//**************************************
    //     
    // Name: Easy ShellExecute replacement w
    //     ithout API calls
    // Description:With only a few lines of 
    //     code you will be able to open any docume
    //     nt with the associated executable file o
    //     r, if no association present, you will b
    //     e prompted to open the file with the pro
    //     gram you choose. This can also be used t
    //     o execute an executable file. No API cal
    //     ls used!
    // By: John Willemse
    //
    // Inputs:Simply pass the full path to t
    //     he file in a string to function.
    //
    // Returns:Returns true if succeeded, fa
    //     lse in case of an error.
    //
    // Assumes:To use this function, simply 
    //     put the code in a class and call it, e.g
    //     .:
    Dim retVal As Boolean
    retVal = ExecuteFile("c:\temp\myword.doc")
    If retVal = False then
    MsgBox("Something went wrong!")
    Else
    MsgBox("Succeeded!")
    End If
    That's all! Check the additional properties of a Process() for more options, like waiting for the process to finish, etc.
    //
    //This code is copyrighted and has    // limited warranties.Please see http://
    //     www.Planet-Source-Code.com/vb/scripts/Sh
    //     owCode.asp?txtCodeId=1794&lngWId;=10    //for details.    //**************************************
    //     
    
    Private Function ExecuteFile(ByVal FileName As String) As Boolean
    Dim myProcess As New Process()
    myProcess.StartInfo.FileName = FileName
    myProcess.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = True
    myProcess.StartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = False
    myProcess.Start()
    End Function