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Finding the path to the pictures

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  • J JR212

    Hi, THIS IS NOT FOR .NET. I need this in vbs, js and vba I want to findout the path to the active user his pictures. I know how the find the documents, desktop of favorites throu specialfolders but pictures is'nt in it :( In google I didn't find anything usefull. Jan

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    Dave Kreskowiak
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    There is no enumeration to get to Pictures from VBA and VBScript. Pictures was never added to those old things. Javascript in a browser has no access to the users filesystem so that's pretty much useless, unless you want to describe what you're doing with it. The work around is to just use the path of "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures".

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    • D Dave Kreskowiak

      There is no enumeration to get to Pictures from VBA and VBScript. Pictures was never added to those old things. Javascript in a browser has no access to the users filesystem so that's pretty much useless, unless you want to describe what you're doing with it. The work around is to just use the path of "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures".

      A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

      Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
      Dave Kreskowiak

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      Lost User
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      ..that would be assuming a desktop with the English culture.

      Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

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      • L Lost User

        ..that would be assuming a desktop with the English culture.

        Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

        J Offline
        J Offline
        JR212
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        indeed. This is not working for us:( this is a working pc and all data folders are on a nas server. thanks for the responses anyway. maybee I can find it in the registry? but where? Jan

        L 1 Reply Last reply
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        • J JR212

          Hi, THIS IS NOT FOR .NET. I need this in vbs, js and vba I want to findout the path to the active user his pictures. I know how the find the documents, desktop of favorites throu specialfolders but pictures is'nt in it :( In google I didn't find anything usefull. Jan

          Richard DeemingR Offline
          Richard DeemingR Offline
          Richard Deeming
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          For VBA, you'll need to use either SHGetFolderPath[^] or the newer SHGetKnownFolderPath[^]. How To Use the SHGetFolderPath Function from Visual Basic[^]

          Option Explicit

          Private Const S_OK = &H0
          Private Const S_FALSE = &H1
          Private Const E_INVALIDARG = &H80070057

          Private Const MAX_PATH = 260
          Private Const SHGFP_TYPE_CURRENT = 0
          Private Const CSIDL_MYPICTURES = &H27

          Private Declare Function SHGetFolderPath Lib "shfolder" _
          Alias "SHGetFolderPathA" _
          (ByVal hwndOwner As Long, ByVal nFolder As Long, _
          ByVal hToken As Long, ByVal dwFlags As Long, _
          ByVal pszPath As String) As Long

          Private Function GetFolderPath(ByVal csidl As Long) As String
          Dim path As String
          Dim returnValue As Long

          path = String(MAX\_PATH, 0)
          returnValue = SHGetFolderPath(0, csidl, 0, SHGFP\_TYPE\_CURRENT, path)
          
          Select Case returnValue
              Case S\_OK
                  GetFolderPath = Left(path, InStr(1, path, Chr(0)) - 1)
              
              Case S\_FALSE
                  ' The CSIDL in nFolder is valid, but the folder does not exist.
                  ' Use CSIDL\_FLAG\_CREATE to have it created automatically
                  GetFolderPath = vbNullString
              
              Case E\_INVALIDARG
                  ' nFolder is invalid
                  Err.Raise 5, "csidl", "Invalid folder"
          End Select
          

          End Function

          Public Function GetPicturesFolderPath() As String
          GetPicturesFolderPath = GetFolderPath(CSIDL_MYPICTURES)
          End Function

          For script running locally, you could read the folder path from the registry (HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders). However, there is a warning in that key telling you not to do that! :) Since you can't call Windows functions directly from script, you'd need to create a COM object to call the Windows API, and invoke that object from your script. For script running in the browser, there is no way to

          "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined" - Homer

          D J 2 Replies Last reply
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          • Richard DeemingR Richard Deeming

            For VBA, you'll need to use either SHGetFolderPath[^] or the newer SHGetKnownFolderPath[^]. How To Use the SHGetFolderPath Function from Visual Basic[^]

            Option Explicit

            Private Const S_OK = &H0
            Private Const S_FALSE = &H1
            Private Const E_INVALIDARG = &H80070057

            Private Const MAX_PATH = 260
            Private Const SHGFP_TYPE_CURRENT = 0
            Private Const CSIDL_MYPICTURES = &H27

            Private Declare Function SHGetFolderPath Lib "shfolder" _
            Alias "SHGetFolderPathA" _
            (ByVal hwndOwner As Long, ByVal nFolder As Long, _
            ByVal hToken As Long, ByVal dwFlags As Long, _
            ByVal pszPath As String) As Long

            Private Function GetFolderPath(ByVal csidl As Long) As String
            Dim path As String
            Dim returnValue As Long

            path = String(MAX\_PATH, 0)
            returnValue = SHGetFolderPath(0, csidl, 0, SHGFP\_TYPE\_CURRENT, path)
            
