Windows Shell

This section contains information about the Microsoft Windows Shell.

The Windows user interface (UI) provides users with access to a wide variety of objects necessary for running applications and managing the operating system. The most numerous and familiar of these objects are the folders and files that reside on computer disk drives. There are also a number of virtual objects that allow the user to perform tasks such as sending files to remote printers or accessing the Recycle Bin. The Shell organizes these objects into a hierarchical namespace and provides users and applications with a consistent and efficient way to access and manage objects.

This documentation is broken into three major sections:

  • The Shell Developer's Guide provides conceptual material about how the Shell works and how to use the Shell's API in your application.
  • The Shell Reference section documents programming elements that make up the various Shell APIs.
  • Shell SDK Samples provides links to Shell samples. Most samples can be downloaded from MSDN Code Gallery. All samples are included in the Windows SDK.

The following table provides an outline of the Shell Reference section. Unless otherwise noted, all programming elements are documented in unmanaged C++.

SectionDescription
Shell ClassesThis section describes select Windows Shell classes.
Shell InterfacesThis section describes the Windows Shell Component Object Model (COM) interfaces.
Shell FunctionsThis section describes the Windows Shell functions.
Shell Callback FunctionsThis section describes the Windows Shell callback functions templates.
Shell Constants, Enumerations, and FlagsThis section describes the Windows Shell constants, enumerations, and flags used in the Shell APIs.
Shell Lightweight Utility FunctionsThis section describes the Windows Shell lightweight utility functions provided in Shlwapi.dll.
Shell MacrosThis section describes the Windows Shell utility macros.
Shell Messages and NotificationsThis section describes the messages and notifications sent by elements of the Windows Shell.
Shell Objects for Scripting and Microsoft Visual BasicThis section describes the Windows objects implemented by the Shell for use in scripting and Microsoft Visual Basic.
Shell Objects for C++This section describes the C++ Windows objects implemented by the Shell.
Shell PropertiesThis section describes the individual properties that can be set on files and folders in the Windows Shell.
Shell SchemasThis section describes library, property, and transfer manifest schemas used by the Windows Shell.
Shell StructuresThis section describes the Windows Shell structures used in the Shell APIs.
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