Super "Windows shortcut" maker with embedded icon

make-shortcut.ps1

param(
    [Parameter(Mandatory)] [string] $Command,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)] [string] $IconFile,
    [string] $Output,
    [switch] $Keep
)

(Get-Content -Encoding UTF8 template.c) -replace "COMMAND_PLACEHOLDER", ($Command -replace '\\', '\\') | Out-File -Encoding UTF8 temp.c
"icon ICON `"$($IconFile -replace '\\', '\\')`"" | Out-File -Encoding UTF8 temp.rc

# Make sure MinGW is installed and can be found in PATH
windres.exe temp.rc temp.o
$gccCmd = "gcc.exe temp.c temp.o -mwindows"
if ($Output) {
    $gccCmd += " -o `"$Output`""
}
else {
    $gccCmd += " -o out.exe"
}
Invoke-Expression $gccCmd

if (-not $Keep) {
    Remove-Item temp.c, temp.rc, temp.o
}

template.c

#include <windows.h>

int main()
{
    WinExec("COMMAND_PLACEHOLDER", SW_HIDE);
    return 0;
}

usage.md

Super "Windows shortcut" maker with embedded icon

Example usage:

.\make-shortcut.ps1 `
    -Command "powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass .\Scripts\start-windowsterminal.ps1" `
    -IconFile 'E:\icons\WindowsTerminal_101.ico' `
    -Output 'E:\Windows Terminal.exe'