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Files whose extensions are hidden by Windows

I hav an app which uses filexists function to find and open .txt & .dic files if they are found.

If Windows has the registry set to HideFileExt, the files cannot be found, and hence not opened. I can patch the registry to correct this, but I'd rather not do it this way.

Any thoughts on how to make Delphi find files whose extensions are hidden?

Am using D5 Enterprise - first version.

nigeltodd

Asked: 2002-05-21

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Delphi

1 Solution

LVL 6

Stuart_JohnsonCommented: 2002-05-21

Nigel,

Strangely enough it works for me regardless of the setting. I'm using D5 Ent as well on Windows XP Home.

Try:

var
SR: TSearchRec;
begin
if FindFirst(Filename, faANyFile, SR) = 0 then
Label1.Caption := 'Found'
else
Label1.Caption := 'Not Found';
FindClose(SR);

See if that works for you.

Stu

LVL 17

geobulCommented: 2002-05-21

Hi,

procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
begin
if FileExists('c:\test1.doc') then ShowMessage('Exists!')
else ShowMessage('Not Found!');
end;

also works fine with both settings. D5 Ent and XP|2000.

Regards, Geo

nigeltoddAuthor Commented: 2002-05-22

Fileexists seems to only work when I have set Windows to NOT HideFileExt in the registry. It seems that something in Delphi or Windows has a problem finding a file in this situation.

LVL 6

Stuart_JohnsonCommented: 2002-05-22

Nigel,

This HideFileExt you're talking about. Is this set through Explorer, Tools, Folder Options, View, Hide File Extensions for known file types? If not, where abouts is it?

Did you try the FindFirst sample I offered? Perhaps that will work for you.

Stu

nigeltoddAuthor Commented: 2002-05-22

Stu,

Have not yet tried using findfirst. The HideFileExt is set by the method you describe. I can also set it in the registry, but I then have the problem of rereading the registry by rebooting or other questionable means!

Will try findfirst tonight and see what happens.

Nigel

nigeltoddAuthor Commented: 2002-05-22

Stu,

Have just tried it on another machine, and it works fine with or withouit HideFileExt enabled, using findfirst or fileexists.

Same code, same O/S - will still try it at home tonight.

LVL 6

Stuart_JohnsonCommented: 2002-05-22

That's a really weird problem. I've never heard of that happening before. AFAIK, that setting is just a masking property for the explorer window, not for the actual operating system.

Stu

LVL 6

Stuart_JohnsonCommented: 2002-05-22

That's a really weird problem. I've never heard of that happening before. AFAIK, that setting is just a masking property for the explorer window, not for the actual operating system.

Stu

nigeltoddAuthor Commented: 2002-05-22

Will have to wait & see what happens at home tonight. As it is now 12:00pm, here in Australia, it will be 3 - 4 in the morning your time by the time I get to do it.

Talk to you soon.

LVL 6

Stuart_JohnsonCommented: 2002-05-22

Oh! Another fellow Aussie! Where are you? I'm in Hornsby.

Stu

nigeltoddAuthor Commented: 2002-05-22

melbourne - the dandenongs

LVL 6

Stuart_JohnsonCommented: 2002-05-22

Beautiful spot. I used to live in Glen Waverly before it became suburbius maximus (about 12 years ago) and used to love going up there on the weekends.

Stu

nigeltoddAuthor Commented: 2002-05-22

melbourne - the dandenongs

LVL 1

pnh73Commented: 2003-07-25

No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA.
I will leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is:

Accept answer from Stuart Johnson

Please leave any comments here within the next seven days.

PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!

Paul (pnh73)
EE Cleanup Volunteer

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Files whose extensions are hidden by Windows

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