Can't open selected file in windows explorer from application

Niagarer

Hi,
I try to open a file in the explorer (OS independent in the end). That's what I try on windows:

    QStringList args;
    args << "/select," << QDir::toNativeSeparators("G:/test.txt");
    QProcess::startDetached("explorer", args);

This test.txt is definately there, but when I call this, it just opens the explorer, not the selected directory or file.
What did I miss?
Thanks for answers!

mrjj

Hi
are u sure the "/select," << comma is correct ?

Niagarer

@mrjj
I took that from
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3490336/how-to-reveal-in-finder-or-show-in-explorer-with-qt
and
http://lynxline.com/show-in-finder-show-in-explorer/
Yes, there it seems to work

mrjj

Ok.
Its also possible to use Desktop services and do
QDesktopServices::openUrl(QUrl("file:///home/xx/fileName.pdf"));
to open it in default app,
but you seem to want to open explorer and have it selected?
(which samples is for. not to launch the app for edit. )

update:
it works here
alt text

it will open folder select the file. as it should.
(it does not open the file but that is not expected)

Niagarer

@mrjj
Yes, I create several text files while runtime and by clicking on a button, I want to open one specific (depending on the button) selected in the explorer (not in a text editor), not in the browser

update
well I found a text file, that works (I just tried randomly):

    // this works
    args << "/select," << QDir::toNativeSeparators("C:/Program Files/Autodesk/Maya2018/bin/MTTH.txt");
    QProcess::startDetached("explorer", args);

but yet I could not find any other text file, that works. Not on the G disk, not on the C, that's the only one

mrjj

@Niagarer
so it should just open explorer and show file as selected ?

you code works for me on win 10.
It will open the drive and have the file selected.

QStringList args;
  args << "/select," << QDir::toNativeSeparators("c:/degree-angles.png");
  QProcess::startDetached("explorer", args);

Tried a few different file and all types seems to work.

Niagarer

@mrjj
Ok weird then, I also tried on win 10 ...
I can't find differences between the files I tried... only MTTH.txt works

update
Oh, ok it seems to be a general problem with my system... I also can't open it from cmd like you tried... it opens my dcuments then... So it seems not to be a qt problem

mrjj

@Niagarer
All files work here. Even folders.
I also tried other drives and so i agree must be something locally
in your system. ( no idea what though)

Niagarer

@mrjj
Ok, yes I even can't open the MTTH.txt file from cmd, it just opens my documents folder every time...
I have no idea... I hope I can fix this
Thanks for your help!

I can open the files with a notepad, but not with the explorer. So my explorer seems to be sick.
I will update anyways when I have a solution

mrjj

Hi
For test, try disable any extra virus scanner you have installed.

Niagarer

@mrjj
Good point,
unfortunately doesn't help :/

mrjj

@Niagarer
Would have been too easy. ;)

did you try with quotes ?
explorer.exe /select,"e:\test.txt"
(in cmd)

Niagarer

@mrjj
Yup, unfortunately also no solution... but then it does not open my documents folder, it just open the explorer
Slowly but surely it start to get funny

update
When I try to select, it just opens the explorer, if not, it opens the documents folder

mrjj

well it does open docs here too if no /select
if i do
.. /select,"file that dont exists"
it opens "This PC"

Niagarer

@mrjj
yes, the weird thing is, that the explorer defiantely knows the file. I even can search in the explorer search line and it finds the file.
But as you wrote, from cmd it can't find the file...
I can navigate to the right folder on the G drive, it still can't find the file

mrjj

@Niagarer
But its only /select that is broken correct?
if you do other commands it does work?
like
type e:\test.txt

Niagarer

@mrjj
No, I don't think so.
All the following commands don't work:

// here it says, it could find that file... it is definately there
notepad G:/test.txt

explorer G:/

explorer /select G:/test.txt

mrjj

@Niagarer
and g:\ is just another hard drive or partition ?
Like c:\ ?

But it dont work at c:\ either so must be something broken in your windows.

mrjj

Oh
in cmd
you must use \ that slash. not / .

Qt makes it possible to use / but windows dont know it natively.

Niagarer

@mrjj
Ok, I got it. Yes G is just another drive and it didn't work on any drive because:
I also noticed this \ and / thing and this was one of my mistakes.
Another thing, why cmd could not find one of my test.txt files I tried to open was that I named it test.txt (so the actual file name was test.txt.txt as my browser told me <facepalm x3>).
And one last thing, that is no less stupid is, that I sent the path from another object and this object did not send the .txt ending. Baad day :D
And I copied the path of some text files from the explorer and tried these, but the \ made it not working.
I thought that

QDir::toNativeSeperators(pathIn);

would fix \ to / (or \ on windows), but that seems to be wrong. It just takes normal paths with / and translates it to \ on windows http://doc.qt.io/qt-4.8/qdir.html#toNativeSeparators

Thank you very much for you help!