Question

I have a PDF file that I have imported in as a resource into my project. The file is a help document so I want to be able to include it with every deployment. I want to be able to open this file at the click of a button.

I have set the build action to “Embedd Resource”. So now I want to be able to open it. However, When I try accessing the resource – My.Resources.HelpFile – it is a byte array. How would I go about opening this if I know that the end-user has a program suitable to opening PDF documents?

If I missed a previous question please point me to the right direction. I have found several questions about opening a PDF within an application, but I don’t care if Adobe Reader opens seperately.

Answer 1

Create a new Process:

string path = Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), "PDF-FILE.pdf");
Process P = new Process {
    StartInfo = {FileName = "AcroRd32.exe", Arguments = path}
};
P.Start();

In order for this to work, the Visual Studio setting Copy to Output Directory has to be set to Copy Always for the PDF file.