'The specified executable is not a valid application for this OS platform

Question

I want to print a PDF file from C# code without user interaction.

I tried this accepted answer but it is not working for me.

This is the code I tried:

Process p = new Process();
p.StartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo()
{
     CreateNoWindow = true,
     Verb = "print",
     FileName = @"G:\Visual Studio Projects\PrintWithoutGUI\PrintWithoutGUI\Courses.pdf" //put the correct path here
};
p.Start();

I get this exception :

System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: 'The specified executable is not a valid application for this OS platform.'`

Try setting `UseShellExecute` to `true`. – Lasse V. Karlsen Sep 25 '19 at 16:42 — Lasse V. Karlsen, Sep 25 '19 at 16:42

bigtheo · Answer 1 · 2021-06-13T10:15:27.863

try this by add UseShellExecute=true it will print to default printer but if you want to print to a specific print change the verb print to verb printTo by spefiying the name of the printer Arguments proprety.

 private static void PrintByProcess()
    {
        using (Process p = new Process())
        {
            p.StartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo()
            {
                CreateNoWindow = true,
                UseShellExecute=true,
                Verb = "print",
                FileName = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.MyDocuments) + "\\doc.pdf"
            };

            p.Start();
        }

Yes, changes in .NET Core require us to use `UseShellExecute` now. See https://github.com/dotnet/runtime/issues/17938 — Dan Friedman, Nov 05 '21 at 15:18

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 25 '19 at 16:38

2

this is the correct way to write your code

Process p = new Process();
p.StartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo()
{
    CreateNoWindow = true,
    Verb = "print",
    FileName = "PDfReader.exe", //put the path to the pdf reading software e.g. Adobe Acrobat
    Arguments = "PdfFile.pdf" // put the path of the pdf file you want to print
};
p.Start();

answered Sep 25 '19 at 16:38

Mostafa Mahmoud

182
1
9

is there away to not open the **.exe** application ? – The None Sep 25 '19 at 16:58
nope, this is the only way to do this. unless you used a pdf library in your project. and there are many of them. for example you can use **IronPDF**, but it's not free. other than this i think this is the only choice you have. plus, in most cases the **.exe** that will run will not be visible, because you've set the *CreateNoWindow* property to true – Mostafa Mahmoud Sep 25 '19 at 17:12
i asked you because the **.exe** application appeared ! thanks – The None Sep 25 '19 at 17:24
you can try adding `WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden,` to the initialization of your `new ProcessStartInfo()` – Mostafa Mahmoud Sep 25 '19 at 17:34
you can also try to set the `WindowStyle` to `ProcessWindowStyle.Minimized` if the above didn't work – Mostafa Mahmoud Sep 25 '19 at 17:44
i did what you suggested for me and the **.exe** application [adobe reader] still being visible , however ,i used Spre.pdf library to do the hide work thank you :) – The None Sep 25 '19 at 18:38

alainlompo · Answer 3 · 2019-09-25T16:32:03.877

0

One thing is for sure wrong here: FileName should not be the pdf that you are trying to print but instead it should be the path to the executable process that you are trying to execute, thus the error message

edited Sep 25 '19 at 16:32

answered Sep 25 '19 at 16:27

alainlompo

4,340
3
31
41

so that means i have to put the path of the application that is .exe ? it doesn't make sense . the documentation says **Gets or sets the application or document to start.** – The None Sep 25 '19 at 16:35
What tool are you using to print your pdf, you should specify it so that it can be executed, then you it parameters including the path to your pdf. – alainlompo Sep 25 '19 at 16:37
i am using the Process class. now after a new answer added everything is fine but i don't want the **.exe** app to be open – The None Sep 25 '19 at 16:59

'The specified executable is not a valid application for this OS platform

3 Answers3

Linked