5000)

WshShell.Exec("C:\Afreet\CwSkimmer\CwSkimmer.exe autostart")

WScript.Sleep(1000)

WshShell.Exec("C:\Program Files\MRP40 Morse Decoder\MRP40v61.exe")

WshShell.Exec("C:\Program Files\DXLab Suite\Launcher\DXLabLauncher.exe")

The above script

  1. starts PowerSDR

  2. waits 10 seconds
  3. starts DataDecoder

  4. waits 5 seconds
  5. starts CW Skimmer

  6. waits 1 second
  7. starts MRP40

  8. starts the DXLab Launcher

Script commands should be placed in a file whose suffix is .vbs, e.g. StartAll.vbs; you can use Notepad to do this.

There are several ways to run a script:

  1. by typing a command line into the Windows Console (CMD):

wscript.exe StartAll.vbs

  1. by creating a batch file that contains the above command line; if you create a file named StartAll.bat that contains the command

wscript.exe StartAll.vbs then you can either run the script by double-clicking StartAll.bat in Windows Explorer, or you can create a shortcut to StartAll.bat on the Windows Desktop and double-click it


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Getting Started with DXLab

WindowsScriptingHost (last edited 2020-01-31 06:24:20 by AA6YQ)