Public Function FileOpenInExternalApplication(ByVal sFilename_ As String, _
   ByVal sApplicationName_ As String) As Boolean
 
        Dim Path As String
 
        Dim Instance As New System.Diagnostics.Process
        Dim reg As Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey
 
        Try
            reg = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.ClassesRoot.OpenSubKey _
           ("Applications\" & sApplicationName_ & "\Shell\open\command\", False)
 
            ' reading default value:
            Path = CStr(reg.GetValue("", "no value"))
 
            ' format regvalue:
            Path = Path.Substring(0, Path.Length - 3)
            If Path.Substring(0, 1) = """" Then Path = Path.Substring(1)
            If Path.Substring(Path.Length - 1) = """" Then Path = _
              Path.Substring(0, Path.Length - 1)
 
 
            ' start application:
            Instance.Start(Path, Application.StartupPath.ToString & "/" & _
              sFilename_)
            Return True
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Critical, "Error opening " & _
              sFilename_ & " with " & sApplicationName_)
            Return False
        End Try
 
 
    End Function