Shell32 Shortcut Management Functions

CreateShortcut()

Creates a new shortcut file (.lnk) or a URL shortcut (.url).

This function allows developers to programmatically create shortcut files, essential for user navigation and application launching.

LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile
The path to the shortcut file to be created.
LPCTSTR pszTargetFile
The path to the file or application that the shortcut points to.
LPCTSTR pszArguments
Optional command-line arguments for the target application.
LPCTSTR pszWorkingDirectory
Optional working directory for the target application.
int iShowCmd
Specifies how the shortcut's window should be displayed when it is invoked (e.g., SW_SHOWNORMAL, SW_MAXIMIZE).
LPCTSTR pszIconLocation
Optional path to the icon file and index for the shortcut.

Return Value

Returns TRUE on success or FALSE on failure.

Remarks

Uses the COM interfaces IShellLink and IPersistFile internally to create the shortcut.


BOOL CreateShortcut(
    LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile,
    LPCTSTR pszTargetFile,
    LPCTSTR pszArguments,
    LPCTSTR pszWorkingDirectory,
    int iShowCmd,
    LPCTSTR pszIconLocation
);

ResolveShortcut()

Resolves a shortcut file to its original target.

This function is useful for finding the actual location of a file or application that a shortcut points to, especially when the shortcut might have been moved or renamed.

HWND hwnd
Handle to the owner window. Used for displaying dialog boxes if the target cannot be found.
LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile
The path to the shortcut file to resolve.
LPTSTR pszTargetFile
A buffer to receive the resolved target file path.
int cchMax
The size of the pszTargetFile buffer.
DWORD fFlags
Flags that control how the shortcut is resolved. See SLR_ constants.

Return Value

Returns TRUE if the shortcut was resolved successfully, FALSE otherwise.

Remarks

This function can prompt the user for assistance if the shortcut's target cannot be found automatically.


BOOL ResolveShortcut(
    HWND hwnd,
    LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile,
    LPTSTR pszTargetFile,
    int cchMax,
    DWORD fFlags
);

GetShortcutTarget()

Retrieves the target path of a shortcut.

A simpler alternative to ResolveShortcut when no user interaction is desired or needed.

LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile
The path to the shortcut file.
LPTSTR pszTargetPath
A buffer to receive the target path.
int cchMax
The size of the pszTargetPath buffer.

Return Value

Returns TRUE if the target path was retrieved successfully, FALSE otherwise.

Remarks

Does not prompt the user if the target is invalid.


BOOL GetShortcutTarget(
    LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile,
    LPTSTR pszTargetPath,
    int cchMax
);

DeleteShortcut()

Deletes a shortcut file.

Provides a straightforward way to remove shortcut files from the file system.

LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile
The path to the shortcut file to delete.

Return Value

Returns TRUE on success, FALSE on failure.

Remarks

This function simply deletes the shortcut file. It does not affect the target of the shortcut.


BOOL DeleteShortcut(
    LPCTSTR pszShortcutFile
);
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