Arlen,

2. Create a batch file anywhere of any name (usually ending in ".bat")

Have you ever tried to start a batchfile *not* ending in .BAT ? And, what
was the result ?

In other words: when making a "usually" suggestions like that (making it
appear its not necessary), make goddamn sure that another way also works.

c:\path\grep.bat

Any name, as long as its "grep.bat" ? Maybe you ment that as a suggestion,
but if so you forgot to mention it.

And a problem with that is that .BAT is an extension known to the system,
just as .EXE . In other words, using both of them in the same folder will
cause confusion for the user (which one is started when no extension is
provided).

Also, naming the batchfile the same as an already existing command (grep.exe
vs grep.bat) is a pretty sure receipe for disaster (at some time or
another). In the very least if the .BAT file is found before the .EXE (in
a search path) you will get something called a "fork bomb".

3. Create an "AppPaths" string key of any name (always ending in ".exe")

Have you ever thought of just placing the .BAT command in a folder named in
the search path ? Way easier. :-)

And if you do not like that (and do explain your "I do not want to do it
that way" to whomever reads your post) and you have several additional
programs that you think really *must* start from the "run" entry box
(instead of from within a subfolder accessible from the "start" popup -
which I personally find rather handy) you could create a special folder for
those user-added commands, and add it to the systems "path" environment
variable. Needs only be done once, and does not clutter the registry.

the ".exe" extension is simply a mandatory requirement of the
"App Paths" key.

Actually ? It isn't.

And as a last thing: grep.exe does not seem to be a part of a standard XP
installation. Meaning that you batch file will, again, not run on XP. :-(

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

P.s.
I can imagine that you want to help other people / show off your knowledge.
But please, make sure that what you offer is actually correct. And that
goes double (at the very least) for the poor noob who tries to follow your
suggestions/tutorials/step plans and than has absolutily zero idea why it
won't work :-((

P.p.s
Put the grep executable "data.txt" file into the same folder as the
batchfile, and, in that batch file, refer to them like this:

%0\..\grep.exe
%0\..\data.txt

Just remember *not* to name the batch file "grep.bat". :-)

It allows you to move the three files around, and you only need to change
the path to the batch file itself.

Works under XP. *Might* work under W10. Yours to check.