Project Description
Starting with .NET 4.0 shell extensions can now be written in managed code.
The Managed Mini Shell Extension Framework makes it easier to develop Windows shell (explorer) extensions in managed code. It is developed in C# and supports any .NET language.


Background info
At the moment not much official info is available on how to create shell extensions with .NET 4.0. The most recent info about this topic can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee819091.aspx

Layers
The projects includes the following 'layers':

• ComType Layer. Managed definition of the COM interfaces used by Shell to interact with shell extensions. The interface definitions are hand tuned for shell extensions development.
• Base Layer. Set of base classes that can be used as starting point for shell extensions.
• Sample Layer. Set of samples, demonstrating typical shell extensions.
• Start Layer: Skeleton code that can be used as start for a new shell extension.

Supported Shell Extensions

• Info Tip (IQueryInfo)
• Shell PropertySheet Extension (IShellPropSheetExt) {planned}
• Context Menu Extension (IContextMenu, IContextMenu2, IContextMenu3)
• Folder Copy Hook Extension (ICopyHook)
• Extract Image Extension (IExtractImage, IExtractImage2){planned}
• Column Provider (IColumnProvider), XP only, Vista and up doesn't use column providers.{planned}
• Shell Folder (IShellView, IShellFolder){planned}

Supported Operating Systems

• Windows 8 Developer Preview
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista (on demand)
• Windows XP (on demand)

Supported Compilers

• Visual Studio 2010

Note: Source Code snapshots are only validated on Windows 7.
Note2: (on demand) means that OS is supported, but not tested. Reported issues will be resolved on demand.