title: How do I make my Perl scripts act like normal programs on Windows?
body: <p>I want my Perl scripts to behave just like any other executable (*.exe file).</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>When I double-click on <code>myscript.pl</code> I want it to execute instead of opening in a text editor.</li>
  <li>I want to run <code>myscript.pl</code> instead of <code>perl myscript.pl</code>.</li>
  <li>I really want to run <code>myscript</code> instead of <code>myscript.pl</code>.</li>
  <li>I want to run <code>program | myscript</code> instead of <code>program | perl myscript.pl</code>.</li>
  <li>I want to be able to run my script via drag &amp; drop.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>There are a number of changes you have to make on Windows to make all of 
  these things work. Users typically stumble upon things that <em>don't</em> work one at 
  a time; leaving them confused whether they've made an error, there's a bug in 
  Perl, there's a bug in Windows, or the behavior they want just isn't possible. 
  This question is intended to provide a single point of reference for making 
  everything work up front; ideally before these problems even occur.</p>
  
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