How to open a generic file?

Question

I need a way to open a generic file with the default application for that file.

For example: if the file is an HTML file, then it will be opened with Internet Explorer; if the file is an image (JPG, BMP, etc.), then it will be opened with "Paint"; if the file is an MP3 file, then it will be opened with Windows Media Player.

How can I do this ? What function or API do I have to use ?

possible duplicate of [How do i launch files in C#](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1283584/how-do-i-launch-files-in-c) — abelenky, Jan 29 '11 at 22:31

ZippyV · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-29T22:34:35.517

9

Use the ShellExecute function: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb762153(VS.85).aspx

EDIT: or ShellExecuteEx

edited Jan 29 '11 at 22:34

answered Jan 29 '11 at 22:26

ZippyV

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Or better yet, ShellExecuteEx. – jwismar Jan 29 '11 at 22:34

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 29 '11 at 23:39

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Another solution is to use standard system function - http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/clibrary/cstdlib/system/ so you won't even need to depend on WinAPI.

E.g.: system("start <filename>");

answered Jan 29 '11 at 23:39

asciz

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How to open a generic file?

2 Answers2