How to extract an assembly from the GAC?

Question

There is a package I have to deal with which installs assemblies straight into the GAC (e.g. somewhere deep in %windows%/assembly).

How do I exorcise the actual as

Answer 1

Think I figured out a way to look inside the GAC without modifying the registry or using the command line, powershell, or any other programs:

Create a new shortcut (to anywhere). Then modify the shortcut to have the target be:

%windir%\assembly\GAC_MSIL\System

Opening this shortcut takes you to the System folder inside the GAC (which everyone should have) and has the wonderful side effect of letting you switch to a higher directory and then browsing into any other folder you want (and see the dll files, etc)

I tested this on windows 7 and windows server 2012.

Note: It will not let you use that target when creating the shortcut but it will let you edit it.

Enjoy!