Process.Start(path) is not opening the file in Default Desktop Application

Question

I am trying open a downloaded file in it's default desktop application e.g. if that's a '.txt' file this should open in notepad and if it's a ('.docx') file, this should be opened using 'wordpad.exe' (if MS Word is not installed). I am trying to open the file using very common 'Process.Start()' method:

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(path);

where 'path' is the complete path to the file i.e. c:\somefolder\file.extension

Code is working in the sense that it's being executed without any errors (debugged this as well), and when I check the task manager, relevant process (notpad.exe, wordpad.exe, based on file being opened) is there in the process list. BUT, The desktop application is never launched to show the file. Please guide what am i missing.

It is a little bit unclear, what is the "Desktop Application" ? Where the "System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(path);" runs ? is it a service app ? — Babak Fakhriloo, Apr 30 '19 at 08:45
sorry, i meant native desktop app i.e. notepad for a txt file, wordpad for a docx file — Muhammad Murad Haider, Apr 30 '19 at 08:46
Looks like you want to use shell execute: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5255086/when-do-we-need-to-set-useshellexecute-to-true — StefanFFM, Apr 30 '19 at 09:13
try System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("cmd /c start \""+path+"\""); — Gokhan, Apr 30 '19 at 10:31

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 30 '19 at 10:00

1

Try this:

Process p = new Process();
p.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = true;
p.StartInfo.FileName = path;
p.Start();

answered Apr 30 '19 at 10:00

user11909

1,235
11
27

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 30 '19 at 09:10

0

Based on what you provided there isn't much information to go on. A simple step would be to check what the value of the variable is and paste it in run to see if it actually executes. It might be a tiny issue.

answered Apr 30 '19 at 09:10

RandomCoder

134
9

Process.Start(path) is not opening the file in Default Desktop Application

2 Answers2