Windows RegKey - Default Browser Application Path

Question

What RegKey can you get the default browser application\'s path from?

Best way to get to it from C#/.NET?

Answer 1

Based on your answers I wrote this sample code that should do what you want (not tested)

public static string GetDefaultBrowserPath()
    {
        string defaultBrowserPath = null;
        RegistryKey regkey;

        // Check if we are on Vista or Higher
        OperatingSystem OS = Environment.OSVersion;
        if ((OS.Platform == PlatformID.Win32NT) && (OS.Version.Major >= 6))
        {
            regkey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\shell\\Associations\\UrlAssociations\\http\\UserChoice", false);
            if (regkey != null)
            {
                defaultBrowserPath = regkey.GetValue("Progid").ToString();
            }
            else
            {
                regkey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Classes\\IE.HTTP\\shell\\open\\command", false);
                defaultBrowserPath = regkey.GetValue("").ToString();
            }
        }
        else
        {
            regkey = Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey("http\\shell\\open\\command", false);
            defaultBrowserPath = regkey.GetValue("").ToString();
        }

        return defaultBrowserPath;
    }