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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    2

    Shell extention activation on application's startup

    Hello, beatiful world!

    I am exploring Shell extension (and COM Object, in gereral) on Windows XP. And I've seen, that some applications, like Dropbox, are somehow "activates" shell extensions after application's launch. I was wondering how it may be done.

    Here is some advanced information I've been able to get regarding Dropbox:
    There are two interfaces (IContextMenu and IShellIconOverlayIdentifier) that, according to registry (and tool ShellExView), are implemented by in-process server DropboxExt.14.dll. Howerer, Dropbox's overlay icons and context menu items appears only if application itself (Dropbox.exe) is running. May be there is a way to somehow "bridge" implementation from *.dll to *.exe when the latter is running?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Voronezh, Russia
    Posts
    6,620

    Re: Shell extention activation on application's startup

    Application may (un)register shell extension on the fly. Use registry monitor to have a proof on that.
    Best regards,
    Igor

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    2

    Re: Shell extention activation on application's startup

    Thanks, Игорь!

    That was really quick answer! Here as the Regmon's results that were taken at Dropbox's startup: http://i56.tinypic.com/312z7kp.png

    Unfortunately I don't see any values that would look like Dropbox extension's CLSID {FB314ED9-A251-47B7-93E1-CDD82E34AF8B}.

    When Dropbox is closing there is no writes into registry at all.

    Maybe I've missed something, or there is another way?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Voronezh, Russia
    Posts
    6,620

    Re: Shell extention activation on application's startup

    Then the extension just does not add menu item while main exe is off.
    Best regards,
    Igor

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