access to target path of a shortcut [resolved]

[marq]

I have researched all over the web and have yet to find a solution to my problem. If I have a shortcut file with .lnk extension in vb.net, how can I then locate the target path of that shortcut? I have seen this same question asked in the vb general questions regarding vb6 and there were no responses there.

My current application:
I populate a filelistbox with the desktop shortcut files- now I would like to find the path of each of the *.exe files that the .lnk file targets. Any ideas?

[trisuglow]

Add a multiline textbox to Form1 and copy the following code. You'll need to modify it to point to your desktop rather than mine.

You also will need to add a reference to Windows Script Host Model.

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
 
        'Add a reference to "Windows Script Host Model"
 
        Dim fs As String = Dir("C:\Documents and Settings\tuglow\Desktop\*.lnk")
        Dim txtStr As String = ""
 
        While fs <> ""
            Dim str As String = "C:\Documents and Settings\tuglow\Desktop\" & fs
 
            Dim wShell As New IWshRuntimeLibrary.WshShell()
            Dim shrt As IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut
 
            shrt = wShell.CreateShortcut(str)
 
            txtStr &= shrt.TargetPath & vbCrLf
 
            fs = Dir()
        End While
 
        TextBox1.Multiline = True
        TextBox1.Text = txtStr
 
    End Sub

[marq]

thanks Tris- works like a charm! I can see that the main problem I had, I didn't know how to use the WSH in vb.net. After seeing your solution I found a good reference for adding WSH to vb.net.
Here is a link to that page-
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...et07232002.asp