CreateProcessAsUser: how to open file with default application?

Question

I am using CreateProcessAsUser in C++ code to open an application impersonating a user. This works well, if an executable is given but fails with a non-executable file.

What is the simplest way to open non-executable files with their default application with CreateProcessAsUser.

I need a solution other than via:

cmd.exe /S /C ""path_to_my_file""

Answer 1

The simplest solution is as follows:

1. From the original process, process A say, use CreateProcessAsUser to create a new process, process B, say. Process B runs as a different user.
2. Pass to process B command line arguments that specify the file that you want to open.
3. From process B call ShellExecute or ShellExecuteEx to open the other file.