vin-spiegel / GongShell

A .NET Windows Shell library.

Gong Solutions Shell Library

The Gong Solutions Shell Library provides controls to enable embedding Windows Explorer-like functionality into .Net 2.0 programs and for creating custom file dialogs. It provides a clean interface into the Windows Shell Namespace from code, allowing easy access to virtual folders such as the Recycle Bin.

Easily Create Cusom File Dialogs

Using the Gong Solutions Shell Library, you can create custom file dialogs with just a few lines of code. Just drop a FileDialogToolbar control and a ShellView control onto your form, link them together and you have a basic file dialog!

See the tutorial here

Embed Windows Explorer in your Applications

Using the Gong Solutions Shell Library, you can embed Windows explorer in your applications by simply adding two controls. Just drop a ShellTreeView control and a ShellView control onto your form, link them together and you can be browsing in no time!

See the tutorial here

Access the Windows Shell from Code

The Windows Shell is a notoriously difficult API to code to. The Gong Solutions Shell Library provides a clean, flexible, user friendly route into the Shell Namespace from code

using System;
using GongSolutions.Shell;

namespace ConsoleApplication1 
{
    class Program 
    {
        static void Main(string[] args) 
        {
            ShellItem folder = new ShellItem(Environment.SpecialFolder.MyDocuments);

            foreach (ShellItem item in folder) 
            {
                Console.WriteLine(item.FileSystemPath);
            } 
        } 
    } 
}    

I also added a few unofficial features.

1. enable window context menu

var shellView = new ShellView();
shellView.CustomContextMenuEnable = true;
shellView.ContextMenuStrip = new ContextMenuStrip();
shellView.ItemContextMenuStrip = new ContextMenuStrip();

License

MIT