Retrieving the Filename of an Application or DLL

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows versions 3.1 and 3.0

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);

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);

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

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