Store Filenames in database from Explorer (VB6)

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I have a requirement to store filenames and paths in an Access database.
The code to write the data in is very simple.
However it is needed to be activated from within explorer.
How easy is it and can anyone give me any pointers (excuse the pun)
as to
1. Integrating a utility like this into the explorer window
It happens all the time with applications like winzip etc
2. Getting it to recognize the file path and name from this location.

If I was writing it from within the database it would be simple.

Thanks

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I think you’re looking for documentation on creating a Shell Extension. Not something I’ve ever programmed, although I have read about it from time to time.

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Rule #1. The registry is your friend.
Rule #2. To really customize windows, you must modify the registry
Rule #3. If Rules 1 and 2 mess up your machine, you can always reinstall the OS.

Okay, seriously, one of the reasons I love the Lounge is because I always find a post that let’s me just plain experiment. Here’s how to do what you want. Take your VB .exe. I wrote a simple one like this:

Sub Main()
msgbox “””” & Command & “”””
End Sub

I called it filetest.exe, and compiled it to the root of my C: drive.

Then, go into your registry (and here is where all warranties and promises go away, do this at your own risk! ). Find HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAllFilesystemObjects
If there is not a key called ‘shell’ (no quotes), then add it. Under the new (or old) shell key, add a new key with the name of the text you want displayed at the top of the ‘right click’ shortcut menu. In my instance, I used Test VB. Then add a key under that new key called ‘Command’ (no quotes). In the default value of that key, I put ‘C:filetest.exe *1’ (again, no quotes, and replace the * asterick with a percent symbol. It’s not posting on the lounge right, so I had to change it!). Now, on every file and folder in Windows explorer, I get a Test VB option in my shortcut menu. Clicking on it displays the full path of the file/folder I am over.

So, in summation, you would have this displayed in regedit:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
AllFilesystemObjects
shell
Your Custom Process Name
Command

Hope this helps.

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Rule #1. The registry is your friend.
Rule #2. To really customize windows, you must modify the registry
Rule #3. If Rules 1 and 2 mess up your machine, you can always reinstall the OS.

Okay, seriously, one of the reasons I love the Lounge is because I always find a post that let’s me just plain experiment. Here’s how to do what you want. Take your VB .exe. I wrote a simple one like this:

Sub Main()
msgbox “””” & Command & “”””
End Sub

I called it filetest.exe, and compiled it to the root of my C: drive.

Then, go into your registry (and here is where all warranties and promises go away, do this at your own risk! ). Find HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAllFilesystemObjects
If there is not a key called ‘shell’ (no quotes), then add it. Under the new (or old) shell key, add a new key with the name of the text you want displayed at the top of the ‘right click’ shortcut menu. In my instance, I used Test VB. Then add a key under that new key called ‘Command’ (no quotes). In the default value of that key, I put ‘C:filetest.exe *1’ (again, no quotes, and replace the * asterick with a percent symbol. It’s not posting on the lounge right, so I had to change it!). Now, on every file and folder in Windows explorer, I get a Test VB option in my shortcut menu. Clicking on it displays the full path of the file/folder I am over.

So, in summation, you would have this displayed in regedit:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
AllFilesystemObjects
shell
Your Custom Process Name
Command

Hope this helps.

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AWESOME!

And so simple too.
I’ve been trawling books about shell programming in VB and C++ (Nightmare)
They have long solutions that involve assorted API function calls.

But this is such a neat answer.
And all I needed, from that return string I can get all the information I need.

Many Thanks.

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No problem, glad it helped.

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No problem, glad it helped.

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AWESOME!

And so simple too.
I’ve been trawling books about shell programming in VB and C++ (Nightmare)
They have long solutions that involve assorted API function calls.

But this is such a neat answer.
And all I needed, from that return string I can get all the information I need.

Many Thanks.

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Andrew

Along similar lines to Drew’s reply, there are numerous utilities around that can do the registry “dirty work” for you, when adding to Explorer’s context menu. For example:

CONTEXT MENU EXTENDER………. CMenuExtender is a shell extension that lets the user add items to the Explorer context menu. Using any registry-editor or the supplied GUI, the user can add submenus and items such as shortcuts to programs, documents, folders, webpages and scripts. CMExt also has some predefined commands for copying, moving and retrieving information on files and directories….. …..!

Alan

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Andrew

Along similar lines to Drew’s reply, there are numerous utilities around that can do the registry “dirty work” for you, when adding to Explorer’s context menu. For example:

CONTEXT MENU EXTENDER………. CMenuExtender is a shell extension that lets the user add items to the Explorer context menu. Using any registry-editor or the supplied GUI, the user can add submenus and items such as shortcuts to programs, documents, folders, webpages and scripts. CMExt also has some predefined commands for copying, moving and retrieving information on files and directories….. …..!

Alan

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