Using SHFileOperation within a Windows service

Question

It\'s possible, but is it appropriate to use SHFileOperation within a Windows service? All those SHxxx API functions in shell32.dll seem to have been written with user level pr

Answer 1

I would say, not it's not appropriate or advisable. Most of the shell32 APIs were written with a basic understanding that they would be used in interactive processes. I don't think there is any way you can guarantee that SHFileOperation will never display a UI component. In fact, if you look at IFileOperation (which is the new Vista interface that replaces SHFileOperation), it clearly states:

Exposes methods to copy, move, rename, create, and delete Shell items as well as methods to provide progress and error dialogs. This interface replaces the SHFileOperation function.