CreateProcess and ShellExecute differences

Question

What are the main differences between the two? I'm willing to run only another EXE from my (C++) application. Are there any differences when inheriting environments, security features etc?

Answer 1

The main difference between CreateProcess and ShellExecute is the following: CreateProcess is more oriented on low level and ShellExec on the high user lever which see the user in explorer.

For example using of CreateProcess one can use command line which length is more as MAX_PATH. It has 32,768 characters restriction. You can also use CreateProcess to start program (if you have enough permissions) on another windows desktop like on the Logon Screen.

Another example. You can use ShellExecute to start Control Panel or open any program which existed on the computer for editing of JPG filed for example. So you works with ShellExecute close to the corresponding actions in the Windows Explorer.

Answer 2

The main difference is in flexibility. ShellExecute is easier to use, but doesn't have a lot of flexibility. CreateProcess is a pain to use, but lets you do anything.

Just for example, with CreateProcess, you can specify handles (pipes or files) to use for the standard input/output/error streams in the child. ShellExecute doesn't give you want way to do that.

It's probably also worth noting that although ShellExecute can be used to start an executable directly, its primary intent is to "execute" document files -- for example, tell it to "execute" a "whatever.html", and it starts up your default web browser and loads the specified HTML file into it. You can do that using CreateProcess as well, but to do it, you (normally) start by calling FindExecutable to find the program associated with the data file in question, then execute that passing your data file as a parameter.