PowerShell - Get FULL TargetPath of Shortcut

Good evening,

As I have setup a LOT of Shortcuts in a specific folder, I wanted to find a way of extracting specific data from EACH of them, which I have managed to 90% achieve.

The only part that I am having difficulty with is the data that is in the TargetPath field, because it excludes ANY data [ commands ] after a specific point.

I have setup a .BAT file and a .PS1 file for this which obviously works from having the SAME Filename.

BAT

Code:

@echo off & mode con: cols=30 lines=1 & color A & C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\PowerShell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass %~dp0%~n0.ps1

PS1

Code:

Function Get-DesktopShortcuts{
  $Shortcuts = Get-ChildItem -Recurse "C:\System-Admin_ToolBar" -Include *.lnk
  $Shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
  ForEach ($Shortcut in $Shortcuts)
  {
    $Properties = @{
    ShortcutName = $Shortcut.Name;
    ShortcutFull = $Shortcut.FullName;
    ShortcutPath = $shortcut.DirectoryName;
    Target       = $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).TargetPath
    }
  New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }
  [Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::ReleaseComObject($Shell) | Out-Null
}
$Output = Get-DesktopShortcuts
$Output | Out-GridView ;Pause

It Outputs the data in GridView.

As an EXAMPLE of my problem, if I was to use my Shortcut for Disk Cleanup - Advanced Mode, the GridView for Target shows . . .



But, in the Properties of the Shortcut, there is extra data AFTER the \cleanmgr.exe . . .



So my question is, how do I get it to show the FULL data in the TargetPath field [ the /sagerun:65535 ] please.

EVERYTHING works except that particular bit.

Thanks.

This is an old post but maybe something there:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-6d3d5e5a626c
I don't have a clue as to what the number on yours is supposed to do so maybe I'll learn.

Thanks for the reply @Berton,

Berton said:

This is an old post but maybe something there: . . . I don't have a clue as to what the number on yours does.

My problem is NOT with ANY of the Shortcuts, they ALL work perfectly.

What I want, is for the Target field in the output in GridView to show the EXTRA commands at the end of the Target field, the SAME as they are shown in the Properties of the Shortcut.

Hello @das10,

das10 said:

Maybe something along these lines to somehow get the 'arguments' . . .

Code:

    Arguments    = $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).Arguments

P.S. Sorry, Paul, that then doesn't show the paths !

Brilliant, that is EXACTLY what I was after. Is there any way to get the Arguments column AFTER the Target column please?

If you think that you can get the Target and Arguments into one column, say at the end of the Output, that would just be a BONUS.

Thanks.

Perhaps:

Code:

{
    $Properties = @{
    ShortcutName = $Shortcut.Name;
    ShortcutFull = $Shortcut.FullName;
    ShortcutPath = $shortcut.DirectoryName;
    Target       = $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).TargetPath + " " + $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).Arguments
 }

Hello @das10,

das10 said:

Perhaps:

Code:

{
    $Properties = @{
    ShortcutName = $Shortcut.Name;
    ShortcutFull = $Shortcut.FullName;
    ShortcutPath = $shortcut.DirectoryName;
    Target       = $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).TargetPath + " " + $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).Arguments
        }
  New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }
  New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }

Yes indeed.

Funny thing was that I was working on the first post and when I checked the output, I also noticed that there was a space needed, which I added. When I looked back at your post, you has ALSO added it. Great minds think alike as they say.

The FINAL thing I need to do is to get the output to AutoSize the Columns.

Did you mean to change . . .

Code:

    }
  New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }
  [Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::ReleaseComObject($Shell) | Out-Null
}

. . . to . . .

Code:

        }
  New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }
  New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }

. . . does it still clear the Array?

I really must look into PowerShell more, although I am a bit old in the tooth now.

Thanks again, it is appreciated.

Well, I ended up with the following which I am more than happy with . . .

Code:

Function Get-DesktopShortcuts{
  $Shortcuts = Get-ChildItem -Recurse $Env:SystemDrive\System-Admin_ToolBar -Include *.lnk
  $Shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
  ForEach ($Shortcut in $Shortcuts)
  {
    $Properties = @{
    ShortcutName = $Shortcut.Name;
    ShortcutFull = $Shortcut.FullName;
    ShortcutPath = $shortcut.DirectoryName;
    Target       = $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).TargetPath + " " + 
                   $Shell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut).Arguments
    }
    New-Object PSObject -Property $Properties
  }
  [Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::ReleaseComObject($Shell) | Out-Null
}
$Output = Get-DesktopShortcuts
$Output | Out-GridView
$Output | Export-CSV $Env:UserProfile\Desktop\'Sys Admin TB Shortcuts.ods' ;Pause

I will however, investigate on getting the GridView output to AutoSize tomorrow.

Thank for ALL your help @das10, it is very much appreciated.

I am marking this thread as Solved.

Paul Black said:

although I am a bit old in the tooth now.

And how many decades in a bit? I'm in my 8th now.