EXE redirection

Burnsy2023

Burnsy2023

Burnsy2023

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I have an application that is expecting to find Excel 2003 in it's default path. However, Excel 2007 is installed, not 2003 and so is in a different location. I can't change where the application looks for excel. Is there any way I can create a redirection to 2007? I can't do a shortcut as it is expecting an .exe not an .ink. Is there any easy way around this?

Thanks
 
I don't think that's possible directly.

Is it just a case of you want a .exe to execute excel 2007? Or does the application need to pass arguments to it as well? If you know the arguments and path I would be happy to make you a simple .exe that when executed launches excel 2007 at a path of your choosing, but it wouldn't be a shortcut as such, more an application that launches the new process.

Your other option would be to hack the exe and change the path it has hardcoded for 2003 to 2007 using a hex editor or resource hacker, depends if you want or are allowed to change the application though?
 
tntcoder said:
I don't think that's possible directly.

Is it just a case of you want a .exe to execute excel 2007? Or does the application need to pass arguments to it as well? If you know the arguments and path I would be happy to make you a simple .exe that when executed launches excel 2007 at a path of your choosing, but it wouldn't be a shortcut as such, more an application that launches the new process.

Your other option would be to hack the exe and change the path it has hardcoded for 2003 to 2007 using a hex editor or resource hacker, depends if you want or are allowed to change the application though?
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Thanks for the offer, but I don't think either of those are really an option. Do you know if NTFS junction points or symbolic links could work?
 
I've seen this documented somewhere, ie if you tried to run notepad.exe it would load up calc.exe instead.

I'll try and find it
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Thanks for the offer, but I don't think either of those are really an option. Do you know if NTFS junction points or symbolic links could work?
Click to expand...

Good idea, that should work nicely :)

Something like this in "Program Files/Microsoft Office" or whatever the correct path:

mklink /D Excel2003 Excel2007 (symbolic link rather than junction)

That should mirror/point to the directory and give the application the appearance that it exists anyway.
 
Last edited:
So basically you want the exe to look at the new office, not 2003 path?

You could just hex edit with resource hacker replacing the 2003 reference no?
 
Khaaan! said:
You could just hex edit with resource hacker replacing the 2003 reference no?
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This is for work. I'd never get a change request authorising that.

Hard links seem to work in the way they were designed, but excel is complaining about dependant files. Looks like I will need to point at a directory rather than a single file. Oh well, it's all a learning curve.

Edit: Tried a junction point, but excel complains about dependant libraries all over the place :(
 
Matt-Page said:
Sounds like your license has expired fella. I'd give Microsoft a call with your bank card...
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:p

accusing the person who advocates the use of legitimate software more than any other that he's using pirated Office is not advisable :o
 
can you not copy the office12 folder and rename it office11, keeping both folders present? Assuming the application does little more than open excel?
 
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