Determine the registered application for an extension

Question

I've got a file extension and I'd like to get the name of the application (if there is one) that will be invoked when I ShellExecute a file of that type. This is a WTL/C++ app. Is there any sample code out there that does this?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Sorry, no code, but some useful information. See this related question: how-does-vista-generate-the-icon-for-documents-associated-to-my-application

It asked about icons, but it turns out the program associated to an extension is stored in the same place in the registry as the icon for that extension.

Answer 2

twk,

You're probably looking for the Win32 AssocQueryStringByKey Function.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb773473(VS.85).aspx

The ASSOCSTR value that specifies the type of string that is to be returned:

typedef enum {
    ASSOCSTR_COMMAND = 1,
    ASSOCSTR_EXECUTABLE,
    ASSOCSTR_FRIENDLYDOCNAME,
    ASSOCSTR_FRIENDLYAPPNAME,
    ASSOCSTR_NOOPEN,
    ASSOCSTR_SHELLNEWVALUE,
    ASSOCSTR_DDECOMMAND,
    ASSOCSTR_DDEIFEXEC,
    ASSOCSTR_DDEAPPLICATION,
    ASSOCSTR_DDETOPIC,
    ASSOCSTR_INFOTIP,
    ASSOCSTR_QUICKTIP,
    ASSOCSTR_TILEINFO,
    ASSOCSTR_CONTENTTYPE,
    ASSOCSTR_DEFAULTICON,
    ASSOCSTR_SHELLEXTENSION,
    ASSOCSTR_DROPTARGET,
    ASSOCSTR_DELEGATEEXECUTE,
    ASSOCSTR_MAX
} ASSOCSTR;

My guess is that you want ASSOCSTR_FRIENDLYAPPNAME.

Answer 3

It's a Win32 FAQ since 1995 (Shell, see Google Groups, Win32)