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Q72385: Retrieving the Filename of an Application or DLL

Article: Q72385
Product(s): Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb16bitonly
Last Modified: 06-NOV-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) versions 3.0, 3.1 
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SUMMARY
=======

In the Microsoft Windows environment, the GetModuleFileName function provides
the filename of the executable file that corresponds to a given module instance
handle or data instance handle.

MORE INFORMATION
================

GetModuleFileName retrieves the full path of an application or a dynamic-link
library (DLL). Specify the instance handle or module handle of the executable
hModule parameter. The syntax of this function is:

     int GetModuleFileName(HANDLE hModule, LPSTR lpFilename, int nSize);

The hModule parameter identifies the module or instance handle, lpFilename points
to the buffer to receive the file name, and nSize specifies the buffer size.

When Windows launches an application, its instance handle is a parameter to
WinMain. For a DLL, the instance handle is a parameter to LibMain. The instance
handle is also available through the GetWindow function, as follows:

     // hWnd is a handle to any one of the target
     // executable file's windows or controls.
     hAppInstance = GetWindowWord(hWnd, GWW_HINSTANCE);

     nPathLength = GetModuleFileName(hAppInstance,
                      (LPSTR)szPath, PATH_LENGTH);

The GetModuleHandle function provides the module handle for a specified module.
For example, if Microsoft Excel is loaded, the full path to the Excel executable
file is available through the following code:

     // "EXCEL" can be used instead of "EXCEL.EXE".
     hModule = GetModuleHandle("EXCEL");

     nPathLength = GetModuleFileName(hModule,
                      (LPSTR)szPath, PATH_LENGTH);

Given a handle to a window or control in an application, the GCW_HMODULE
parameter to the GetClassWord function provides the application's module handle.

Additional query words: no32bit 3.00 3.10

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Keywords          : kb16bitonly 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK300 kbWinSDK310
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.1

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