How to use Shell32 within a C# application?

Question

What should I include within a C# application in order to make Shell32 work?

Edit:

My application can't recognize shell32. What references or lib should I include? What I'm trying to do is:

Shell32.Shell shell = new Shell32.Shell(); 

What I'm getting as an error:

Error 1 The type or namespace name 'Shell32' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

Answer 1

maybe this can help:

1. Right click project
2. Click Add reference
3. Click .COM tab in Add reference dialogue
4. Select Microsoft Shell Controls and Automation
5. Click OK

your shell32 is ready to use...

Answer 2

Just Add Reference to Shell32.dll form the Windows/system32 folder and use it:

Shell32.Shell shell = new Shell32.Shell();
shell.MinimizeAll();

Answer 3

The class shown below should help with some of the methods of shell32 in C# . you should add the reference of "Microsoft Shell command and automation" with the reference window by righting clicking the project .

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

    namespace MusicMuttPrototype
    {
        public class clsShellFileInfo
        {
            public Exception errorException;
            public enum FileDetailInfo
            {
                Name = 0,
                Year = 15,
                Size = 1,
                Track_Number = 19,
                Type = 2,
                Genre = 20,
                Date_Modified = 3,
                Duration = 27,
                Date_Created = 4,
                Bit_Rate = 28,
                Date_Accessed = 5,
                Protected = 23,
                Attributes = 6,
                Camera_Model = 24,
                Status = 7,
                Date_Picture_Taken = 25,
                Owner = 8,
                Dimensions = 26,
                Author = 9,
                Not_used = 27,
                Title = 10,
                Not_used_file = 28,
                Subject = 11,
                //Not_used = 29,
                Category = 12,
                Company = 30,
                Pages = 13,
                Description = 31,
                Comments = 14,
                File_Version = 32,
                Copyright = 15,
                Product_Name_Chapter = 33,
                //Scripting Quicktest Profess11ional Page 63 
                Artist = 16,
                Product_Version = 34,
                Album_Title = 17,
                Retrieves_the_info_tip_inf = -1
            }

            public string getFileDetails(string fileFolder, string filePath, FileDetailInfo infotype)
            {
                string strReturnval = "";
                try
                {
                    Shell32.Shell fileshell = new Shell32.Shell();
                    Shell32.Folder fileshellfolder = fileshell.NameSpace(fileFolder);
                    Shell32.FolderItem Item = fileshellfolder.ParseName(filePath);
                    strReturnval = fileshellfolder.GetDetailsOf(Item, (int)infotype);
                }
                catch (Exception ex)
                {

                    errorException = ex;
                }
                return strReturnval;
            }


        }
    }

Answer 4

I know this thread is old, but I post this for anyone having the same problem as I did. The solution above does not compile under windows 8

Shell32.Shell shell = new Shell32.Shell(); <= this doesn't work with windows 8

Use the work around below if you want your apps to run under windows 8.

using Shell32;

private Shell32.Folder GetShell32Folder(string folderPath)
{
    Type shellAppType = Type.GetTypeFromProgID("Shell.Application");
    Object shell = Activator.CreateInstance(shellAppType);
    return (Shell32.Folder)shellAppType.InvokeMember("NameSpace",
    System.Reflection.BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, null, shell, new object[] { folderPath });
}

Answer 5

1. Right click your project in the solution explorer.
2. Choose "Add Reference..." from the drop-down menu.
3. Click the "Browse" tab.
4. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
5. Choose the "shell32.dll" file. and press the "OK" button.

You now have the appropriate reference for using Shell32.Shell.

Answer 6

I'm guessing that you're having trouble getting any calls recognized, so I'd refer you to this general article: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/shell/csdoesshell1.aspx

Beyond that, you'll need to provide specifics of what isn't working for you.