            Select Case returnValue
                Case S\_OK
                    GetFolderPath = Left(path, InStr(1, path, Chr(0)) - 1)
                
                Case S\_FALSE
                    ' The CSIDL in nFolder is valid, but the folder does not exist.
                    ' Use CSIDL\_FLAG\_CREATE to have it created automatically
                    GetFolderPath = vbNullString
                
                Case E\_INVALIDARG
                    ' nFolder is invalid
                    Err.Raise 5, "csidl", "Invalid folder"
            End Select
            

            End Function

            Public Function GetPicturesFolderPath() As String
            GetPicturesFolderPath = GetFolderPath(CSIDL_MYPICTURES)
            End Function

            For script running locally, you could read the folder path from the registry (HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders). However, there is a warning in that key telling you not to do that! :) Since you can't call Windows functions directly from script, you'd need to create a COM object to call the Windows API, and invoke that object from your script. For script running in the browser, there is no way to

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Dave Kreskowiak
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            Richard Deeming wrote:

            However, there is a warning in that key telling you not to do that!

            I thought you mistyped this until I went and looked at the key. No, you didn't. It's in there! :-D The path to Pictures is listed as "My Pictures", but like you said before, is this name localized? I have no idea.

            A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

            Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
            Dave Kreskowiak

            Richard DeemingR 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • D Dave Kreskowiak

              Richard Deeming wrote:

              However, there is a warning in that key telling you not to do that!

              I thought you mistyped this until I went and looked at the key. No, you didn't. It's in there! :-D The path to Pictures is listed as "My Pictures", but like you said before, is this name localized? I have no idea.

              A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

              Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
              Dave Kreskowiak

              Richard DeemingR Offline
              Richard DeemingR Offline
              Richard Deeming
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              I don't think the names would be localized, but I don't have a non-English version of Windows to check. I've just added a link to a blog post from Raymond Chen, who explains that the "Shell Folders" key exists solely to permit four programs written in 1994 to continue running on the RTM version of Windows 95. :wtf:


              "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

              "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined" - Homer

              L D 2 Replies Last reply
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              • Richard DeemingR Richard Deeming

                I don't think the names would be localized, but I don't have a non-English version of Windows to check. I've just added a link to a blog post from Raymond Chen, who explains that the "Shell Folders" key exists solely to permit four programs written in 1994 to continue running on the RTM version of Windows 95. :wtf:


                "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                The names are localized. I got a folder "My Pictures", one called "Pictures" and one "Mijn Afbeeldingen". To make things worse, this does not say anything about the actual location, as my "Mijn Afbeeldingen" points to a completely different harddrive. More on Wikipedia[^].

                Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                Richard DeemingR 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • J JR212

                  indeed. This is not working for us:( this is a working pc and all data folders are on a nas server. thanks for the responses anyway. maybee I can find it in the registry? but where? Jan

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  Alternatively, you could ask the user for the location.

                  Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • L Lost User

                    The names are localized. I got a folder "My Pictures", one called "Pictures" and one "Mijn Afbeeldingen". To make things worse, this does not say anything about the actual location, as my "Mijn Afbeeldingen" points to a completely different harddrive. More on Wikipedia[^].

                    Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                    Richard DeemingR Offline
                    Richard DeemingR Offline
                    Richard Deeming
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    I'd expect the names of the folders to be localized. But what about the names of the values in the "User Shell Folders" registry key?


                    "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

                    "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined" - Homer

                    L 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Richard DeemingR Richard Deeming

                      I'd expect the names of the folders to be localized. But what about the names of the values in the "User Shell Folders" registry key?


                      "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

                      L Offline
                      L Offline
                      Lost User
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      Richard Deeming wrote:

                      I'd expect the names of the folders to be localized

                      Yup.

                      Richard Deeming wrote:

                      But what about the names of the values in the "User Shell Folders" registry key?

                      Yes, my apologies for not thinking. English, both on a Dutch and a German machine. Called "CommonPictures" on this machine, pointing to the correct physical path. Keys are usually not translated, because that would defeat the purpose of having one. ..so, remotely reading the registry as an admin, just to find a path? Still sounds like a bad idea :)

                      Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                      D 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Richard DeemingR Richard Deeming

                        I don't think the names would be localized, but I don't have a non-English version of Windows to check. I've just added a link to a blog post from Raymond Chen, who explains that the "Shell Folders" key exists solely to permit four programs written in 1994 to continue running on the RTM version of Windows 95. :wtf:


                        "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

                        D Offline
                        D Offline
                        Dave Kreskowiak
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        Ow! I just fell out of my chair laughing. :laugh: That's one hell of a "fix". :wtf:

                        A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

                        Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
                        Dave Kreskowiak

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • L Lost User

                          Richard Deeming wrote:

                          I'd expect the names of the folders to be localized

                          Yup.

                          Richard Deeming wrote:

                          But what about the names of the values in the "User Shell Folders" registry key?

