How to double click desktop icon programatically?

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Hi,

I want to write some code which will double-click a desktop shortcut. Or the alternate way is, how can I run a desktop shurtcut using Createprocess() API.

Which EXE is responsible to launch Start->Run window?

Thanks in advance.

Posted 15-Aug-09 9:15am

birajendu

Updated 25-Aug-09 10:19am

Sean Ewington

v2

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3 solutions

Solution 1

birajendu wrote:
I want to write some code which will double click a desktop shortcut. or the alternate way is how can i run a desktop shurtcut using Createprocess() api.

If you know the path to the desktop shortcut, then you should be able to use ShellExecute to open it. If you need a process handle (the only reason I can think that you might want to use CreateProcess for this), then ShellExecuteEx will let you do that.

birajendu wrote:
Which exe is responsible to lunch Start->Run window?

Windows Explorer.

Posted 15-Aug-09 13:28pm

Stuart Dootson

Solution 3

This question is not answered. Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) is indeed responsible, but how can one call it problematically as if the user double clicked an application's icon?

Posted 29-Aug-12 6:02am

Michael Haephrati

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Jörgen Sigvardsson · Accepted Answer · 2009-10-13T01:20:00

Solution 2

Don't start processes by simulating behaviors of the user, such as double clicking shortcuts. You never know what the shortcut points to!

Also, insanity lives down that road. Sooner or later you'll be opening the control panel applet by simulating mouse clicks on the start menu...

Posted 13-Oct-09 1:20am

Jörgen Sigvardsson