Vlad"s Software Development Toolbox

Monday 24 December 2007

Donate

Windows Environment Variables Manager is a free and open source tool aiming to help make usage of computer easier and will stay like this in the future as a gift to online community. By donating you will not only show the usefulness of this program, but also support the future development of it. We would like to ask a minimum donation of $5.00 AU, but any amount is appreciated. Thank you!

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Privacy

PayPal requires some personal information from you in order to create and establish an account. Some of this info such as your name, e-mail address and donation amount will be send to our PayPal account. We assure that the details of any donation received by our PayPal account will be kept private and never sold or given out to any third party.

Any Questions?

Send email to envmng@gmail.com (English only)

Thursday 20 December 2007

Save changes on Cancel? - V1.3

Free Download

EnvMan-1.3.zip EnvMan-source-1.3.zip

Summary

  • BT1828033 Escape to Close
    • Added Ctrl+X Shortcut on Main Form Exit File Menu
  • BT843838 Program does not check for changes on Cancel in Edit Form
    • Added checking for user changes and prompt to save it on Cancel.
  • Added Release version display in Main Form Title bar
  • Added colour change for rows with invalid value paths in Main Form
  • Minor GUI Improvements

Functionality Changes

Main Form in this release is checking if any of the variables have invalid file or directory values. Variables with invalid paths are displayed in red. The current release number of the program is displayed in the title bar and "Ctrl+X" shortcut is added to quickly close application from File menu. In Edit Form if Cancel button is clicked after any changes made to a variable. Message asking to save changes is displayed.

Sunday 14 October 2007

Input Validation - V1.2.1 - V1.2.2

Free Download

EnvMan-1.2.2.zip EnvMan-source-1.2.2.zip

Summary

Release 1.2.2
  • Fixed problem with Delete button on Edit Form.
  • Removed Setup project. It will be replaced by WiX setup.
Release 1.2.1
  • BT1767453 On value edit Undo Redo not recording. Fixed problems when user does not enter text into value cell.
  • BT1792173 Incorrectly detected Value type. Checking that path string is starts with ":\".
  • BT1806716 ERROR: Grid Cell accepts semi colon. Added validation DataGridView in Edit form.

Functionality Changes

I am providing Release 1.2.2 here as V1.2.1 has a bug with delete button I did not catch before posting. Release V1.2.1 has input validation added to a grid. If Variable Value contains ";" then grid will display and error mark.

Thursday 11 October 2007

Tip: Running Windows Environment Variables Manager on Vista

To use EnvMan under Vista it should be run with an Administrator privileges. To make it run as Administrator by default open properties of the EnvMan.exe or a shortcut to it.

Select compatibility tab and check "Run this program as an Administrator" check box.

If you want to apply this setting to all users click on "Show settings for all users button" and check "Run this program as an Administrator" check box.

Click OK on every dialog. Now EnvMan.exe will have all the rights to save environment variables. This applies to all versions of the EnvMan.

Wednesday 3 October 2007

Variable Import/Export - V1.2

Free Download

EnvMan-1.2.zip EnvMan-source-1.2.zip

Summary

  • Implementation of Import/Export variable values functionality (BT1709867)
  • Implementation of Locate/Open in Windows Explorer Edit Form Grid context menu (BT1729869 - Implemented by PRANKENST!EN)
  • Upgraded licence to GPL Version 3

Functionality Changes

Variable Import/Export

There are two new buttons on the top right of the Edit Form. Variable values can now be exported to an *.env XML file and imported on the different computer or user. The only restriction is that you cannot import values from the different variable. If variable name does not match it will not import and will display a message. It is also possible to create new variables using import. Open new variable by clicking "New" on the Main Form and use import button to import values from selected ENV file. Name of the variable will be loaded as well.

All imported values will have a "+" sign on their type icons.

Open in Explorer context menu

New context menu added to a grid in Edit Form. If right click on the path value of the variable and select "Open in Windows Explorer" it will launch Windows Explorer with first valid folder or file selected. If command used on the non-path value then message will be displayed that no valid paths can be selected.

