ShellBrowser Delphi Components
Emulate Windows Explorer Features
ShellBrowser Delphi Components imitate functions known from the Windows Explorer. This includes context menus, left and right pane of Explorer windows, thumbnails, virtual folders and shell extensions. Use the ShellBrowser Delphi Components and get easy access to the Windows Shell functionality!
ShellBrowser Delphi Components are compatible with all current versions of Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and RAD Studio. .
Easy to Use
Just drop the components on your form and configure via the RAD Studio IDE.
Versatile
ShellBrowser contains the controls you need for any use case, so you can concentrate on your actual work.
Highly Configurable
Control components' look and behavior according to your scenario! Most components fully support Delphi Visual Styles.
ShellBrowser Delphi Components Features
Main Features at a Glance
Enhance Your Delphi Application with Drop-in Shell Functionality
Look-and-Feel of the Windows Explorer
How-To Guides
100% Delphi Code - Transparent Costs
ShellBrowser Delphi Components
Native VCL Explorer Shell Controls for Delphi
All Included Components
The ShellBrowser Delphi Components provide an easy way to integrate Windows File Explorer related components and functionality in your application. It consists of a comprehensive set of VCL controls for use in Delphi and C++Builder. You can simply drop the visual components on your form and configure them via the RAD Studio IDE. While per default the components closely resemble Windows File Explorer, they are highly customizable regarding visuals and functionality. Components are royalty free and involve no runtime fees! A free version is available.
Controls
TJamShellTree
Display the shell namespace of Windows in a tree looking and behaving like the left pane of the Windows Explorer with the Delphi component TJamShellTree.
TJamShellList
Display the contents of a folder in a list looking and behaving like the right pane of the Windows Explorer and customize it according to your needs using the TJamShellList component.
TJamExplorerBrowser
Use TJamExplorerBrowser to add an entire Windows Explorer to your application.
TJamShellCombo
TJamShellCombo is a configurable Windows Explorer style combo box for shell objects.
TJamShellBreadCrumbBar
TJamShellBreadCrumbBar integrates the breadcrumb navigation introduced with Windows Vista Explorer. It presents the folder and subfolder structures and enables users to easily switch between different folders.
TJamShellHistoryPane
TJamShellHistoryPane adds a history pane included in the Windows Explorer’s addressbar. It can be included in TJamShellBreadcrumbBar as well as TJamExplorerBrowser or be used separately to track and navigate the history of components linked with a TJamShellLink.
TJamShellSearchEdit
Use TJamShellSearchEdit to support an on-the-fly search in a linked TJamShellList or TJamExplorerBrowser. It is included as optional pane in TJamShellBreadCrumbBar and TJamExplorerBrowser.
TJamShellFilePreview
With the TJamShellFilePreview component users can see the content of files without opening them. It uses the same previews as Windows Explorer.
TJamThumbnailImage
Use the TJamThumbnailImage component to display a thumbnail image of a file or folder using the same API calls as the Windows Explorer.
TJamFileList
The TJamFileList component can be used to aggregate files and folders from different directories in one single list.
TJamDriveList
With the help of the TJamDriveList component you can create a list of all local and network drives of the system as well as display capacity and free disk space of each drive.
TJamPathLabel
The TJamPathLabel component displays paths in a label ensuring the full file name is readable.
TJamPathEdit
Utilize the TJamPathEdit component to enable users of your application to enter a path or to browse for it in a dialog.
TJamFolderCombo
With the TJamFolderCombo component you can easily display folders and drives in a combo box - associated icons included.
TJamOpenSaveComboBox
The TJamOpenSaveComboBox has been designed specifically for the user to enter or select a file name in custom file dialogs. A list of the most recently used files is available in the drop-down menu. File path and filter can be easily synchronized with other ShellBrowser components using a TJamShellLink.
TJamFilterCombo
As the name suggests, the TJamFilterCombo can be configured with a list of filters. Connected to other ShellBrowser components via a TJamShellLink, a filter will be automatically applied in components capable of filtering, such as the TJamOpenSaveComboBox, ExplorerBrowser, TJamShellList or TJamShellTree. The filter can be selected from a list of predefined filters or will be supplied on-the-fly.
Dialogs
TJamBrowseForFolder
The TJamBrowseForFolder component displays a Windows dialog box for selecting and opening folders.
TJamNetConnectionDialog
Enable users to easily connect a net drive with the TJamNetConnectionDialog component.
TJamNetDisconnectDialog
Present a list of all connected net drives and let users of your application easily disconnect them with the TJamNetDisconnectDialog component.
TJamFileOperation
The TJamFileOperation component is used to perform file operations like copy, move, rename, or delete.
Non-visual Components
TJamDragFiles and TJamDropFiles
Link TJamDropFiles or TJamDragFiles Delphi component to other controls to support and manage drag and drop operations of file system objects.
TShellBrowser
TShellBrowser is a non-visual component allowing you to browse the shell namespace of Windows, to query information about shell objects and to perform context menu operations.
TJamShellChangeNotifier
The TJamShellChangeNotifier component informs about changes in the file system and the shell (such as copy, move, or delete).
TJamSystemImageList
Gain access to the Windows system image list with the TJamSystemImageList component and display shell-related information.
TJamShellLink
Keeping the displayed folder or selected elements of the visual ShellBrowser components in sync is very easy with the TJamShellLink component.
ShellBrowser Delphi Components Compatibility
Seamless Compatibility for Optimal Performance
ShellBrowser Delphi Components are compatible with all current versions of Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and IDEs (Integrated Development Environment).
Supported Integrated Development Environment (IDEs)
Version 11 and Higher
Version 10.x
All Versions
Supported Operating Systems
(32-bit and 64-bit)
ShellBrowser Delphi Components Sample Projects
Let Us Inspire You
Selected Examples of Usage
Getting Started: Connecting Components
Here's a first example on how to use the ShellBrowser components. We placed a JamShellTree on the left and a JamShellList on the right side. Both components' property 'Shelllink' is set to the same instance of a JamShellLink, a synchronizing component. The form was enhanced with a check for box enabling or disabling the 'Checkboxes' property of the components as well as forward/backward buttons.
Getting Started: JamShellCombo
A JamShellCombo mimics the dropdown menu of the Windows Explorer. Users can type into the combo box and use the autocomplete feature. A JamShellLink mediates events between different components. This time we placed a JamThumbnailImage component on the right side to display all documents known to the Windows operating system as a preview. The 'SpecialFolder' property of the JamShellList has been set to 'MyPictures', one of the available default locations.
Getting Started: JamShellChangeNotifier
The JamShellChangeNotifier component notifies if changes occur on the filesystem. Add folders from the JamShellList to the JamFileList by dragging them with the mouse. The collection of items specifies where the JamShellChangeNotifier should listen for file or folder events. If the list is empty, the component notifies changes of the whole file system. On the left you can choose on what events the component should create a change event. In our example a textbox contains relevant information. It is bound to the 'Change' event of the component.
Getting Started: JamDriveList
The JamDriveList component lists the configured drive letters and the disk space available on then.
ExplorerBrowser
The ExplorerBrowser sample project shows you how to use the TJamExplorerBrowser component. The TJamExplorerBrowser control emulates an entire Windows Explorer. See how easily you can configure columns and display panes, apply filters, or set group and sorting options.
JAMExplorer
JAMExplorer is a project showing you how to build an Explorer-like application using the visual shell controls of the ShellBrowser component suite. On the left pane, you see the Windows TreeView, on the right pane the contents of the current folder are displayed. The toolbar contains some of the usual Explorer buttons like delete, properties, and small/large icons. When a user right-clicks on an item, the context menu is displayed. All items can be renamed; Drag&Drop operations are supported. The only extra code written for this sample project were the handlers for the SpeedButtons in the toolbar of the window (usually one line for each button).
JAMSearch
JAMSearch is a project simulating the Windows file search. The user can search for file types as well as certain file dates or file sizes and decide whether subfolders should be included in the search or not. Clicking "Browse" to select the searched folder or drive opens an additional selection window.
Easy
Easy is an introductory project, which illustrates some frequently needed functions using the TShellBrowser class, e.g. how to display the context menu or the properties pages for a single object, or how to query the thumbnail for an element using the invisible component TShellBrowser.
Additionally it illustrates how to call the BrowseForFolder dialog of Windows 9x/NT using the TShellBrowser component.
JAMDragDrop
JAMDragDrop is a project that shows the handling of the TJamDropFiles and TJamDragFiles components and the possibilities the user has. It logs drag operations received or started by the connected controls.
Hear From Our Customers and Read Media Reviews
We are 100% committed to offering our customers and partners worldwide the best possible solutions and service. But don't just take our word for it! Read first-hand opinions of --ShellBrowser Delphi users.
“Without ShellBrowser Delphi Components, I would (most probably) not have begun working on my project. Implementing all the complicated functions ShellBrowser covers would simply have taken too much time. Many thanks for the great support. My product would not have been released without the changes to ShellBrowser you implemented and the quick bugfixes! Everything works fast, stable, and just as I designed it.”
--Evgeni Shmakov, CEO Chameleon Explorer
“ShellBrowser Delphi Components are the best VCL Shell tools I have seen including Plasmatech which I used for years but which is no longer being updated. Keep up the good work.”
--Bill Miller
“I just wanted to tell you that I am very pleased with the latest version (V7.3) of ShellBrowser for Delphi, it's brilliant. Inconsistencies that I had experienced with older versions under Windows 7 have gone, without me having to change my code. Keep up the excellent work.”
--Mick Florey
“I have done a quite extensive shootout between Shellshock, GXExplorer, Shell control Pack and ShellBrowser.
GXExplorer and Shellshock still have major bugs, and become very unstable after about 3 seconds of usage.
Shell Control pack (Plasmatech) is a bit limited in the feature set. Nice though...Major problem is that their support doesn't bother to get back to you, even if you are a potential customer. (4 Stars)
ShellBrowser (Jam Software) seems to do everything one can ask for...has all the feature both ShellShock and GXExplorer have. Support is excellent, although not even a registered customer. (5 Stars)”
--Stiaan Pretorius
“I have recently purchased your Shellbrowser Delphi Components and love them, I was using [other commercial shell components] but yours are streaks ahead, very reasonably priced and excellent documentation too.”
--Fermin Fernandez
Frequently Asked Questions
We collected the most frequently asked questions by our customers and our experts gave the profound answers. Check if your question on our ShellBrowser Delphi Components has already been answered.
Do we have to pay additional royalty fees for EXE files that we distribute and that use the ShellBrowser Components?
No. The ShellBrowser components are royalty free. That means after you purchased them, you may distribute compiled projects without additional costs or fees.
How do I register The ShellBrowser components manually in RAD Studio?
When using our installer: In RAD Studio choose: Components > Install Packages > Add... > "%BDSCOMMONDIR%\BPL\JamShellBrowserDesign.bpl"
When using the ZIP file download (source code customers only): extract the ZIP file, open "Packages\RAD Studio XE*\JamShellBrowserDesign.dproj", right click on "JamShellBrowserDesign.bpl" in the Project Manager and choose "Install".
I get the error message "Fatal Error: File not Found: ShellBrowser.dcu" during compilation. What is the problem?
The path of ShellBrowser is missing in the library path of Delphi. You may need to add it manually under Tools / Environment Options / Library / Library Path.
What is the easiest way to copy a file to the clipboard?
Place a TShellBrowser component on the form, and use code like the one in the example for ShellBrowser.InvokeContextMenuCommand.
How can I show XYZ as a thumbnail?
The thumbnails are generated through the same Windows API function that the Windows Explorer uses, and so the ShellBrowser components will show similar thumbnails like the Windows Explorer. To provide thumbnails for a certain file format that Windows does not support out of the box, it is best to register a thumbnail provider in the system. Another option is to use the OnThumbnailUpdated event of the TJamShellList control, which allows you to change the generated thumbnail. TShellBrowser.SetThumbnailProvider() allows you to set one application-wide thumbnail provider that is called if the system does not supply one.
What is New in ShellBrowser Delphi Components?
Version 11.1
New Features and Improvements
Bugfixes
Breaking changes and deprecated warnings:
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