Topic: create-object with windows explorer

[mkweaver]

I can open an explorer window to a path with this:  (startapp "Explorer"(strcat "/N, " pathname))
But if there is a window already open to that path, then I just want to activate it, not open a duplicate window.

Suggestions appreciated.

[MickD]

I'm not sure it can be done, I just had a look and a play with powershell with no luck.
https://superuser.com/questions/1787789/command-line-to-have-windows-explorer-open-folder-in-existing-instance-of-explor

anyway, I'd look up the command flags for explorer and try to get it working in cmd or powershell then you're all but done (if it can be done...)

[Lee Mac]

You might try the AppActivate method of the WSH -
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions//wzcddbek(v=vs.85)

[mkweaver]

Lee Mac and MickD,
Thanks for the suggestions.  I found something that may help, though it is a bit dated (refers to IE): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/developing-with-windows-explorer

Open explorer windows can be discovered and programmed by using IShellWindows (CLSID_ShellWindows)...

I think using WSH to access this I'll be able to do what I want.

I'll post back what I find.

[PKENEWELL]

I've been using this for years:

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. (defun c:EXPLORE ()
2.    (if (= (getvar "dwgtitled") 1)
3.       (startapp (strcat "explorer.exe /e,/select,\"" (getvar "dwgprefix") (getvar "dwgname") "\""))
4.       (startapp (strcat "explorer.exe /e,\"" (getvar "dwgprefix") "\""))
5.    )
6.    (princ)
7. )
8.  

[ronjonp]

Lee Mac and MickD,
Thanks for the suggestions.  I found something that may help, though it is a bit dated (refers to IE): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/developing-with-windows-explorer

Open explorer windows can be discovered and programmed by using IShellWindows (CLSID_ShellWindows)...

I think using WSH to access this I'll be able to do what I want.

I'll post back what I find.

This has been bugging me for years as well! I may have found the solution today ( works on my computer Win 11, Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631) A simple mod from 'explore to 'open.

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. (defun c:cd (/ _opendirectory)
2.   (defun _opendirectory (path / sa)
3.     (cond ((and (eq 'str (type path))
4.                 (findfile (vl-string-right-trim "\\" path))
5.                 (setq sa (vlax-create-object "Shell.Application"))
6.            )
7.            ;; ;; RJP » 2024-02-14
8.            ;; Using 'open vs 'explore will not open multiple windows with the same path
9.            (vlax-invoke sa 'open path)
10.            (vlax-release-object sa)
11.           )
12.     )
13.     (princ)
14.   )
15.   (_opendirectory (getvar 'dwgprefix))
16. )

[mkweaver]

This has been bugging me for years as well! I may have found the solution today ( works on my computer Win 11, Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631) A simple mod from 'explore to 'open.

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. (defun c:cd (/ _opendirectory)
2.   (defun _opendirectory (path / sa)
3.     (cond ((and (eq 'str (type path))
4.                 (findfile (vl-string-right-trim "\\" path))
5.                 (setq sa (vlax-create-object "Shell.Application"))
6.            )
7.            ;; ;; RJP » 2024-02-14
8.            ;; Using 'open vs 'explore will not open multiple windows with the same path
9.            (vlax-invoke sa 'open path)
10.            (vlax-release-object sa)
11.           )
12.     )
13.     (princ)
14.   )
15.   (_opendirectory (getvar 'dwgprefix))
16. )

That is exactly the behavior I wanted!  Thanks!  Now I need to dig through some of my older code and switch to this.

[ronjonp]

This has been bugging me for years as well! I may have found the solution today ( works on my computer Win 11, Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631) A simple mod from 'explore to 'open.

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. (defun c:cd (/ _opendirectory)
2.   (defun _opendirectory (path / sa)
3.     (cond ((and (eq 'str (type path))
4.                 (findfile (vl-string-right-trim "\\" path))
5.                 (setq sa (vlax-create-object "Shell.Application"))
6.            )
7.            ;; ;; RJP » 2024-02-14
8.            ;; Using 'open vs 'explore will not open multiple windows with the same path
9.            (vlax-invoke sa 'open path)
10.            (vlax-release-object sa)
11.           )
12.     )
13.     (princ)
14.   )
15.   (_opendirectory (getvar 'dwgprefix))
16. )

That is exactly the behavior I wanted!  Thanks!  Now I need to dig through some of my older code and switch to this.

Cheers!