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c++windowswinapishellexecute

ShellExecute get access to open folder

I'm using ShellExecute(NULL, L"open", szSomeDirectory, 0, 0, SW_SHOWDEFAULT) to open a directory in explorer.

I'm trying to open a directory that I would normally be prompted with You currently do not have permission to access this folder. and would give me option to get access and show a UAC prompt.

When I'm executing ShellExecute, Explorer gives me a error message saying Access Denied.

My program is running with administrator privileges but that doesn't seem to matter.

How can I get access to open this folder?

Solution

  • Figured it out.

    My user account didn't have access to the file.

    My solution was to use AccessCheck before ShellExecute to see if I could access the file, and if I couldn't, use SetNamedSecurityInfo to add an ACE for the logon user account with full access.