Launching an application (.EXE) from C#?

Question

How can I launch an application using C#?

Requirements: Must work on Windows XP and Windows Vista.

I have seen a sample from DinnerNow.net sampler that only works in Windows Vista.

Answer 1

Here's a snippet of helpful code:

using System.Diagnostics;

// Prepare the process to run
ProcessStartInfo start = new ProcessStartInfo();
// Enter in the command line arguments, everything you would enter after the executable name itself
start.Arguments = arguments; 
// Enter the executable to run, including the complete path
start.FileName = ExeName;
// Do you want to show a console window?
start.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
start.CreateNoWindow = true;
int exitCode;


// Run the external process & wait for it to finish
using (Process proc = Process.Start(start))
{
     proc.WaitForExit();

     // Retrieve the app's exit code
     exitCode = proc.ExitCode;
}

There is much more you can do with these objects, you should read the documentation: ProcessStartInfo, Process.

Answer 2

Use System.Diagnostics.Process.Start() method.

Check out this article on how to use it.

Process.Start("notepad", "readme.txt");

string winpath = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("windir");
string path = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(
              System.Windows.Forms.Application.ExecutablePath);

Process.Start(winpath + @"\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\Installutil.exe",
path + "\\MyService.exe");

Answer 3

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("PathToExe.exe");

Answer 4

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start( @"C:\Windows\System32\Notepad.exe" );

Answer 5

If you have problems using System.Diagnostics like I had, use the following simple code that will work without it:

using System.Diagnostics;

Process notePad = new Process();
notePad.StartInfo.FileName   = "notepad.exe";
notePad.StartInfo.Arguments = "mytextfile.txt";
notePad.Start();

Answer 6

Additionally you will want to use the Environment Variables for your paths if at all possible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_variable#Default_Values_on_Microsoft_Windows

E.G.

• %WINDIR% = Windows Directory
• %APPDATA% = Application Data - Varies alot between Vista and XP.

There are many more check out the link for a longer list.

Answer 7

Just put your file.exe in the \bin\Debug folder and use:

Process.Start("File.exe");

Answer 8

Use Process.Start to start a process.

using System.Diagnostics;
class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
    //
    // your code
    //
    Process.Start("C:\\process.exe");
    }
} 

Answer 9

Try this:

Process.Start("Location Of File.exe");

(Make sure you use the System.Diagnostics library)