Creating Shell Extensions in C#.NET

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cjsoftuk - 28 May 2007 10:32 GMT

Hello,
I'm trying to create a Shell Namespace Extension in C#, but I'm kind of stuck.

I'm using the framework at "http://www.dcooney.com/wiki/?NamespaceExtension"
to create the Namespace, and I can see that. I can see the folders I have
asked it to create when I double click, except they are missing names, they
just show up blank.

I can't even get the MSDN Magazine article (?? Jan 2004) to do anything.

I'm using VC# 2005 Express, which I have heard can't do it all, but it seems
it can. I think I'm probably doping something wrong, but I dunno what!

I can't get the samples included with the aforementioned framework to run as
expected.

Any help from anyone would be *most* appreciated.

Chris

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Tim Van Wassenhove - 28 May 2007 12:34 GMT

cjsoftuk schreef:

> Hello,
> I'm trying to create a Shell Namespace Extension in C#, but I'm kind of stuck.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Any help from anyone would be *most* appreciated.

Since you said *any* help is appreciated, i'd recommend NOT to implement
it in managed code... eg:
http://blogs.msdn.com/junfeng/archive/2005/11/18/494572.aspx

Signature

Tim Van Wassenhove - Read my mind <url:http://www.timvw.be/>

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cjsoftuk - 28 May 2007 22:05 GMT

That's just the encouragement I need.

Please, could you elaborate on this a little and explain how I am supposed
to perform the following *not* using .NET:

I have a Web Application with extension for plugging in other apps.
"My NWBrowse Networks" icon is created in "My Computer"
Upon double clicking that icon, it lists a selection of profiles as folders
(stored locally).
Double clicking on a profile folder, causes the extension to open a web
request to the application to request the root folder.
And then it browses like My Network Neighbourhood.

About 80% of this is easy in Managed .NET, the hard bit is adding the shell
extension.

If I HAVE to use .NET (Which is better/easier for me), how can do it? Or is
it not possible using .NET?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

> cjsoftuk schreef:
> > Hello,
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> it in managed code... eg:
> http://blogs.msdn.com/junfeng/archive/2005/11/18/494572.aspx

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Carl Daniel [VC++ MVP] - 29 May 2007 04:59 GMT

> That's just the encouragement I need.
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> About 80% of this is easy in Managed .NET, the hard bit is adding the
> shell extension.

You can do all that from a good old fashioned Win32 app, using WinINet or
WinHTTP to access your web app. Your shell extension is all COM objects -
use ATL to implement or roll your own from scratch. If you need to invoke
SOAP web services from your shell extension, you might consider using ATL
Server, which was recently released as a shared source project on codeplex.

> If I HAVE to use .NET (Which is better/easier for me), how can do it?
> Or is
> it not possible using .NET?

You could create a native shell extension that communicates with a separate
.NET app running in it's own process through sockets, COM, or any other IPC
mechanism. It's not clear to me that .NET is buying you much in this
scenario - but that really depends on how involved the interaction with your
web app is and how much .NET-specific support there is for whatever it is
you need to do.

-cd

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cjsoftuk - 29 May 2007 11:46 GMT

I've solved the problem, and done it in .NET.

Nice idea, but given that i'm not an MFC/ATL man at all (absolutely hate the
stuff), it'd prefer to stick to .NET!

It's all done, thanks for the help and thread closed.

Chris

> > That's just the encouragement I need.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> -cd

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Creating Shell Extensions in C#.NET

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