Highlight a filename in the current directory (explorer window)

[Precision999]

Hi

I'm looking to copy a file to the current directory open in an explorer window (I'm going to get the program to launch from the right button context menu).

I've got the file to copy over, but I need to be able to highlight/select it - the same as if the user had clicked on it.

Essentially I need a bit of code I can pass 'path/file 3.txt' to which will take me from this:





to this:





Something similar was done in this post, but I need to work with the current explorer window, not open a new one.

Is this possible?

Thanks for reading!

[.paul.]

Try this...

Process.Start("explorer.exe", "/select," & "PATH_TO_FILETOSELECT")

[passel]

Try this...

Process.Start("explorer.exe", "/select," & "PATH_TO_FILETOSELECT")

Doesn't that start a new explorer, which he stated he didn't want.

...
Something similar was done in this post, but I need to work with the current explorer window, not open a new one.

Is this possible?
...

[.paul.]

Doesn't that start a new explorer, which he stated he didn't want.

I noticed that after i posted. I had a look in spy++. Don't think that's possible that way. Doesn't classic vb have a curdir method? Is there something similar for setting the current file?

[.paul.]

Might be possible with SendKeys...

[Precision999]

Thanks for replies guys.

I do indeed need this to work with the current window rather then opening a new one. I'm not sure how Sendkeys would help, but from experience I'm sure that using it would bite me in the bum at some point or another!

Maybe I need to get the name of the window I'm in - but that still leaves how to 'select' the file - I've no idea how to do that.

Would a different copy method help? - maybe there's a way to do it which leaves the file selected as part of it's process?

Currently I'm just using:

mydir = Directory.GetCurrentDirectory()

My.Computer.FileSystem.CopyFile(<filename and path to copy>, mydir & "\<name of destination file>")

[ChrisE]

hi,

this will return what is selected in the "current" Explorer, see if this helps
the selected Files I added to a Listbox

Option Strict On

'Add Ref. COM  :
'1)Microsoft Shell Controls
'2)Microsoft Shell Controls and Automation

Imports Shell32
Imports SHDocVw

Public Class Form1

    Private Function GetExplorerSelectedFiles() As String()
        Dim ExplorerFiles As New List(Of String)
        Dim exShell As New Shell
        For Each window As ShellBrowserWindow In DirectCast(exShell.Windows, IShellWindows)
            ' check both for either interface to work
            '    add an Exit for to just work the first explorer window 
            If TryCast(window.Document, IShellFolderViewDual) IsNot Nothing Then
                For Each fi As FolderItem In DirectCast(window.Document, IShellFolderViewDual).SelectedItems
                    ExplorerFiles.Add(fi.Path)
                Next

            ElseIf TryCast(window.Document, ShellFolderView) IsNot Nothing Then
                For Each fi As FolderItem In DirectCast(window.Document, ShellFolderView).SelectedItems
                    ExplorerFiles.Add(fi.Path)
                Next

            End If
        Next

        Return ExplorerFiles.ToArray
    End Function

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim files = GetExplorerSelectedFiles()
        ListBox1.Items.AddRange(files)
    End Sub
End Class

HTH