Pure .NET API for writing IE add-on, context menu, 
Internet Explorer commands in C#, C++, VB.NET

Internet Explorer extensibility

Earlier versions of Internet Explorer (older than version 5) allowed embedding binary objects only in page code and only as ActiveX controls. The release of version 5 opened a door to IE customization with binary Win32 code, in this way defining the Internet Explorer add-ons API for all later versions. Nowadays, by using the Internet Explorer SDK any developers can write their own Internet Explorer add-on that customizes the Internet Explorer GUI and accesses its object model.

Add-in Express for Internet Explorer is completely based on the IE add-ons API and IE SDK approaches. It implements all necessary COM-interfaces by means of native .NET components and supplies a pure .NET API for writing and deploying IE add-ons which makes Internet Explorer development more comfortable and deployment much easier than by using the Internet Explorer SDK. Add-in Express supports all types of IE GUI customization adhering to the true RAD paradigm. It wraps Internet Explorer toolbars, menus and panes with its .net components so that you can, for example, build your custom toolbar with a couple of clicks.

However, this is only a small fraction of what Add-in Express can do. With Add-in Express for Internet Explorer you needn’t ponder over COM-interfaces and ActiveX controls around which the IE add-on API is built because Add-in Express has already implemented all necessary COM interfaces. When using Add-in Express, you don’t have to bother about registering your add-ons in the Windows Registry as long as Add-in Express does it itself. Your Internet Explorer add-ons based on Add-in Express have access to the version-neutral object model of Internet Explorer since Add-in Express includes a version-neutral interop assembly for IE. Finally, you needn’t worry about deployment problems because all project templates included in Add-in Express contain a setup project that resolves all deployment issues of Internet Explorer add-ons.

Nowadays the most popular versions of Internet Explorer are 6 and 7. Both versions offer to IE add-ons developers the same capabilities and are based on the same SDK. Below you can find all features for extending Internet Explorer that you can use in your add-ons.

Browser helper objects

Browser helper objects (BHOs) are in-process COM components (dll-based) loaded by Internet Explorer each time it starts up. BHOs run in the same memory context as the browser and can perform any action on available Internet Explorer windows and modules. For example, your BHO can handle IE events, such as GoBack, GoForward, and DocumentComplete; access the Internet Explorer menu and toolbar and modify them; create windows to display additional information on the currently viewed page. All your IE add-ons based on Add-in Express are implemented as browser helper objects. More about Internet Explorer browser helper objects.

Internet Explorer commands

This feature allows you to add custom items to the Tools or Help menus and new buttons to the main Internet Explorer toolbar. Each command should be implemented as a separate COM-object and registered in a special registry key. See how to add a custom command to the IE UI.

Internet Explorer context menus

Internet Explorer enables customization of pop-up menus for several contexts. Thus, you can add your custom items for pop-up menus shown for anchors, controls, images, selection and tables. Internet Explorer allows you to customize context menus through specially prepared script files. Each of your own context menu items should be registered in a special registry key. See how to add an IE context menu item.

Custom Internet Explorer toolbars

Internet Explorer empowers you to create custom toolbars and populate them with any controls. Each custom toolbar should be implemented as an ActiveX and registered in a special registry key. See how to add a custom button and menu item to IE toolbar.

Custom Explorer bars

In addition to custom toolbars, your can add your own Explorer bars (vertical or horizontal) to the Internet Explorer GUI. Each Explorer bar should be implemented as an ActiveX control and registered in a special registry key. See how to create a custom Explorer bar.