C# get explorer.exe to return a file path

Question

In my C# application (using Visual Studio 2010 ultimate) the user needs to select a certain file. I've created a basic file explorer which pretty much works but doesn't look great.

I've been asked to use the standard Windows file Explorer.

I know how to open it:

Process.Start("explorer.exe");

But how can I get a file path returned from it?

Answer 1

To select a file, the Net Framework provides the OpenFileDialog component. You can see the reference at MSDN here

But basically, all you have to do is:

Create an Instance of OpenFileDialog

using(OpenFileDialog openFileDialog1 = new OpenFileDialog())
{

Set the initial property

    openFileDialog1.InitialDirectory = "c:\\" ;
    openFileDialog1.Filter = "txt files (*.txt)|*.txt|All files (*.*)|*.*" ;
    openFileDialog1.FilterIndex = 2 ;
    openFileDialog1.RestoreDirectory = true ;

Open the control calling the ShowDialog, wait for the OK press from the user and grab the file selected

    if(openFileDialog1.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
    {
        string fileSelected = openFileDialog1.FileName;
    }
}

Notice the using statement around the OpenFileDialog(), while not strictly necessary this will assure the Disposing of the dialog