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* Neveprise Inc. Delphi FAQ					*
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* Section: Files		Topic:   Delete running exe	*
* Created: July 27th, 1999	Revised: July 27th, 1999 	*
* Updates: www.neveprise.de	Info:	 support@neveprise.de	*
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Q: How can I delete a running executeable?

A: Practically, it is not possible to delete a running binary. But
	there are two other ways you might use: a) you have to 
	launch another app that deletes the calling one or b) you
	can tell Windows to remove your app (e.g. a deinstallation
	app). That can be done via Registry: there is a key that
	is queried once, executed what is in it and deleted after
	that by Windows. The Key RunOnce or RunOnceEx:


procedure DelRunningExeH(FileOrDirName: string; IsDirectory: boolean);
var Reg: TRegIniFile;
begin
Reg:=TRegIniFile.Create('');
if IsDirectory=false then begin
   Reg.WriteString('\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
	\RunOnce','FileOrDirName','command.com /c del '+FileOrDirName);
end else begin
   Reg.WriteString('\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
	\RunOnce','FileOrDirName','command.com /c rd '+FileOrDirName);
end;
Reg.Free;
end;


As you see, we just write a command line like in DOS into that key's
value. The key itself can be named whatever you like. What Windows
does on boot is this: it enums all idents in that key RunOnce and
passes the contents / the value to the command line interpreter (it
must not be DOS!); then this ident and the value will be removed to
avoid a second execution, what will cause errors each time Windows
restarts.


	Blazko