Launching of the Metro Style Application (Windows Reader) failed (throw the ShellExecute).

Question

Hi All,

I have a problem with launching a Windows Reader from my desktop application under Windows 8. I use ShellExecute. This function should launch an application according to extension of document. Here are code below:

// ShellExecuteTest.cpp : Defines the entry point for the console application.
//

#include "stdafx.h"

namespace OpenAs
{
  static LPTSTR parameterBuffer = _T("shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL d:\\Untitled1.pdf");
  static LPTSTR fileBuffer  = _T("rundll32.exe");
}

namespace NormalIsNotWorking
{
  static LPTSTR parameterBuffer = 0;
  static LPTSTR fileBuffer      = _T("d:\\Untitled1.pdf");
}

namespace NormalRtf
{
  static LPTSTR parameterBuffer = 0;
  static LPTSTR fileBuffer      = _T("d:\\Document.rtf");
}


#define ParamMode NormalIsNotWorking //SystemSwitcher

namespace WithShellExecute
{
  static DWORD WINAPI ThreadProc(LPVOID lpParamater)
  {
	  SHELLEXECUTEINFO SHExecInfo; 

	  ZeroMemory(&SHExecInfo, sizeof(SHExecInfo));
	  SHExecInfo.cbSize       = sizeof(SHExecInfo);
	  SHExecInfo.fMask        = SEE_MASK_FLAG_DDEWAIT | SEE_MASK_DOENVSUBST;
	  SHExecInfo.nShow        = SW_SHOWNORMAL;

	  SHExecInfo.lpFile       = ParamMode::fileBuffer;
    SHExecInfo.lpParameters = ParamMode::parameterBuffer;
		
    if (FAILED( CoInitializeEx(NULL, COINIT_MULTITHREADED) ))
    {
      assert(0);
    }
		
    if(FALSE == ShellExecuteEx(&SHExecInfo) || 32 > (int)SHExecInfo.hInstApp) 
	  { 
		  assert(FALSE);
	  }
		
	  return 0;
  }
}

#define RunMode WithShellExecute

int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{        
  DWORD lpThreadId;
  HANDLE threadHandle = ::CreateThread(NULL, 0, RunMode::ThreadProc, 0, 0, &lpThreadId);

  WaitForSingleObject(threadHandle, INFINITE);

	return 0;
}

The Windows Reader launching but it is wrote a message: "Error while loading document". Is anybody know the right solution to solve this problem?

Thank you,

Egor.

Answer 1

For Windows Shell APIs problem, please use this forum.

Best wishes,

---

Mike Zhang[MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 2

One more question: How can I attach to Metro Style Application to view a DDE(or other) messages? When I try to use Spy++ I have not success cause it does not see any messages from Windows Reader.

Answer 3

I investigate this problem. The execute troubles is at Windows Reader only. All other metro style application launched normally.

Answer 4

For simple bug reproducing you can use a far: 
1. Launch far. 
2. Enter a command: start <file_path> 
3. Press Enter. 
At result, you will see the same Windows Reader error. 

Answer 5

I think maybe you can use this forum, it is for the issue related to Win8 APP form Microsoft: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-winapps

I think you can use this "answers" forum to clear about the boot/load behavior of the Windows Reader, then it would give you some help to let it can run in command line and the Shell APIs.

Best wishes,

 

---

Mike Zhang[MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 6

I met the same problem with both Windows 8 Customer Preview and Release Preview.

The solution which I found is waiting for a while after ShellExecuteEx;

ShellExecuteEx(&SHExecInfo);
Sleep(10000);

Of course, it is not so beautiful... When I used WaitForInputIdle(hProcess), it did not work well (maybe because Metro App does not have a window message loop), and when I used WaitForSingleObject(hProcess), Reader App hung up.

Answer 7

Well I have the same problem and if you burn a DVD with an application which launches a PDF file with ShellExecuteEx, The Sleep(10000) command, you add doesn't change anything! I have all the time the Message "Error while loading document".