HOW-TO: Install XP Powertoys on Windows Server 2003

Filed under: Tech Stuff, Windows — Written by Chrissy on Wednesday, August 9th, 2006 @ 10:21 am

For years I've used Windows Server 2003 and for years, I've been missing some of my favorite features from Windows Powertoys. The Image Resizer Powertoy is definitely one that came in really handy when I used XP. Unfortunately, anytime I tried to run it under 2k3, I would receive the message

The powertoys require Windows XP or a service pack. They will not function on a version of WIndows ealrier or later than Windows XP

Recently, when trying to extract MacBook drivers, I learned about InstallShield's "/V /a" switch and I decided to try it on ImageResizerPowertoySetup.exe. I downloaded the file from the Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP webpage and saved it to my D: drive. I then ran D:\ImageResizerPowertoySetup.exe /V /a and extracted the contents to D:\temp. I saw that a folder called "system32" was created. I then moved the file phototoys.dll to C:\windows\system32 then went to Start -> Run -> regsvr32 phototoys.dll. Voila! "Resize Pictures" appeared in my right-click menu.

I assume that this technique will work for all or most other XP PowerToys.

20 Comments   -
  • Comment by Corey | August 10, 2006 @ 7:57 am

    I use a trick with Compatibility mode.

    I just had a case where I needed to install etrust antivirus (corporate) on Vista and it was failing during the setup.

    You don't have the option to change the compatibility mode on a MSI file directly, so what I do is just create a batch file that just contains "etrust antivirus.msi" and that's it. You can then right click the batch file, go to properties and change the compatibly mode there, and the msi gets launched with the properties of the calling batch file.

    I use Win2003 at home too (so my girlfriend can use the machine during the day and I can remote in from work and work simultaneously) and I think I did something like this when I was installing powertoys and other desktop-y type stuff.

  • Comment by Pierre | August 24, 2006 @ 2:37 am

    It worked like charm....thanks for the tip

  • Comment by Zack | September 22, 2006 @ 3:44 am

    Amazing its works! for me too.
    Thanks

  • Comment by Richard | February 22, 2007 @ 5:04 pm

    Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately none of these approaches work for me for installing the Command Prompt Here Powertoy (cmdhere.dll). The /V /a approach works initially, but the DLL register step fails (I believe the shell hooks are wrong). Using the batch file compatibility setting doesn't have any effect--you still get the XP version warning.

    The only method I've found to install this powertoy under Windows Server 2003 is to go back and use the version from the Windows 95 Powertoys (DOSHERE.INF). Amazingly, this still works and is more or less available (Microsoft moves it occasionally) if you Google "Windows 95 Powertoys."

  • Comment by John | March 8, 2007 @ 8:57 pm

    Good stuff, I'll be trying it with the other powertoys.

    Keep fighting the good fight... err, something.

  • Comment by John | March 8, 2007 @ 8:57 pm

    Oh ya, and nice pirate flag. :P

  • Comment by Dan | March 30, 2007 @ 5:49 pm

    Why don't you just download the Windows Server 2003 resource kit from Microsoft? It contains the Command Here utility and installs without any issues in Server 2003.

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&DisplayLang=en

  • Comment by Doug Whitfield | April 23, 2007 @ 7:08 pm

    I tried this in Vista and though it said the DLL registered, the resize picture stuff didn't show up. :( Anybody got a hack for Vista?

    As somewhat of an aside, if Vista sales continue to be less than stellar, maybe we'll see some opening up of code. IE goes open perhaps? That won't help with this issue, but I think Microsoft is feeling some pressure and it's going to have to give soon. I think it'll happen sooner rather than later if they're smart! I know at work we aren't planning to go to Vista for another year. I've been the only one using it at work and got feed up with it and made a Ghost image. I can a nice, new Gigabit card though, that I'm going to play with before going back to XP though.

  • Comment by Mark Wilson | June 21, 2007 @ 8:56 pm

    Thank YOU!

  • Comment by P.N. | August 8, 2007 @ 12:33 am

    The options /V /a are not accepted by my Windows Server 2003 SP2 machine.

  • Comment by J.C. | September 4, 2007 @ 9:18 pm

    I tried all the above methods on the Virtual Desktop Manager Powertoy as well to no avail. It extracts to an MSI, which I then called from a bat file which had the compatability mode changed to Windows XP. I still got the error message. There is some similar freeware out there but I would rather it be the same across machines if possible as I usually dual-quad boot everything depending on the purpose of the environment I setup. Any other ideas?

  • Comment by Matt | November 19, 2007 @ 3:33 am

    Thanks, the powertoy I missed the most was the Alt-Tab replacement. Using the /V /a it unpacks in the same way but leaves you with a .exe, which you just run. Brilliant!! Thanks again.

  • Comment by Justin | December 4, 2007 @ 12:02 am

    I tried this, appeared to work just fine, no errors or anything (extracting the system 32 file etc). The resize option appears when I right click, but nothing happens, no error or anything... I am going to try rebooting...

  • Comment by NetworksIP | December 8, 2007 @ 9:42 pm

    Works Perfect for me, thank you

  • Comment by Mark | January 31, 2008 @ 8:00 am

    I installed the server resource kit but the command line here functionality is still missing. Do I have to manually install the .inf file? If so, where is it stored?

  • Comment by romans | February 17, 2008 @ 12:00 pm

    Worked wonderfully! No more mstsc to an XP box to resize peoples 11 Megapixal images of after hour drinking.

  • Comment by Emmuel | March 14, 2008 @ 8:37 pm

    That works of Virtual Desktop~ THX for share

  • Comment by rexhunt | May 5, 2008 @ 11:23 am

    you need to right click on cmdhere.inf file nad select install. Now ju will have "CMD Here" option on right click menu :-)

  • Comment by John | June 16, 2008 @ 7:54 am

    Thanks.It works.

  • Comment by peter | June 28, 2008 @ 5:08 pm

    Has anyone tried this on Windows Server 2008 yet??

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