how can i run a file from vb, like i was double-clicking on it in Windows? <Shell> only runs executables and common programs with parameters, api's don't work much, better, and although, it isn't perfect, the best seems to be a bat file in which i write the path of the file i want to run. But when i run the bat file the command prompt will appear. So i'm back to my first question:

how can i run a file from vb, like i was double-clicking on it in Windows?

Please help, and thanks.

use ShellExecute WinAPI function. See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=170918 for example

You never actually “run a file.” The program that runs the desktop (and much of Windows) is Explorer (not [u]Internet</u> Explorer). It has functionality built into it that comes into play when a file is double clicked.

If it is an executable, it loads it into memory, and starts it.

But if not, it looks up the file’s extension, checks to see if it has that extension registered, and if so, takes the action that is associated with that registration.

That is what is described in the link that pgtips provided.

the link helped. thanks

Hi try this out paste into a new form add a command button. F5 it

' code starts here

Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Function RunProg(hangle As Long, lzProgName As String, lpOpenState As VbAppWinStyle) As Long
    RunProg = ShellExecute(hangle, "open", lzProgName, vbNullString, vbNullString, lpOpenState)
End Function

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Dim lpReturn As Long

    lpReturn = RunProg(Form1.hwnd, "C:\test.txt", vbNormalFocus)

    If lpReturn = 2 Then
        MsgBox "Error opening file", vbInformation, "Error"
        Exit Sub
    End If

End Sub

' end of code


When ya dreams come true.