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Finding the path to the pictures

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Visual Basic
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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
    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

      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
        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

          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
                          0
                          • 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
                            0
                            • 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

                                1 Reply Last reply
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