Tuesday 26 June 2007

Tip: Working with generic SortedList in revers order

It was very interesting, but I could not find any information on how to work with lists like Generic SortedList<> in revers order. In the end all turned out very simple. You need to get a IList<> of keys and use for loop in descending order through that list. Below is a code snippet.

SortedList<int,DgvRowInfo> rowInfoList = null;
...
DgvRowInfo rowInfo;
// walk through the list in revers order
IList<int> keyList = rowInfoList.Keys;
for (int i = keyList.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
{
rowInfo = rowInfoList[keyList[i]];
dgvHandler.MoveRow(rowInfo.CurrentRowIndex, rowInfo.NewRowIndex);
}

Monday 11 June 2007

Remember Row Position in the Grid - V1.1.2

Free Download

EnvMan-1.1.2.zip EnvMan-source-1.1.2.zip

Summary

Implemented fixes suggested by Code Project users.
  • Fixed reloading of Main Form on Row double click
  • Added remembering current row and setting it visible after reloading
  • Set Buttons State happens on Data Grid View current selection change
  • Fixed row deletion when user hits delete key on keyboard

Functionality Changes

  • Added Help Menu new entries.
  • Added credits box in About box
  • Modified CleanAll.bat to work with new projects
  • Added automated build of Setup project

Thursday 7 June 2007

Tip: Versioning for EnvMan

I decided to drop off the 4th digit from the version number and stick to A.B.C format. “A” will be representing current program version. “B” is a version with new implemented feature. “C” is a version of the published fixes.

The future EnvMan release will be 1.2 with dropped 0 at the end. Any following fixes for a 1.2 release will be published with 1.2.x version.

The fixes for a current 1.1.1.0 release will be in 1.1.2 release

Saturday 2 June 2007

Tip: Resolving file corruption error in settings file

I made an interesting discovery when working on saving splitter position into settings file. Initially I was calling SaveSettings function located in EnvManager DLL from EXE before EnvMan is closed. I started encountering file corrupted errors and application was not saving splitter position into a file. The work around was to use HandleDestroyed event of User Control to save settings from the EnvManager DLL. So my lesson was "Never call Settings class located in the different assembly to avoid file corruption errors". I will be interested to know if any one had similar experience when working with settings class and what work around was used to fix a problem.

Thursday 31 May 2007

Unlimited Undo/Redo - V1.1.1.0

Free Download

EnvMan-1.1.1.0.zip EnvMan-source-1.1.1.0.zip

Summary

  • Implementation of Undo/Redo functionality (Bug Tracker ID: 1705000)
  • Added Tool Tip info for icons in Edit Form

Functionality Changes

Finally implementation of Undo/Redo functionality is done. Using arrow buttons it is possible to undo changes made since Edit Form was opened. Redo button will perform these action again one by one. Keep in mind, if undo button was used and another action is performed then every redo command after that action is cleared. Tool Tip on Undo/Redo button will show what type of action they are going to perform.

Friday 25 May 2007

Fixed Minimum Form Sizes - V1.1.0.2

Free Download

EnvMan-1.1.0.2.zip EnvMan-source-1.1.0.2.zip

Summary

  • Made single selection in the Edit form grid
  • Set minimum sizes for main and edit forms
  • Fixed bug on renaming variable name

Functionality Changes

While still working on release EnvMan-1.1.1.0, which will include implementation of unlimited Undo/Redo, I decided to provide a small EnvMan-1.1.0.2 release that will include fixes from testing and suggestions. EnvMan-1.1.1.0 is on its way. I am currently implementing few tests before it will be public. Please stay tuned.

Tuesday 1 May 2007

Interface Improvements - V1.1.0.1

Free Download

EnvMan-1.1.0.1.zip EnvMan-source-1.1.0.1.zip

Summary

  • Fixed alignment of the delete button.
  • Simplified parsing of the variable value string by using string.split function
  • Added settings to save splitter position of the component

Functionality Changes

The changes are related to main form and edit from screens. On the main form the name of the user is shown and splitter position saved when program closed. On edit form position of the delete button corrected and loading of variable values simplified and now a lot quicker.

