Accessing the Shell Folder Browser Dialog in .net

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Looking to find out if the .Net framework has been updated to include a shell folder dialog. I know it is possible through an API wrapper such as this Folder Browser component for .NET

The wrapper example works fine, but it is several years old so I am wondering if the .Net Framework now includes this functionality?

I am aware of the basic FolderBrowser dialog, but that is too limited for my purposes. I like the user to be able to have the same shell folder browser functionality that is demonstrated by the above example. Mainly the ability to type in a path manually rather than always be forced to browse from the root level; ie if a user knows the path, then allow the user to type it (or copy\paste). Also the shell folder browser has auto complete when typing in a path. The basic FolderBrowser dialog seems just a tad dated and limited.

Thanks

Posted 22-Dec-10 22:35pm

nrnoble

Updated 22-Dec-10 22:37pm

v3

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2 solutions

Solution 1

AFAIK we do not have anything else avaiable in .Net.

Posted 23-Dec-10 2:57am

dan!sh

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Accepted Answer · 2010-12-23T08:29:00

Sorry, I do have some answer, but it is not going to be very good. Hope, it may help.

I know two approaches.
One of them is using CommonDialog.HookProc method.
I never used it, but saw some relevant works on CodeProject.

This is one:
Extending the save file dialog class in .NET[^].

(Do you need System.Windows.Forms? WPF is another story...)
Sorry, this is about safe file dialog, not folder dialog, but perhaps you will be able to catch the idea. Also, you might search and dig out some more similar solutions to find something closer using the same idea.

Another approach is... making all the functionality from scratch. You know... not so easy... can be out of style...

Unfortunately, it does not look that painless way exists.

Any other idea, anyone? Would be highly valuable.