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#106: How can I read a path of system folder?

Just now in delphi-programming I posted a code which allows to recieve a path to some system folder (StartUp, Recent Files etc). As you know, the path can be different on other computers (depends from operationg system, localization, user profile and user settings).

This code allows to read a current value:

uses ShlObj, ActiveX;

function GetSystemPath(Folder: Integer): string;
var
  PIDL: PItemIDList;
  Path: LPSTR;
  AMalloc: IMalloc;
begin
  Path := StrAlloc(MAX_PATH);
  SHGetSpecialFolderLocation(Application.Handle, Folder, PIDL);
  if SHGetPathFromIDList(PIDL, Path) then
    Result := Path;
  SHGetMalloc(AMalloc);
  AMalloc.Free(PIDL);
  StrDispose(Path);
end;

Now you can call this function with different parameters. For example:
CSIDL_DESKTOP for WINDOWS\Desktop
CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORY for WINDOWS\Desktop
CSIDL_FONTS for WINDOWS\FONTS
CSIDL_NETHOOD for WINDOWS\NetHood
CSIDL_PERSONAL for X:\My Documents
CSIDL_PROGRAMS for WINDOWS\StartMenu\Programs
CSIDL_RECENT for WINDOWS\Recent
CSIDL_SENDTO for WINDOWS\SendTo
CSIDL_STARTMENU for WINDOWS\Start Menu
CSIDL_STARTUP for WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
CSIDL_TEMPLATES for WINDOWS\ShellNew

Published: December 5, 2000

See also

	Paradox ActiveX
	SMExport suite
	DBISAM Viewer
	ExcelFile Viewer
	DBISAM Password Recovery
	ABA Spreadsheet Convert
	Clarion Viewer
	SMMsg suite
	Word Web-stream
	Viewer for TNEF-files (winmail.dat)

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