Using Associations to Find and Start Applications

File Manager includes an Associate dialog box that makes it possible for users to associate a filename extension with a specific application. File Manager stores these associations in the registry (under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Description\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Extensions). If a file has a filename extension that is associated with an application, that application starts automatically whenever a user double-clicks that file in File Manager.

Using the FindExecutable and ShellExecute functions, applications can take advantage of such associations to find and start applications or open and print files.

An application can use the FindExecutable function to retrieve the name and handle of the executable file that is associated with a specified filename. The ShellExecute function either opens or prints a specified file, depending on the value of its lpOperation parameter. To open a document file, the function relies on the association of the filename extension.

You can use ShellExecute to open or explore a folder. To open a folder, use either of the following calls:

ShellExecute(handle, NULL, "path_to_folder", NULL, NULL, SW_SHOWNORMAL);

ShellExecute(handle, "open", "path_to_folder", NULL, NULL, SW_SHOWNORMAL);

To explore a folder, use the following call:

ShellExecute(handle, "explore", "path_to_folder", NULL, NULL, SW_SHOWNORMAL);

If the lpOperation parameter is NULL, the function opens the file specified by its lpFile parameter. If lpOperation is "open" or "explore", the function will force a open window or explorer.

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