Resolve the target of a shortcut.lnk file? [RESOLVED]

[DaveBo]

Does anyone have a simple (black box) routine that can accept the path/name of a shortcut link file and return it's target path/name?

I want to be able to drag/drop desktop shortcuts onto a VB app that will then process the underlying target file that the shortcut points to.

I've been searching, but everything I've found is very convoluted.

Thanks, DaveBo

[manavo11]

Search here for lnk files :

http://www.filespecs.com/index.jsp
http://www.wotsit.org/

[BuggyProgrammer]

try this:

Dim WS As Object
Dim oShellLink As Object
 
Set WS = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set oShellLink = WS.CreateShortcut("C:\YOURsHORTCUT.lnk") 'all shotcuts end in .LNK
MsgBox oShellLink.TargetPath
Set WS = Nothing
Set oShellLink = Nothing

[DaveBo]

Buggy,

The line
Set WS = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
gives an "automation error, the specified procedure could not be found"

Do I need to add a reference? I tried adding all the "script"-like refs I could find but it still fails.

Thanks, DaveBo

[BuggyProgrammer]

make a reference to Windows Scripting Host Model

then this code:

Private Sub Form_Load()
Dim WS As WshShell
Dim oShellLink As WshShortcut
 
Set WS = New WshShell
Set oShellLink = WS.CreateShortcut("C:\YOURsHORTCUT.lnk") 'all shotcuts end in .LNK
MsgBox oShellLink.TargetPath
Set WS = Nothing
Set oShellLink = Nothing
End Sub

if you don't have the Windows Scripting Host Model then i dunno maybe your version of VB does not come with it.

[omfggaymod]

anyone want to make a program that searchs for ink files and list there full path of the ink and then after it finds all the possable inks it will check to see if it works. if it dont then add to remove list but wont remove it unless wanted to. with the code bug submited(which is great, didnt know there was a option to do that) thanks bug!

but still if anyone wants to work on a project like this i have msn so we can share desktops to see what each of us are doing and stuff like that. Also what would you rate a program skill like this?

to me i think its begginer/intermediate not hard cuse its not really that hard if ya get stuck we can trust vb forums.




-aymod/raymond

[DaveBo]

The closest I could find in references was
"Windows Script Host Object Model" wshom.ocx
does that sound right?

But at Set WS = New WshShell
it returns "Automation error. The specified procedure could not be found."

I'm using VB6 on a Win2000 machine right now. DaveBo

[DaveBo]

Just tried on a Win98 PC, same reference, and it works fine.

Thanks, DaveBo