Friday 27 April 2007

Variable Value Types - V1.1.0.0

Free Download

EnvMan-1.1.0.0.zip EnvMan-source-1.1.0.0.zip

Summary

  • Added Variable Type recognition in the edit form
  • Added forms location, size and state saving and loading using application settings (Bug Tracker ID: 1705001)

Functionality Changes

This version includes change in the Edit Form contributed by Mariusz. Edit form now shows an icon representing the type of the Value, which are folder, word, number, or a file. Thank you for contributing for the project, Mariusz. This version of the program also remembers the location, size and state the program window was after closing.

Upgrade

If you need to upgrade from earlier version of the program download latest release and than replace corresponding exe and dll files by removing the old ones and installing new versions of files. Thank you everyone who responded to this project affords.

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Getting Started Guide - V1.0.0.0

Free Download

EnvMan-1.0.0.0.zip EnvMan-source-1.0.0.0.zip

User Guide

Introduction

Windows Environment Variables Manager (EnvMan) is a tool written in C# .Net intended to handle the administration of Windows Shell Environment Variables. It is designed to replace Control Panel System Environment Manager and easily manage long variable values.

Installation

In order to run this program you need to have .Net 2.0 runtime installed. After installing .Net 2.0 runtime download program binaries from the EnvMan Project Website. Unzip EnvMan-x.x.x.x.zip file to where you want and set a short cut to EnvMan.exe file to desktop or start menu. You are now ready to run application. In the future we are planning to offer a choice of Windows Installer (MSI) setups and "ClickOnce" for installations and upgrades.

Getting Started Guide

Windows Environment Variables Manager (EnvMan) has a simple interface similar to common Environment Variables Editing tool in Systems control panel. Main screen lists User and System Environment Variables. "New", "Edit", "Delete" buttons allow create new environment variable, edit existing ones and delete. By clicking "New" and "Edit buttons Edit screen is shown. Enter Variable name and at least one value in the grid to create a new variable. You can use Up/Down arrow buttons on right of the grid to change order of the rows. Folder button allows to select specific path as a value. Delete button removes selected value from the grid. Once you are ready click Save button or Cancel if no change needed. Changes will be reflected in the Main Screen grid.

Tuesday 17 April 2007

Windows Environment Variables Manager Home

EnvMan-1.3 Free Download

  • BT1828033 Escape to Close
    • Added Ctrl+X Shortcut on Main Form Exit File Menu
  • BT843838 Program does not check for changes on Cancel in Edit Form
    • Added checking for user changes and prompt to save it on Cancel.
  • Added Release version display in Main Form Title bar
  • Added colour change for rows with invalid value paths in Main Form
  • Minor GUI Improvements

Features

  • Simple Interface similar to System Environment Manager in Windows Control Panel. More...
  • Create, Delete and Edit long variable and their values visually with few button clicks
  • Variable values displayed by type and missing files/folders detected. More...
  • Unlimited Undo/Redo for Editing. More...
  • Variable Import/Export. More...
  • Vista compatible. More...
  • Automatic new version update notification. (Planned)
  • Portable EnvMan. (Planned)
  • Import/Export of All System Variables. (Planned)
  • Support for different languages. (Planned)

Requirements

Tips for Developers

Resolving file corruption error in settings file Versioning for EnvMan Working with generic SortedList in revers order Running Windows Environment Variables Manager on Vista Integrating PartCover with Visual Studio 2005

History of Releases and User Guides

Getting Started Guide - V1.0.0.0 Variable value types - V1.1.0.0 Interface improvements - V1.1.0.1 Fixed minimum form sizes - V1.1.0.2 Unlimited Undo/Redo - V1.1.1.0 Remember Row Position in the Grid - V1.1.2 Variable Import/Export - V1.2 Input Validation - V1.2.1 - V1.2.2 Save changes on Cancel? - V1.3