Hyperlink, RDP file, Registered Program

[wvmurph]

Hi all;

I'm attempting to create a hyperlink to a RDP file to launch Remote Desktop Connection. The following occurs:

• If I link directly to a file (say, C:\test.rdp), I receive an alert stating "No Program is registered to open this file"
• If I link directly to Remote Desktop Connection (%windir%\system32\mstsc.exe), I am successful at launching RDC, but not with the parameters of a target file.
• If I try to add the parameter of a file (%windir%\system32\mstsc.exe -edit "(file location)" OR %windir%\system32\mstsc.exe "(file location)" ), I receive an alert, "Cannot open the specified file"

The last example is a bit perplexing as the same syntax will work in a shortcut anywhere on my machine.

Was wondering if anybody is aware of a workaround, add-on, etc. that could resolve this problem. Thanks.

[dominicb]

Good afternoon wvmurph

Not sure if this will work, but you could try forcing it to open under the registered Windows application by using this API. It's never let me down yet!

Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" _
 Alias "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hWnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, _
 ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
 ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Sub test()
ShellExecute 0, vbNullString, "test.rdp", vbNullString, "C:\", 1
End Sub

HTH

DominicB

[wvmurph]

That seems to have done the trick. Thanks.

[poonslang]

Hope its ok to revisit this topic from a couple of years back:

I have the same objective: create a hyperlink that opens up an .RDP file. I was able to invoke the mstsc.exe using the standard hyperlink dialogue but what i really want is to invoke the mstsc.exe /admin to open a certain RDP file.

I tried inserting the API code from DominicB into a VB object via the developer pane but its not working and i lack experience in this area.

here's what i put in the object for my worksheet:

Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" _
Alias "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hWnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, _
ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Sub test()
ShellExecute 0, vbNullString, "SanAnt47.rdp", vbNullString, "C:\Documents and Settings\myuser\Desktop\RDPs", 1
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_Activate()

End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_FollowHyperlink(ByVal Target As Hyperlink)

End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)

End Sub

Am I going about this all wrong?

Where do i put the API in and how must i edit it?

Also I need to use the console switch /admin with the mstsc.exe to make this work.

Any help is appreciated!

[shg]

Welcome to the forum, poonslang.

Please take a few minutes to read the forum rules, then start your own thread with your code enclosed in code tags.

Thanks.