How to integrate windows explorer into your application?

Question

Delphi

Good afternoon!
I am writing an application that extends the capabilities of the standard windows explorer, and there was a problem with the implementation of the functionality that is already in the standard explorer.
The main problem is the correct output of files and folders with support for the whole complex of little things that make working in it more convenient. Writing everything yourself from scratch is a very long time.
You can limit yourself to creating an extension for the standard explorer, but you really don’t want to. Firstly, because I have no experience in creating extensions and I don’t know how to approach this issue, and secondly, because my application greatly changes the very mechanism of the explorer and it’s not right to fit all the functionality on the extension panel.
The question itself:
1. Is it possible, and if so, how, to embed only the file explorer panel in your program? But so that it supports all the functions of the standard one (the ability to switch views, context menus, etc.).
2. If the 1st point is not possible - tell me where to dig to create an explorer extension. And is it possible to influence not only the extension panel, but also other parameters (menu, window decoration, footer, etc.)
Now I am writing in Delphi XE5, but this is not important.
Many thanks in advance for all the replies!
Daniel.

Answer 1

Can. You need to look at COM interfaces. I didn’t find a clear example right off the bat, but here is an approximate construction of a Shell search www.delphi-central.com/tutorials/Shell_Search.aspx .
As soon as you understand how to use interfaces, COM and ActiveX, I advise you to immediately look at msdn.com - all interfaces should be listed there.

Answer 2

Insert a WebBrowser (IE), or whatever it is in Delphi, and load the folder URL into it. If you want a complete explorer (with an interface), then just look at MSDN. And that, not the fact that is described. WebBrowser will display only a list of files, the context menus for files and empty space will be, switching between views is carried out through the KM of empty space.