Retrieving the Filename of an Application or DLL

ID: Q72385

The information in this article applies to:

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

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

Keywords : kb16bitonly
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :