How To Restart the Windows Shell Programmatically

SUMMARY

Creating and updating shell extensions in Windows requires that the shell be restarted. This may be accomplished by having the user manually perform this task; however, in many cases, you may find it is better to do it programmatically.

   HWND hwndShell = FindWindow("Progman", NULL);
   PostMessage(hwndShell, WM_QUIT, 0, 0L);
   WinExec("Explorer.exe",SW_SHOW);