Shell Execute API

The Shell API is essentially an extension of the Windows shell that provides most of the same functionality that launches applications in Windows Explorer through a programmatic interface. This includes executable files such as .exe, .bat, .vbs, and any file on the local system or network with a registered extension (.doc, .pdf, .txt, etc.), Web URLs, FTP URLs, e-mail clients using the mailto: directive, and any other 'monikers' associated with Windows.