                          Yes, my apologies for not thinking. English, both on a Dutch and a German machine. Called "CommonPictures" on this machine, pointing to the correct physical path. Keys are usually not translated, because that would defeat the purpose of having one. ..so, remotely reading the registry as an admin, just to find a path? Still sounds like a bad idea :)

                          Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                          D Offline
                          D Offline
                          Dave Kreskowiak
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Eddy Vluggen wrote:

                          nglish, both on a Dutch and a German machine. Called "CommonPictures" on this machine, pointing to the correct physical path. Keys are usually not translated, because that would defeat the purpose of having one.

                          Considering the "fix" that this key was created for, would it really surprise anyone if someone at MS did something that stupid?

                          A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

                          Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
                          Dave Kreskowiak

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • D Dave Kreskowiak

                            Ow! I just fell out of my chair laughing. :laugh: That's one hell of a "fix". :wtf:

                            A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

                            Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
                            Dave Kreskowiak

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            His blog is filled with those kind of examples. Well worth the read if you have some time to kill :)

                            Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                            D 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • L Lost User

                              His blog is filled with those kind of examples. Well worth the read if you have some time to kill :)

                              Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              Dave Kreskowiak
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              "Time"? What is this "time" you speak of? I'm in the middle of a 6 week stint of being a single parent while the wife travels for work. 24 hours in a day isn't enough. I have to give credit to those who do this full-time. It ain't easy.

                              A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

                              Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
                              Dave Kreskowiak

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Richard DeemingR Richard Deeming

                                For VBA, you'll need to use either SHGetFolderPath[^] or the newer SHGetKnownFolderPath[^]. How To Use the SHGetFolderPath Function from Visual Basic[^]

                                Option Explicit

                                Private Const S_OK = &H0
                                Private Const S_FALSE = &H1
                                Private Const E_INVALIDARG = &H80070057

                                Private Const MAX_PATH = 260
                                Private Const SHGFP_TYPE_CURRENT = 0
                                Private Const CSIDL_MYPICTURES = &H27

                                Private Declare Function SHGetFolderPath Lib "shfolder" _
                                Alias "SHGetFolderPathA" _
                                (ByVal hwndOwner As Long, ByVal nFolder As Long, _
                                ByVal hToken As Long, ByVal dwFlags As Long, _
                                ByVal pszPath As String) As Long

                                Private Function GetFolderPath(ByVal csidl As Long) As String
                                Dim path As String
                                Dim returnValue As Long

                                path = String(MAX\_PATH, 0)
                                returnValue = SHGetFolderPath(0, csidl, 0, SHGFP\_TYPE\_CURRENT, path)
                                
                                Select Case returnValue
                                    Case S\_OK
                                        GetFolderPath = Left(path, InStr(1, path, Chr(0)) - 1)
                                    
                                    Case S\_FALSE
                                        ' The CSIDL in nFolder is valid, but the folder does not exist.
                                        ' Use CSIDL\_FLAG\_CREATE to have it created automatically
                                        GetFolderPath = vbNullString
                                    
                                    Case E\_INVALIDARG
                                        ' nFolder is invalid
                                        Err.Raise 5, "csidl", "Invalid folder"
                                End Select
                                

                                End Function

                                Public Function GetPicturesFolderPath() As String
                                GetPicturesFolderPath = GetFolderPath(CSIDL_MYPICTURES)
                                End Function

                                For script running locally, you could read the folder path from the registry (HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders). However, there is a warning in that key telling you not to do that! :) Since you can't call Windows functions directly from script, you'd need to create a COM object to call the Windows API, and invoke that object from your script. For script running in the browser, there is no way to

                                J Offline
                                J Offline
                                JR212
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                i'll give this a try thanks to all btw I already found that reg key:) Jan

                                J 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • J JR212

                                  i'll give this a try thanks to all btw I already found that reg key:) Jan

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  JR212
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  I've got this mail

                                  Your message 'Re: Finding the path to the pictures' has been marked as potentially being spam and is currently in the moderation queue pending approval.

                                  Why????

                                  D 1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • J JR212

                                    I've got this mail

                                    Your message 'Re: Finding the path to the pictures' has been marked as potentially being spam and is currently in the moderation queue pending approval.

                                    Why????

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    Dave Kreskowiak
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    Because the site spam filters don't trust you nor your message. Yes, it does come up with a bunch of false positives. No, there's nothing you can do about it.

                                    A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

                                    Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
                                    Dave Kreskowiak

                                    J 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • D Dave Kreskowiak

                                      Because the site spam filters don't trust you nor your message. Yes, it does come up with a bunch of false positives. No, there's nothing you can do about it.

                                      A guide to posting questions on CodeProject

                                      Click this: Asking questions is a skill. Seriously, do it.
                                      Dave Kreskowiak

                                      J Offline
                                      J Offline
                                      JR212
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #19

                                      thx Dave

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