Adding new item to "Look In"/"Save As" combo box in common dialogs

I am trying to integrate a COTS document management software into Windows in order to provide integration for all Windows apps. To do this, my proposed design is to add a new item in the Look In/Save As dropdowns in the common File Open/Save dialog boxes. Typically, the items in the control are drives and folders, however my item will be a link to a DLL control that will process the open/save request through the DM system via API tools.

I have seen this done with another DM package years ago (WinNT) so I know it can happen, but not sure where to begin. I'm not looking to modify the actual common dialogs, rather I need to know where and how the Save/Open dropdown control gets the items.

Any insight or code will be rewarded handsomely!

you should be able to display a shortcut to your dll, in a folder like my documents or my computer, but may need to set it in flags to show shortcuts

I was hoping to be able to present the DM application similar to a drive letter in the drop down. That will be more intuitive for users since it will appear as a physical container just like other local and network resources.

i believe the other items are special folders, such as control panel & my network places that have some key in the registry to make them appear in that way in all explorer type windows, i have forgotten what it was now, but i found information when i was searching how to open common dialog starting at my network places, if you don't get it sorted this week, pm me after i get home next weekend and i will look up what i have

Your thinking of the "Places" location sidebar shortcuts.

I am familiar with the "places" sidebar, those are registry entries to add/remove/edit items shown. However you can only add folder items to that list, not applications or shortcuts to apps. I think Westconn1's comments that there are special folder designations for certain items (such as those listed) that is closer to what I am after. Drives, folders and components must have a particular designation that allows Windows to read them as resources to be included in the "Look In/Save As" drop down.

i have searched a bit more info, the folders that appear on the side bar are "virtual folders" they have a CLSID control panel is HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} and my network places is HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}, you can check these out using regedit for there sub keys

i have no idea about creating new ones, but various cameras and scanners do that so it must be ok, i will see if i can find more info later

Edit: this looks like a good starting point http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com.../ms649735.aspx

Pete,
Just quickly scanned the namespace article on msdn and it looks promising. I'll go through it more in depth and see where it leads. Thanks for the tip.

Ed